I RAN today! Woohoo!

[toymom74]

OK, so I've decided to make real fitness a goal this year, as I am at the top of a healthy BMI, and probably only have another 10 lbs or so to go. I have been exercising faithfully since last Jan., but I decided to kick it up a notch and face my exercise nemesis:RUNNING. Ever since middle school athletic class when we were REQUIRED to run EVERY DAY within a certain amount of time, and basically felt like losers if we didn't do well, I have had a serious aversion to running of any type. I dance, walk, lift, etc., but no running. Well, after hearing about the couch to 5K program over this past year, and watching several friends become triathletes and marathoners, I decided I would like to learn to at least do it without passing out, and eventually learn to like, maybe even love it. Everybody I know who has a body like what I would like to achieve is a runner. So, I registered on coolrunning.com and started TODAY--and I am so proud of ME! I completed the entire first day's program, and while not too strenuous for most people, it was a big accomplishment for me, just to get out there, and do it, without thinking of excuses to back out. Not to mention, I feel pretty good, too. So, I'm hoping this extra effort will be just what my body needs to rid itself of this excess BF and get me closer to where I want to be. Just wanted to share--I love this community!

Running to GOAL :joy ,
Belinda :wave

[Desertthorn]

Wow, thats great

[sadie147]

Congrats' Toymom!! You sound exactly like I was...I actually tried to fake asthma once to get out of running in grade school i hated it so much (didn't work they wanted a dr's note of course). I too never EVER saw myself running.

I did the C25K on coolrunning.com last may and i've now been running ever since (hit the 5k point in 6 weeks). The one thing I find is you really have to stick to it. I slacked off a bit before xmas and it was very hard to get going again. I still don't love running but i love the way it makes me feel and look after..and that's what keeps me going.

Good luck!!!! You'll be glad you started!!!

[2big4mysize]

woo hoo for you I;m a penguin wantabe so let me run vicaeiously through you.

[Emo_Boy]

AWESOME! :joy

[mere150]

I completely understand about the middle school athletics and the eventual aversion to running it causes. But you will soon come to enjoy it.

Good Luck with your new hobby (and it will soon become just that).

[ztachick]

Belinda-- congrats that is so great! i am trying to start walking or running, but i tried to check out that website and i couldnt register or i dont know maybe i didnt know what i was doing.lol what is the point in it and what all do u have to do.. thanks so much.. and keep up the great work

[toymom74]

Thanks for all of the encouragement everyone!

Stefanie:
The site is www.coolrunning.com. You do need to register, and there are several options to customize your start page. I'm not sure what happened, but you might try getting on again--could be they might have been server problems.

Basically, the couch to 5K program is designed for beginners. It is 3 days/week for 9 weeks, and each week, the program builds on the one from the last week. For example, the first week, each day you briskly walk 5 min, then alternate running 60 seconds, walking 90 seconds for an additional 20 min. As the weeks go on, the running portions increase in length of time, until the last week, when you are running the entire 20 min. For someone like, me, who tends to jump in with a gusto, this keeps me from overdoing it, getting burned out, and quitting because I'm too sore, fatigued, whatever. If those things don't happen, I am more likely to ENJOY it, which is part of the reason I wanted to do this in the first place.

Go try it out!

Happy running!
Belinda :wave