C25K - Two sessions complete!

The race is back on! Okay, not really a race. It's what I like to call a "wog" - walking/jogging combination.

Since being fitted with my new running shoes (sounding a little like Forrest Gump here), my knees are doing great (knock on wood). So, professional fittings do make a big difference! The man at Runners World in Tulsa was extremely helpful. Where else can you actually run around a parking lot in the shoes before you shell out $100 bucks?!

The schedule right now is fairly easy. I do get a little winded towards the end but my allergies are contributing a little to that since I'm running outside. I'm also listening to Robert Ullrey's Podcasts during the Couch to 5K sessions - I highly recommend them! Upbeat music and talking only when it's time to run/walk/etc.

You can find his Podcasts here: http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/podcasts/podcasts.html

I'm finding that I definitely feel more energized and less stressed when I get up in the mornings to run. Let's see if I can keep it up over the next 8 weeks!

Couch to 5K - Day One Complete!

New shoes were purchased, knees have healed, and I'm back on the program. I rose early this morning before the sun was up to get the first day in the Couch to 5K program completed. It was a great start to a beautiful Friday. Although I'm not much of a morning person, I can find the value in a beautiful sunrise and a crisp late summer morning.

The ol' knees held up great but there isn't much mileage at this point. We shall see how I'm doing in a couple of weeks!

Taking a break...

Well, my past sins prior to discovering the Couch to 5K program have caught up with me. As I tried to complete Week 1 of the training, my knees continued to hurt and I mean hurt all the time. Just jogging in the parking lot of the running store - trying to find shoes to help my problem - left me in a lot of discomfort.

So, I've decided to rest for a week. I hope to be able to restart the program after a week of R.I.C.E. - Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation - and some Ibuprofen of course.

Although I had just started this "running thing" of mine, I find that I really miss the time I had set aside for exercising. I'm cranky, tired and lethargic already. Basically the usual me I suppose, but one I'm trying to improve into a more positive, fit and energetic person.

The journey begins

I've never been a fan of running. I see the value in exercise but really - there's got to be a better way, right?

Plus, I've always questioned why my usually sane friends spent what little free time they had running around. Sure, I played tennis in high school but that's different. And that was a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away from my current life as a wife, mom and worker bee.

But I guess all the talk about running, marathons, healthy living, etc. have finally got the best of me. I've decided to give it a try. What do I have to lose, right? Except for those extra pounds I've been carrying around in my backside lately. And surely it will help my golf game because that's what I really want to improve.

All of you runners who surround me have been convincing, so I now begin my journey to see what all the hype is about. I'll keep you updated on my progress through the Couch to 5K training program. No guarantees I'll actually do a race, but at least I'll be able to say I could (if I wanted to!)