Couch to 5K Training Program: Week One

In my efforts to become a runner, I'm following Running Mate's Couch to 5K training program using the iTunes podcasts. I'm documenting my progress in order to stay accountable and maybe even motivate some other would-be runners out there! Read more about this 5k training program and why I got started here.

This week's training schedule includes three workouts. Each running workout starts with a 5-minute warm-up, followed by 2-minute running intervals and 3-minute walking intervals, alternating for a total of 5 running intervals. The workout concludes with a 5-minute cool-down.

Day 1: I was eager to get started on the running program, and certainly wasn’t lacking for motivation as I prepared for the first run. Experienced runners will probably laugh I have to admit I was preparing to find the 2-minute running intervals really difficult; in fact, I half expected that I wouldn’t be able to run the full two minutes. I was pleasantly surprised (OK, thrilled!) to find that the running wasn’t bad at all. I brought my husband along to help keep me motivated, and while I did trail behind him a bit, I tried not to worry about my speed and instead focused on endurance, which really helped me get through the full workout. The last of the running intervals was a little bit of a struggle, but not the misery I was expecting to face. I returned home feeling pretty awesome; sure, it was only a total of 10 minutes actually spent running but I still consider it a victory!

Day 2: I was on my own for this running workout (other than my one-year-old in his jog stroller), so I was a little bit worried I’d lose motivation and quit midway through. Fortunately, my first day’s success wasn’t a fluke! I made it through this second workout without incident, and was surprised that the 2-minute running intervals actually went by pretty quickly.

Day 3: My family is visiting from out of town, and I was lucky enough to have my lovely sister agree to go running with me. The first two workouts weren’t too challenging, but I have to say that the running intervals absolutely flew by this time as my sister and I chatted away. Note to self: find a running buddy (preferably one who likes to talk)!

Let's keep running right into week two!