Recently, I decided to take advantage of the springtime weather and move the cardio portion of my workout outdoors. My choices were yardwork (my wife Anita’s idea) or C25K.In case you’re abbreviationtionally challenged, C25K stands for “Couch to 5K” and it’s supposed to be a good program that allows you to work your way up to running 5K while improving your ability to mutter profanities under your breath and almost die.
In order to make it a little more idiot-proof, I downloaded an iPhone app to yell at me what to do. This time, I went to my gym’s indoor track because I didn’t know what I was doing last time and wound up running to the next town over and having to take a cab back.
I don’t know if it was any easier on Day Two, but at least I took notes immediately afterwards so I could share my findings with you…
- I’m no physician, but I’m thinking this phenomenon I call “Burny Lung” can’t be a good thing.
- Ditto “Hurty Foot”.
- Memo to self: the amount that you impressed other runners by concentrating on your “perfect form” was probably offset by how hard you crashed into that wall.
- It’s been a while since you went to the mall to see if they sell “rocket shoes”. Maybe somebody’s invented them by now…
- Still searching for the “runner’s high” experienced trailblazers speak of. As of now, all I’ve felt is a “runner’s low”, “runner’s medium” and “runner’s crying jag”.
- If that little old lady passes me again, I’m so gonna trip her.
- In the JSC2K program that I’m totally developing once I’ve completed the traditional C2K, there’s going to be much more “couchiness” and we’re going to put longer intervals between the runs (say… two months).
When I’m on an elliptical or bike, my mind likes to wander to far-off places. I’m thinking about what I’m going to have for dinner or maybe the next blog post I’m going to write and I feel like I’m multi-tasking and getting stuff done.
When I’m running on my little C25K program, all I’m thinking about is how that famous jogger dude dropped dead.
From jogging.
x
See Jack, you've got it all wrong. You're putting the spaces in the wrong places. It's not a C 2 5K, it's a C 25K.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm like you I don't think the burny lung is good so stopped that C25K program :)
ReplyDeleteGee, i don't think i'll EVER be trying this program!! lol
ReplyDeleteway to go jack! good luck with the program. I absolutely believe in interval training!
ReplyDeleteBurny lungs will only last a short while. Then you'll transform into superhuman power lungs.
ReplyDeleteHurty foot though might actually be a bad thing. You could always use hurty foot to trip that old lady. Make her get hurty foot too.
Regardless, keep it up with the program!
Once you get past burny lung, you'll find runner's high. Hurty foot though? Well, it's probably just the beginning of achy body.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI have the hurty foot, but I also have the crapola, Im going do this, so afterwards, I have the icantwalkf***sh**.
ReplyDeletei do like the podrunner interval training podcasts that are free on itunes to let me know what to do for c25k...they play music for the appropraite heart rate you should be working at, and beep when you are to go from walking to running and back to walking again. you should check them out...
and ps, I love your blog...I know, you have over a 1000 followers...you hear this a lot, but it always feels good to hear it again, right?
kelly
imaskinnymini.blogspot.com
It still beats the monotony of the same four walls and equipment in the gym I guess. And you can totally accessorize with all kinds of running gear that will make you look like a pro whether you're any good at it or not. Just steer clear of the little running shorts...I've never seen a dude yet who looked any good in them.
ReplyDeleteBurny lung will go away. Hurty foot probably needs some good sport insoles. That's solved mine and helped my knees too.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to try to C25K program once I get my endurance up a little higher. Hopefully you will have put the finishing touches on your JS version by then, it sounds right up my alley, haha. Not looking forward to the burny lung or the hurty foot.
ReplyDeleteHey, I've got another c25k buddy! Nice to have you aboard. What I've noticed is running I'm my treadmill is so much easier than running on pavement. I was on week 4 but had to go back to week 3 when I started running outside.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
There is an Iphone app for this?? Cool! I'm going to try that
ReplyDeleteIts good to know that i am not the only one that gets burny lungs..lol. I'll stick to running outside so I don't hit walls. Instead little old German women on bikes will either pass me or run me over..
ReplyDelete"program that allows you to work your way up to running 5K while improving your ability to mutter profanities under your breath and almost die."
ReplyDeleteHe hee. Yes I know that program. Very well :)
It gets better honest...even with asthma I actually miss running now that my knee is giving me issues.
Can I be your running coach instead????? PLEASE??? Not really into underwear shopping my friend :-)
ReplyDeleteLike i said before I have a feeling you are going to be running marathons soon...I can see right through you, I think you are enjoying this....ok maybe we are enjoying reading about it, you are too funny Jack!
lol too funny Jack. I have tried the C25K like 4 times now and my knees just won't let me continue. So I've decided riding the bike or taking a real walk/jog will have to do. I like the mind wandering thing myself *smile*.
ReplyDeleteLOL Believe it or not it does get better. Burny lung sucks big time. It's just one of those areas that has to be strengthened. I had "gasping for air" and "oh my god, I think I'm going to die" lungs for a while. Still get gasping for air lungs but it's getting better. It takes time. Be patient.
ReplyDeleteJack, I used to not be able to run for 12 seconds. Seriously.
Runner's high is the only thing that keeps me going. Sometimes I skip it and go straight to runner's hangover. ;-)
I'm loving these updates on c25k. You have such a great perspective!! :)
ReplyDeleteToo funny!
ReplyDeleteI was most irritated with the tone of the guys voice. Just a little too happy and encouraging! Once I didn't have to listen to him anymore I was able to enjoy running and let my mind go.
Oh, wait, my mind was already gone. nevermind.
Ha Kelly! Very funny! Runner's hangover... awesomeness.
ReplyDeleteSo, I assume that you postponed your weighing in Jack Sh*t so that you could save up your pennies for your trip around the WORLD! You aren't putting on extra weight just because of that are you? Oh. Good.
I'm SO with you!! I hate running. hate hate hate. But it's so goddamn efficient that I force myself to do it. Mentally I've got a gun to my head every time I run. Last night was especially funny - I rounded a corner in my neighborhood (there's a great one mile loop that I do as many times as my torture, er, training plan says) and there was a fire truck. I felt relief - as in "how did you know this hurt so badly!?!"
ReplyDeletethen I realized there was an actual emergency they were there for. And I had to keep running. @#%$%&^#$%#
Burny lung, achy feet, and crying jag I'm familiar with. I don't experience a runner's high - never have. Runner's induced schizophrenia however seems to manifest itself in my with every run. The voices tell me all sorts of things - last night the voices gave me a name: Forest Plump.
looking forward to following your training!
How your knees get spared from running is a miracle. Keep at it. Run, S**tboy, Run!
ReplyDeleteI started C25k yesterday. I didn't notice much of burny lung or hurty foot, but got a bad case of stabby side.
ReplyDeleteI did end up about 6 blocks (we have seriously long blocks in Minneapolis) from where I started despite turning around at the half-way point.
Did you sign up for a 5k at the end of your training? I think you should organize your own.
Andrew
Go for it Jack! Run, because you can!
ReplyDeleteI started c25k yesterday Jack. I also experienced 'burny lung' and 'noodly legs'. Thankfully I have a day of rest before I get to inflict torture to myself again. Went on a 2 mile bike ride last night with my daughter. I never realised there were slight inclines around my house, I thought all the roads were flat! Slight inclines are HARD to pedal. But oh so fun. I enjoy ringing my bell at random moments. Thanks again Jack.
ReplyDeleteDitto the tripping fit old ladies part! ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt really does get easier and you can always scale back the running even more in the first week if you need, and don't be afraid to repeat weeks. The burning lungs really aren't that bad for you.
ReplyDeleteTry running at a slower pace, a pace barely above a fast walk, that's where I started with c25k, on Sunday I finished a 5k in 34 minutes, it used to take me 45 to 50 to finish in the first weeks of training.
I also recommend signing up for a 5k during or after your program it really does give you a reason to get out there and do c25k. I did 3 my first on Jan 31 I walked/ran (did my week 5 day 1 run) in 40 minutes, the second I ran the whole thing in 38 minutes and the last in 34. The program is worth it. I didn't get the runner's high thing but I felt good after I finished.
Good luck and keep it up :)
Yay!!!! I just started the C25K program too! I just finished week 1. I can so related to this post....too funny.
ReplyDeleteSee, I just said I was going to start C25K! Maybe I will hold off.
ReplyDeleteRight now I can only do 5 mins. on the elliptical before I start feeling death coming for me.
:)
Julia
http://jewliagoulia.blogspot.com
I called it "firelung"... ugh.
ReplyDeleteIt really does get easier, though. I've made it through Week 3 and when you look back from there to Week 1, it's amazing. I can't wait to finally finish that thing. Then I'll know that I can do it. It's gonna rock :)
Firelung and burny lung are two very reasonable descriptions.
ReplyDeleteI gave this a try yesterday (day one) and that was probably the biggest complaint of all. So not fun. :-/
Gonna keep at it though. If it doesn't go away, maybe I'll turn into the Human Torch. I've always been told I'm a flamer.
--Ron
I've started and stopped the C25K program about 4 times now. Can't seem to get past what I like to call 'lava lung' aka burny lung. And why can no one else explain why I produce extra saliva when I run in 'spring' temperatures?? Run, run, spit, run, spit, spit. It's sexy.
ReplyDeleteNow I remembered why I stopped.
Burny lung and hurty foot go away soon enough. Keep at it Jack!
ReplyDeleteAh, Homer. I posted about running yesterday as well, along with that same picture of Mr. Simpson. I did W2D1 yesterday, and have yet to find the runner's high as well.
ReplyDeletehttp://backoffimstarving.blogspot.com/
LOL I knew running was in your future Jack. I started with C25K and exactly one year later I did a marathon! Okay, that was 6 years ago...but, if I can do it, anyone can. The more you do it the better it gets!
ReplyDeleteRunner's high is real. Won't happen till you can run continuously for a while.
Go Jack Go!
mmmm....running.
ReplyDeleteI think I would rather have the tar beaten out of me in jujitsu class.
lol.
Your doing great though.
Can't wait to see the photos of your runs.
I completely understand how you feel about this program. I thought I would die the first several times I did it, but now I'm on Week 7 & I absolutely love it !
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
I'm a bit nervous to embark on C25K again, but what the heck. It's only my joints.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I nominated you for a creative writting blogger award. Go on and get it! *rings triangle dinner bell*
Burny lung... lol!
ReplyDeleteProud of you, Jack.
my partner can't understand why I am in fits of giggles.What a great post. I don't know 'burney lung' but 'hurty foot' I can relate to.
ReplyDeleteI'm aiming to run a %k race in June - its for charity . I am fairly sure I won't run much more than 2K if that - but maybe one day,,,,,,,,,,,
The runner's high comes just after you learn to deal well with the runner's crying jag. For me this was around month 4 and mile 7. Keep it up, you're getting there, burny lungs and all!
ReplyDeleteThe "burny lung" thing continues on for a while...I wish I could tell you otherwise. But one of these days, you're going to be done with the running and you WON'T have it - and then you're going to be all proud of yourself. :)
ReplyDeleteKeep up the great work...and the great writing. This post I found especially funny. :)
Starting mine next week!
ReplyDeleteBurny Lung sounds like me after a flight of stairs now anyway, so why not burn some calories in the process.
i got hurty foot alot on this program
ReplyDeletei think i need to lose more poundage before i tackle it again.
For your outside run Sparkpeople.com (its free) has a program where you can map out your route to figure out the distance you go and if you do it ahead of time you'll know your route.
ReplyDeleteJamie
Yaaaaay! It gets better. Just keep at it. In 2 years I went C2HM (half marathon). :)
ReplyDeleteThe burny lung will go away with time! Don't know about hurty foot, I'm not a trained medical professional.
ReplyDeleteI like how the voice says "Run."
Alison :)
I can see it now the Jack Sh*t Gets Fit Annual 5K Walk/Run. You can serve sushi at the end of the race! :-D
ReplyDeleteRunning into the wall is my signature. :D
ReplyDeleteYou are not going to drop dead! :-) Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! your 1st C25K post inspired me to start my own...I started yesterday! Didn't get the burny lung, but noodly legs...omg. And I have hurty foot all day, every day, even with orthotics. Funny though, I didn't even think about it when I was running. (ok, it was jogging, slowly) The dogs were a bit confused...mamma don't usually run. Can't wait for tomorrow morning - day 2!!
ReplyDeleteI think you either are a lover of running or you are not... I love it personally and hate that I can't do it at the moment... but if you hate it why not do swimming or cycling or skateboarding or dancing or kayaking or something else instead???
ReplyDeleteYou can do it!
ReplyDeleteThis post had me rolling on the floor. I am going to keep it in mind as I am "training" for a 5K walk in April. I could have used some laughs as I slogged through my two mile walk tonight.
ReplyDeleteummmm, where do I sign up for the Jack Sh*t 5k marathon?
ReplyDeleteYou are putting one together right?
And trust me, if this fat girl can get to week 9 (I'll be officially graduating the c25k this Thursday), then your skinny ass can do it.
Yeah, even when I was in high school got to where I could run about four miles without any problem, I still never experienced "runner's high". Maybe that's too little of a distance? Or maybe I just don't like running. I'm thinking it's the latter.
ReplyDeleteBurny lung and hurty foot can't be good. I love my yoga teacher because she's always telling us it's not supposed to hurt yet we somehow get the benefit.
ReplyDeleteHurty foot can be from shoes tied too tightly. Make sure they are loose enough... seems crazy but, I was getting shin splints & achy feet ALL the time, until I discovered, I was tying my shoes too tight.
ReplyDeletei agree with ...., I still never experienced "runner's high". Maybe that's too little of a distance? Or maybe I just don't like running.
ReplyDelete