I’ve been following, more or less, the plan over at Runtex for 5K training. I say ‘more or less’ since I follow the prescribed running/walking minute combinations, but I sometimes throw in extra rest days. Why? Cuz I’m a fat old bastard and I don’t want to hurt any of my moving parts just to follow the program. Even with extra rest days, I can feel my strength and more importantly my confidence building.

When I first started my walk/run or run/walk “program” I was doing good to run for two minutes and then walk for one. I was seriously winded after just a few minutes of running. Now, was I running too fast? Not limber enough? (I always walk first, for at least ten minutes, to get the heart / legs and stuff ready for movement). Just out of shape I bet. I dunno for sure.

Now I’m in the middle of Week 3 of the Runtex 5K program. Yesterday morning I ran 3K. Not fast, mind you, but I did it all the way through without stopping and without major gasping for breath or pain. At the (flat) park. I could not have done this even two weeks ago.

In the morning I’m scheduled for 40 min easy run/walk combo as needed and I know I can do it. (Yesterday was 26 minutes for comparison) That plus the ten to fifteen minute each way warmup and cooldown means I’ll be moving for more than an hour.

Benefits I’m seeing so far – my clothes might be fitting a little better. Weight pretty much the same (265 last Friday, but I only check on Fridays, I like to imagine I’ve lost weight since then). Soccer is definitely easier; I can run and not be as wiped out after, also not nearly as sore (soccer used to do a real number on my shins/ankles/feet/hips, now not as bad).

BTW, this is Skatemom’s fault. At least partially. Between her and Pam they have inspired me to run. I HATE running, or I did. I used to get really bad shin splints. I’m also heavy and that puts lots of stress on knees / feet. I prefer cycling – less stress, but less of a workout (at least the way I do it). I’m running to help lose weight and help with my soccer game. I must lose weight, I don’t want to die of a heart attack and leave my poor wife with three kids. Not that she’d really mind, but if I’m not there who would kill the bugs?

Anyway, Skatemom sent me an e-mail about a month ago suggesting a beginners program, and I started that and started checking around the web to learn about other programs and well now here I am, somebody that ran 3K! (woot!) Just thought I’d woot my own horn for a minute.