Running

I started a Couch to 5K program with the intention of getting healthier, losing weight and (hopefully) controlling my blood pressure a little more naturally.  The program I chose is 10 weeks and has me running three or four days each week with yoga and/or strength training the other days and one day of rest each week. 

I'm halfway through the fourth week and I've learned a few things about running and about myself.

First off, I hate running without music.  Actually I almost always have music on, so this wasn't a real shock.  I figured out how to create a playlist on my phone and chose a couple dozen songs that I thought would keep me motivated. 

Which brings me to the second thing I learned; a song called Harder to Breathe, no matter how catchy, is a crappy running song.  The first time it came on while I was running, I was nearing the end of my run and I was already tired and sore.  Having the lyrics, "it's getting harder and harder to breathe" in my ears did not help!!  That one came off my playlist pretty stinkin' quick!

And it turns out I have relatively flat feet.  After about two weeks of running I was feeling pain in my feet within minutes of starting.  A quick Q & A session with a shoe knowledgeable friend and I was on my way to arch support inserts!  I found some very pricey ones that come with several recommendations from friends, but until I was sure they would do the trick, I chose less expensive ones.  So far, so good!

I have also found that I need to run or workout first thing in the morning or it just isn't going to happen.  I am most definitely not a morning person, but by having my running clothes ready to go, I can get dressed and already be in the right frame of mind to get out the door.  I typically fix Bryant's breakfast and a little something for me, then I run and have a small snack when I get back, before my shower.  That routine seems to work for me, so I'm sticking to it.  Even on days like today, when I have an appointment in town that I have to leave at 8 AM for!  It took some mental arguing, but I did it!!  Six months ago, I would have laughed in your face if you'd told me I'd be getting up at the crack of dawn to go run around my yard and driveway, but here I am, doing just that!

By far the most depressing thing I learned is that my scale does not differentiate between muscle and fat.  This past week I had a fairly large weight gain and it nearly made me give up in frustration and rage.  How could I possibly have gained so much when I was exercising every day and eating healthy?  It didn't seem possible. 

Yesterday I had my annual physical and during my appointment, I mentioned to my doctor that I was four weeks into a C25K program.  Her immediate response was, "Did you gain weight this week?"  Yes, yes I did.  She explained that I was right on track then, because the initial loss is fat, but then there's all that muscle being built up and that weighs significantly more than fat.  So I'm trying not to let it get me down.  I know in my head that by working the program and taking the time to exercise and focus on my eating I am becoming healthier, even if my scale doesn't reflect it yet. I know it will eventually.

Which brings me to the most exciting thing!  I took my measurements before I started, so I could have a baseline to compare against, then again the second week and then this week.  I'm aiming for an every other week schedule during the 10 week program and then I'll drop it back to once a month, I think.  Anyway, my point is that while the scale is not being kind, the measuring tape is!  I'm losing inches, even as I gain weight!! 

I've tried lots of exercise programs over the years, but this one feels right, like it fits me.  I'm looking forward to running for a good long time!