C25K – Couch-to-5K – These are training programs that are created with the idea that you can go from being a couch potato to running a 5K (3 miles) in about 9 weeks. In theory it should work.
Here in Gulf Shores we have done a morning workout routine for the last few months. Six days a week we are at the gym doing water aerobics, weight lifting or racquetball and the results have been very good. Both of us have lost weight and sculptured our bodies to a more fit profile.
We plan on being back here in November and we will pick up the routine again. Until then Art wanted to set some goal he could shoot for that would not require going to a workout club. He wanted something to carry him through the summer as we visit Indiana and Michigan. Since he used to run 10Ks years ago he thought it would be natural to start running again. After all…our daughter had twins in October, manages her home with them and a toddler, just finished a move into a new house across town, lives in the Michigan winter and has still has been motivated to successfully train for a half-marathon she will run in a couple of weeks.
So he did the usual…looked for a free app to use on his Android phone…then psyched himself up to get out there this morning and get going. After all…day 1 of the program simply has you warm up with a 5 minute walk, then alternate between jogging for a minute and walking for 90 seconds for a total of a 30 minute workout. Piece of cake.
Reality has a way of slapping you in the face.
The reality is that his body has completely forgotten how to run. Each step ended with a heavy heel-strike and after a few of the running intervals his feet and legs felt like they were made of pure concrete. He made it back and realized that the couch looked pretty good.
Getting old kinda stinks!!!
