Hittin’ the streets

Okay, another title for this entry could be “tooting his own horn.”

Dig this – last night I ran for 20 minutes. Without stopping. Yes, me, lard ass, who a month ago had a hard time breathing after 90 seconds of anything faster than a walk, made it twenty minutes.

So excuse me for a moment while I say “hell yeah!”

I have a long way to go. Long like crossing the Atlantic in a rowboat is long. But damn I’m glad I made it this far.

Kym was asking the other day about what my schedule is like; it changes each week right now, so here’s what my next week will look like:

  • Sunday:
    Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
    Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
    Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
    Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)
    Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
    Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
  • Tuesday:
    Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
    Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)
    Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
    Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)
  • Thursday:
    Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2-1/4 miles (or 25 minutes) with no walking.

Last week (the one I just finished yesterday) was similar, but on Sunday I did three five minute runs, tuesday was two eight minute runs, and Thursday was a 20 minute runs. So basically I’m ratcheting up by a couple minutes here and there (which adds up, of course)

The whole program is explained here and is called the “Couch to 5K plan.” The idea is that by the end of nine weeks I’ll be ready to run 5K. The first week or two was much more walking than running. The idea is to get yourself used to the motion without burning out or getting hurt – so far I’ve had tremendous success on all of this. Not only did I run 20 minutes last night, but I feel fine today – not sore, able to climb stairs, etc. I normally run in the mornings (cooler, less traffic) but couldn’t yesterday morning, hence the evening run.

And for any of you still reading? Here’s a bonus photo of some weenie warmers. You’re welcome.

10 thoughts on “Hittin’ the streets

  1. Toot away!

    Too many people make lots of promises to improve themselves (come to think of it… that used to me me), and that is as far as they go… you are DOIN’ and you have every right to be happy about it.

  2. Yea, You! Good for you for picking a plan and sticking with it. You’ve made a lot of progress.

    And the wennie warmers? Those are hilarious!

  3. I applaud you on your run! I’ll even give you a Big ‘ol Texas ‘YEE-HAW!!’

    Those weenie warmers were obviously constructed by a woman…with a creative imagination. Or maybe a man, with a generous…mind.

  4. I am so proud of Our Silly Old Bear! Way to go Ben!

    Go Ben! It’s your Birthday! Go Ben!
    πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€

    Ok… toot your own horn & a peek at weinie warmers…, What are you saying? πŸ˜‰

  5. Good for you! That’s really great! πŸ™‚ I need to try the program – I’ve been running three times a week for a while now, but there just doesn’t seem to be much improvement anymore. I’m still not able to run 20 minutes without stopping! So thanks, I’ll try it your way! πŸ™‚

  6. I’m so proud of you! It is SO HARD!!! I’ve done 2 miles without stopping once or twice but I haven’t recreated that. LOL I figured out last night that I am working in my “anarobic” zone instead of my aerobic zone… so I need to dial it back a bit and slow down. I just feel like Im going so slow already!

    I did 8 miles this week and I am WHIPPED. I could feel it when I woke up this morning. I didn’t even sleep that well last night. I am now up to doing 3 miles at a time and I pretty much am doing run ten walk two…. although I don’t have a formal program yet.

    But wait…this isn’t about me… this is about YOU! I just love having someone to talk running with. πŸ™‚

    Are you going to sign up for a 5K? I think I am… but not till I can do 3 miles without it feeling like f#$%ing torture πŸ˜€

  7. Yee-haw! WTG, you SOB, you! So what I’m hearing is that I’d best be watching my back at the next White Rock??

    Great progress — you should be proud.

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