"I run."...and so can you. Couch-to-5k

I posted this to my blog in August of last year. Since then I have completed 4 half marathons. I never, ever, imagined that I would be able to run. I was always the fattest kid in gym class and hated PE because I could never keep up with the other kids.

WLS has given me so much freedom to move, to be active, to RUN!!!  So if you are thinking, dreaming, comtemplating, hoping, that maybe just MAYBE you can do a 5k, that's just how I started.  I began my first attempts at running about 3-4 months after weight-loss surgery in 2007.

If you are ready to step up to the challenge, here is a fantastic regimen to follow that would prepare you to complete a 5k (about 3 miles) in 6 weeks: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

It's possible, you can do it. One step at a time. So please read on....

 

Last year I was in the park with my personal trainer, we meet twice a week and during one of our workouts back in September he brings out two orange cones from his equipment bag and sets them about 25 feet apart.

“I want you to jog to the cone, and then jog back” said trainer.

“Umm yeah, no” and I shook my head.

“Why?”

“I don’t run.”

After several moments of fruitless negotiations trainer finally had enough and simply stated: “Ok, do it.”

Reluctantly, I shuffled out to the cone. It wasn’t that far away. I turned around and went back to the cone. I was not gasping for air, I did not want to fall down and die. I was fine. At that point I had lost about 30 pounds and didn’t realize that I had more mobility. I was amazed with myself.

“Good!” exclaimed trainer, “now do it four more times.”

….and that was how it all started.


When I went on my evening walks I would challenge myself to run to the next tree, trash can, park bench and often I would continue running past it.

In December I had already done a few 5k walks when I entered The City of Angels 5k with my friend Catt. In reality, it was merely a 3.2 mile photo op for us as we walked through the streets of downtown LA and took pictures at every turn, sign and water station. We laughed, talked, and caught up with each other until we came to the Hope Street tunnel.

“I think I want to run a little bit.”

I began to shuffle and Catt (bless her) walked briskly along side me and we kept talking. Then she said “You’ve been shuffling for quite a while.”

I turned around and looked; I had ‘shuffled’ through almost the entire tunnel.

After that I began to gather information and talk to my friends who run. I went out and got my first pair of running shoes. I was still reluctant to say I was a runner. I felt more like a wanna-be runner.


I don’t remember what it was that originally sparked my imagination but sometime back in January or February I decided that I wanted to do a half-marathon. I signed up for the Disneyland Half Marathon and didn’t look back.

Over months of training my distance and endurance began to grow. I still don’t run very fast, but I can run farther than I ever have in my entire life.

I entered the Santa Monica Classic 10k and Kirsten ran along side me. I had never run 6.2 miles before in my life!! I ran with my friend and to be honest the first 3 miles really sucked. I was tired, cranky and really not excited about it at all. Somewhere along the way I lightened up and even though I was one of the very last runners to cross the finish line, I did it.


After months of running, reading, training, and preparation it is finally here. Sunday I will run in the Disneyland Half Marathon, the farthest distance I have ever run in my life.

I’ve been worried about completing the run within the required pace so that I don’t get picked up by the “van of shame” as I refer to it….a veryhumbling van ride back to the finish line.


Whether I finish or not I have tackled a huge challenge and it has changed me:

• When I shop for clothes, I want to buy clothes to run in.
  
  
• People ask ME for advice on training, exercise,fitness.
  
  
• My most expensive shoes I own are for running.
  
  
• When I sit in my cubicle at work, I day dream about being outside….running.
  
  
• In the past year I have lost 103 pounds and over 13 inches from my hips.
  
  
• I feel stronger and healthier than I ever have in my life.
  

When I talk about marathons, triathlons, and century bike rides….it’s no longer from a wishful, longing, point-of-view. They are now all things that are tangible and within my reach.


I’m an athlete now.

I run.

You ROCK Monica and are a true inspiration to us all.

I wish I had known you were going to be running the Disney Half Marathon... I worked it and cheered on everyone as they ran past my hotel. ( I work at the Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel)

I am looking forward to running when I can later on after WLS, more so I am looking forwards to running around after my son.

I ran Disney last year, I wrote that blog entry last summer.  I'll be running Disney again next summer I'm sure!

Hey Monica...thanks so much for you post. I am just almost 2 years out and have been at my goal for a long time now but still havent really done one of the things I always said I wanted to do and that is run. I have done 5k's for fund raisers and have walked, waddled, limped and dragged my way through them but always admired those that were zipping past me. I started trying to run on the treadmill at the gym and am so uncoordinated, I was too afraid of getting tired, staggering and falling in front of everyone so I didnt do it for long but I will for sure give the regimin you posted a shot! 

I am going to start a training program for 16 weeks in Brea.....I am scared, but am gonna do it.  I really want to run and my goal is to do the OC half marathon next year.  This weekend I am doing the Race for a Cure in Newport.  I did the OC fair 5k and beat my first time by five minutes doing the second one.  That is what got me motivated.  That and the fact that I have lost 5 pant sizes and don't huff and puff anymore.

I noticed a huge loss in inches around my hips when I began running, its a big motivator.

I don't think I ever stop being scared. I'm nervous at every race, you just have to bit the bullet and go for it!

I am at a stand still and hopefully the running will get the weight coming off again.  I am thinking of showing up to the LB coffee on Saturday ...I have a ton of clothes to get rid of. 

The Couch-to-5K program is AWESOME. I have tried to run before, especially in the 80s when it was very popular. But I never could do it successfully before I tried this program. It really does train your body to run.