The couch to 5k program - a beginners running program from www.coolrunning.com . I cannot say enough great things about this program. Its an 9 weeks program that takes you from running just one minute at a time to running for 30 minutes straight- or 5k with is 3 miles. You probably will not achieve the 10 minute mile pace in 9 weeks if you are very overweight and out of shape like I am. I still for the most part dont run 10 minute miles unless I plan on running just a mile or two. But pace is all relative, speed doesnt matter. Its moving your body that counts! I began it in February of 2006 and here I am a year later weighing 159lbs. Those 9 weeks was an amazing experience for me, my depression lessened, my weight dropped and life seemed a whole lot more bareable. When I graduated from the program I looked for my next training program. I found the One hour Runner program, also at coolrunning.com  and began that. I wasnt enjoying it, I hit a wall around 3 miles, I just couldnt run further than 3 miles no matter how hard a tried. I needed to re-evaluate my running. I started having some minor discomfort in my knees and decided to take a few days off and check out other programs. I realised I had to put away a bit of pride and start using walk breaks. Its the best thing I ever did for my body! In October I had a dream about running a half marathon. I hadnt really thought about running that kind of distance. I was a 6 miles maximum kind of girl. But I googled las vegas marathon which I figured would be the closest to my city. Dec 10th 2006 was the date. Only a few months away. I thought about it. I talked to my friends about it. I decided to do it.

Posted by Shelley in Whatever on February 11th, 2007 |