Those who have traveled the C25K road before me had me fearing the arrival of Week Four. “Oh, it’s gonna kick your ass!” was one of the helpful comments I received, so it was with a little trepidation that I laced up my running shoes and started down the driveway.For those of you fortunate enough to have never heard of C25K, it stands for “Couch to 5K” and its aim is to gently push you into the cardio equivalent of a wood chipper.
As I’ve previously stated, I’m hard at work developing a “Jack Sh*t C25K” program that, besides incorporating a much higher degree of “couchiness,” will also add some much-needed enhancements such as stopping at random houses and asking to borrow a sno-cone.
Week Four had me running for three minutes (without stopping), provided me a walking “rest time” of approximately a pica-second, and then commanded me to take off running again. FOR. FIVE. MINUTES.
I’d been dreading this extended interval, but once I was into it, a funny thing happened…
I got lost.
Not lost like during my first run when I just ran willy-nilly through the neighborhood and wound up having to call a cab to take me home.
No, I got lost in the running. In the simple rhythm of soles slapping asphalt. Got lost in a bunch of tissues and tendons working in tandem to do something it couldn’t (or wouldn’t) do thirty days ago. Lost in a good way… possibly the best way.
Then my iPhone app’s voice told me to stop, told me we were in the cool-down phase of this session.
Understand this about me and running: up until now, I’ve been a clock-watcher as I pounded the pavement. If I had to run for a minute, I’d check the clock at 50 seconds… and again at 45 seconds… and etc, etc.
But today the end came without watching, without warning, and I kept running just because… well, just because…
I have been warned that this running thing can get in your blood.
I have heard it said that it will make you test your faith in yourself.
I was told I’ll learn to love it.
Now I’m really scared.
Scared it could be true.
'Tis true. Promise. I am glad for you Jack.
ReplyDeleteFrom one Jack to another Jac to another....YOU ROCK!
ReplyDeleteHaha! You're hooked! It happens to the best of us ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Jack!
I had the same thing happen to me the other day. I got lost in the who excitement of pushing myself. I think that many times w/ the whole weight loss/fitness thing we think before we even start that we can't. And when we do, we are so surprised that we thing it's a fluke. Well, Jack Sh*t it's not a fluke, baby. Enjoy and run your ass off. Would ya!
ReplyDeleteYay, it sneaks up on you alright! Good on you Jack :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I could get to that point! I am currently repeating week 2 after repeating week 1, and 90 seconds of running is still nearly enough to kill me by the fourth or fifth session.
ReplyDeleteOh! You had your first runner's high! YAY!!
ReplyDeleteI just started week 2, but have been worried about week 4 because of all of the wonderful things I read about it online from others. Yours is the first post that gives me hope. Thanks Jack!
ReplyDeleteIt's incredible, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteCongrats JS!!!!! Me, I have been running for years but never got to that point you did.. maybe because I run so long that it seems forever.. I need to cut that back! ;-)
ReplyDeleteWay to go Jack!!! I think I might just enjoy running too, whod a thunk. When ya signing up for your first 5K?
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!! I'm about to sign up for my first 5K and need to get training.. It's a walk/run, but I'd really like to actually RUN it!! :) You're doing great!!
ReplyDeleteLet me know about that runner's high! I am still thinking it's a myth. :)
Great job!!!
ReplyDeleteI am in week 6 and I am still checking the time every 30 seconds and pushing myself not to quit after each minute. I am totally excited(read: jealous) that you were able to get past that.
ReplyDeleteOh ya! I had the same thing this weekend!! (I'm apesh*t enough to have developed a C2HM program though - couch to half marathon - 15 weeks of "kick my A$$")
ReplyDeleteBut I've got a jacket that ties behind me ready for the finish line....
How awesome is that! :) You really do learn to love running and you get to a point where you never want to stop. I never did the C25K. I kind of pulled a forrest gump and just started running.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on discovering running. You'll be running half marathons in no time.
:) It is true.
ReplyDeleteI can't run very far for very long just yet (especially with my bad knees), but it definitely is addicting.
ReplyDeleteI know, right?
ReplyDeleteI was scared of week 4, and decided to repeat week 5 because I was afraid I was going too slowly. You know, since it wasn't painful enough.
Now I'm in week 7. I can (turtle) jog for 25 minutes without a walk break. Holy sh*t. Even when I was 130#, this was impossible.
I think I even like it. You've got the fever too, now, doncha?
Who knew?
Good job Jack....can I get a sno-cone?
ReplyDeleteHey Jack,
ReplyDeleteFirst post. In my younger days I loved running. However, now am prone to shinsplints when just walking at a fast pace. I am going to try the C25K program and see where it takes me. Maybe a 5K before end of summer. Thanks for the inspiration!
Wow, very inspiring!! I just started C25K yesterday and I am more excited than ever!!
ReplyDeletewow. i think this is one of those things you have to experience to understand... so i just say "wow"...
ReplyDeleteAwesome Jack. I'm doin wk4 too and it's not as bad as I thought it would be.
ReplyDeleteAh, C25K. <3
ReplyDeleteI'm supposed to start week 6 this week but it's been pushed to the side due to a car wreck and other family garbage. I am so in love with running (okay, more of a shuffle than a run for me) and really just need to push aside the other stuff being thrown at me so I can carve out a little "me" time.
I love that you're enjoying it, too.
Way to go! Be careful though-I started on a self made c25k in 2002. On 3/27/10, I made my first attempt at a 100 miler (made it to 77). Running is very, VERY addicting!
ReplyDeleteYou found what runners refer to as the "zone" Jack. It's pretty amazing, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteCongrats! That was a big milestone! And I am SO going to ask the neighbors to borrow a snow cone when I run from now on! ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that Jack! I have an odd question for you. How old are you?
ReplyDeleteI'm still waiting for the day when I'll actually enjoy running. It has not cometh... Yet...
ReplyDeleteI don't know from this running business but I do know that I'm surprised every so often at the things I'm capable of that I wasn't before. Not only capable of, but enjoy.
ReplyDeleteWay to go Jack ... this trip you're on is incredible. Still lots of fun to be along for the ride.
p.s. keep the laces tied. don't trip.
I told you Jack :)
ReplyDeleteOne year from now you will be training for your first (maybe second!) marathon.
You are a runner.
I had a sneaking feeling you were going to get bit by the running bug....I'm really excited for you!! You continue to inspire me every single day....maybe when I get another 50 lbs. off my knees will be able to handle some jogging...I sure hope so....I'm incredibly jealous that all of my blogging buds are leaving me in the dust on this C25K thing! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is true! Running was something I dreaded, now I love it. I also found myself at various weeks of c25k with the energy and desire to go on, so I did.
ReplyDeleteWell done
I'm so very inspired by your dedication and willingness to challenge yourself. Keep it up the excellent progress!
ReplyDeleteHeh heh...now you see what we're all on about :)
ReplyDeleteWoo-hoo, sounds like you've been bit by the bug! Keep up the great (and funny) C25K work and updates, Jack!
ReplyDelete:)
ReplyDeleteYou think it's addicting now? Wait until you finish your first race...watch out :)
ReplyDeleteso cool! it is definitely addicting, on many levels. glad you are experiencing it.
ReplyDeletewow,since when did i miss you were doing Couch to 5k??? ive been a runner for almost 20 years and it always amazes me to read up on those discovering the joy(and pain,and that love/hate relationship) of running!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS on getting the bug...it happens to the best of us,so its best to to just accept it and hang on for the ride!!!!
Found THE ZONE so now you are officially a real, honest to goodness runner. Way to go!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, Jack! I can do that with other exercises, but running, not so much.
ReplyDeleteGood for you!! I was wondering...where do you keep your iPhone? I have not been able to find an armband for mine. When I am at the gym I can set it on the treadmill, but if I am walking outdoors I leave it home because there is nowhere to put it! Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteKicking butt! Isn't getting lost half the fun? :o)
ReplyDeleteAnd now you finally get it!
ReplyDeleteI remember when I was doing C25K I was so excited when I got to the week that had the 20 minute run. So excited that I couldn't wait to run it. So excited that I couldn't sleep the night before!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I know-I'm a sicko!
Oh, yeah, I was so proud of myself that I could do it too.
Enjoy the runs!
WOOOHOOOO!!!!!! I'm happy for ya!!
ReplyDeleteI hate to break it to you Jack...you are a runner.
ReplyDeleteSome of my friends tell me that running can be very addictive. I just wish I could swap my food addiction to a running addiction... sigh.
ReplyDeletenot much to say here Jack...but this:
ReplyDeletehot @ss...that was borrowed from sue..so you know.
Oh Jack...thanks for this post!! I start my week four on Saturday and have already started crying about it. I'm just gonna go for it and...keep running!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you are switching things up with basketball, strength training, and now running.
ReplyDeleteYou are truly making this a journey!
Great post! That is such an awesome feeling. I'm learning to run through the running room, and I still can't get over the fact that I can call myself a runner now!
ReplyDeleteI'm not doing the C25K, but following something similar from Runner's World and last week when I ran for four whole minutes without stopping? I was like high fiving imaginary people. I felt like I'd won the Olympics or something. It was so awesome!
ReplyDeleteAnd then I got sick, so kind of had to back track a couple weeks, but I know I can do it. Have you read Born to Run? It's my inspiration for running. It makes me feel like I can do ANYTHING.
"and its aim is to gently push you into the cardio equivalent of a wood chipper."
ReplyDeleteLOL!
my blog: http://mollymariegetshealthy.com
XOXO MOLLY MARIE
Oh my god. Could it be?! A RUNNING CONVERT?! YES! I am excited.
ReplyDeleteI love the feeling of getting lost in running, of the constant drive to push yourself to be better. It's one of the best feelings ever (runner's high, perhaps?).
It's great that your passion for running is brewing. When's the first 5K coming? Register for one yet? Because I think you should!
Jack Sh*t, Gettin' 5Ks!
And pretty soon marathons :)
Keep it up. Keep running. Keep pushing forward.
I had the same experience!! (also did w4d1 yesterday) I just kept running, even after I was prompted to walk. Yippee! 4 weeks ago I never could have done it. I'm still trying to figure out if it was me or my new shoes. :+)
ReplyDeleteThis is the second time this week that I've heard about the Couch to 5K program. Maybe that means I need to look into it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe thing I love most about the C25K, is that ever workout shows me that I can do more than I thought. Yesterday was Week 5 day 3 for me. That is 20 mins straight. I was glad that I have a running partner but I still did it. And showing myself that "I can" is a fabulous feeling.
ReplyDeleteHope, sir, you give me hope. You hand out hope like candy. Oh weight, strike that. You hand out hope like asparagus.
ReplyDelete