Couch to 5K W08 D2
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Running is tough. More so mentally than physically I think. I’ve noticed that if I spend the same amount of time on the elliptical crosstrainer then I burn almost as many calories but I feel fine afterwards. After my run I’m pretty buggered and take a good twenty minutes or so to start thinking like a normal human being again.
I have this problem in that I try to do too much. Take today’s run. My rational mind said you’ve already proven that you can do 5 km so take it easy and just build up a good base. Of course, super competitive inner Andrew takes over and says I WILL SET A NEW PR and sets the treadmill at a fast pace. Of course after about 18 minutes I felt absolutely buggered and had to slow down a lot for a while in the middle. I still managed to finish the 5 km and funnily enough I set exactly the same time as I did on Monday (29:36) which was really weird.
I bumped into one of my colleagues in the gym on Monday and yesterday he asked me if I would be keen to go running in the Domain one day.
I immediately thought OH MY GOD I’ll be too slow and am too fat and started to think how I could get out of it so I started to make an excuse, but then stopped and thought why not? So to cut a long story short we are going running on Friday and I reckon it should be fun. I want to transition to running more outside now that I am running longer distances so this should be a good start.
Oh dear, just take it easy… not good if you over do it, eh!
I’ve had people come up to me and offer to be my running buddy, and I’ve never taken them up, since I’m terrified that I won’t be able to keep up. Though I’ve found another reason - when I run, I get deep inside my head, and am oblivious to anyone else (if I’m doing it right) Never mind that there’s no way that I could hold a conversation with whoever I’m running with!
I know EXACTLY how you felt about going running with someone else. My running partner is WAY better than me and I cringe when we run on the road together rather than side by side on a treadmill. You will be glad you went!
Nice stats by the way!
I think we all have felt that. Running with other people can be intimidating, but you will enjoy it I think. Especially running outside, I think it is so much more fun than the treadmill.
Marshmallow: I know what you mean about getting inside your own head. And I’ll have to run without my beloved ipod!
Carly& Mary: Thanks for the encouragement. I’m looking forward to it.
Great job pushing yourself on that 5K - you have to press to improve.
Enjoy the run outside - I don’t know how you guys do all those miles on a “dread mill”
Thanks Chief. The dread mill has no hills unless you are feeling masochistic.
And the dread mill doesn’t get wet when it rains!
Hey Andrew, just found your blog from a comment you left on another blog. From another Andrew who is on the same journey as you, congratulations on your efforts and weight loss progress so far!
I think you are going to like running outside a lot more than on the treadmill. I think it is easier as well. Then again, I live in Florida where a ‘cold’ day here is still around 16 degrees, so it makes it really easy to get outside just about any day of the year.
Andrew(ajh): Thanks and welcome.
Jeff: I’m looking forward to it. Pretty much every running blog I read extols the virtues of running outside rather than on the dreadmill!
Now that I am back at this weight loss thing and Spring is right around the corner, I am hoping to start doing more of my running outside too. Looking forward to it!
“I have this problem in that I try to do too much. Take today’s run. My rational mind said you’ve already proven that you can do 5 km so take it easy and just build up a good base. Of course, super competitive inner Andrew takes over and says I WILL SET A NEW PR and sets the treadmill at a fast pace.”
Ahhh it’s like you read my mind. I also find it really difficult to just take it easy, and it’s what i’m trying to adjust to at the moment. Competition with yourself is all well and good, but it can be frustrating when you fail/injure yourself/get disappointed. Stephanie over at Back in Skinny Jeans recommends never to increase your workouts by over 10% a week and I think that’s helpful!
Good luck with your running buddy. You might surprise yourself! Like Marshmallow I get inside my own head, but if it’s a non-chat run, you’ve got someone next to you going at the same pace, it keeps you going that bit longer. Good luk!
Welcome back John. Long time no see.
Wundalucy: We had a chatty run and it was quite good.
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