Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Couch to 5K: week 6, take 1

There are three different workouts for this week. They are as follows:

Workout 1: a brisk 5-minute walk, then 5 minutes of running, 3 minutes of walking, 8 minutes of running, 3 minutes of walking, 5 minutes of running.

Workout 2: a brisk 5-minute walk, then 10 minutes of running, 3 minutes of walking, 10 minutes of running.

Workout 3: a brisk 5-minute walk, then 25 minutes of running with no walking.
Running Girl
I only make it through the first day of week 6. Then my left knee packs it in and I have to take a break for a month or so. But Jane is still busy jogging, and I'm busy buying jogging clothes:
Jane: Am meant to do the big 25 min run tomorrow... Feeling scared!
Jean: You are so far ahead of me now! How are you finding it?
I bought a pile of jogging clothes from Target today. Sick of coming home from a jog and having to wash everything I have on! Well, I'll still have to wash it, but at least I won't have to delve into my not-that-huge wardrobe...
I had to prove to myself it was worth the cost. Getting to 20 minutes and enjoying it did that!
Jane: Oh yay for jogging clothes! I never thought I'd love the sight of bike pants so much - can't run in shorts - they just ride up the whole time. Most of my stuff is Target too - good range, good prices.
Are you running this weekend?
Jean: Yes, I will be running today or tomorrow, but I'm up to day 1 of the week you just finished. I was sick with a tummy bug that other week!
My problem is I need a pocket for my iPhone, so leggings and bike pants are mostly out. I went for something looser with pockets. I've been running in a pair of old, cream-coloured 3/4 pants with a tight waist (they need to be tight or they fall down!). Effective but kinda daggy. Don't feel comfortable about showing my legs in shorts. How vain am I?!
Jane: Yes, it's all about problem solving (e.g. phone) whilst considering what you're comfortable wearing in public! I invested in a running band that holds my iPhone and it's terrific - never need to worry about what my phone's doing and it means I can go for the over-the-knee style bike pants. It was $30 from Rebel and it's mostly made out of wetsuit material except for a clear plastic part for the front of the phone.
You caught me after just getting home from the last run of week 6 - 25 mins. I was scared it would be too hard, but it really wasn't. Might go back to bed now though!
A few weeks later I invest in a waist band for my iPhone and a new pair of running shoes.

After day 1 of week 6, my running comes to an abrupt (temporary) halt, and I learn:
  • jogging clothes aren't essential, but they help - as does a spot to put your smartphone
  • good jogging shoes, on the other hand, are essential. So are stretching exercises.
  • you need to take care of your knees. You need to take notice when your knees are getting sore. More about that next week.

It's a slow journey back into jogging, but I don't want to give up yet. 


How did you find week 6 of Couch to 5K?

1 comment:

Luke Turner said...

Hey there - I see a take 2 post in there so you must have overcome the knee injury. I'm did c25k last year, loved it then promptly hurt my back and had to give it away. Anyway, back again after recovering and up to week 6 when my phone died! Came across your post when I was googling the runs for this week so I can do them using a stopwatch until my phone is back :) Best of luck with your running.