"C" is for C25K

Guess who is back on the Couch to 5K (C25K) bandwagon? This girl!  Here we are ready to walk run.

I started C25K when I was pregnant with Tully in 2010 and made it through Week 6 of the program.  When I stopped jogging at seven months pregnant it was a decent accomplishment.  My goal this time is to run in the Head for the Cure 5K North Texas for my friend, Stevie, on May 12.   I have eight weeks to get ready.  Each workout starts with a brisk 5 minute warmup walk.  Here's the plan:

Week	Workout 1	Workout 2	Workout 3
1	Alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.	Alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.	Alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
2	Alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.	Alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.	Alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
3	Two repetitions of the following: Jog 90 seconds Walk 90 seconds Jog 3 minutes Walk 3 minutes	Two repetitions of the following: Jog 90 seconds Walk 90 seconds Jog 3 minutes Walk 3 minutes	Two repetitions of the following: Jog 90 seconds Walk 90 seconds Jog 3 minutes Walk 3 minutes
4	Jog 3 minutes Walk 90 seconds Jog 5 minutes Walk 2.5 minutes Jog 3 minutes Walk 90 seconds Jog 5 minutes	Jog 3 minutes Walk 90 seconds Jog 5 minutes Walk 2.5 minutes Jog 3 minutes Walk 90 seconds Jog 5 minutes	Jog 3 minutes Walk 90 seconds Jog 5 minutes Walk 2.5 minutes Jog 3 minutes Walk 90 seconds Jog 5 minutes
5	Jog 5 minutes Walk 3 minutes Jog 5 minutes Walk 3 minutes Jog 5 minutes	Jog 8 minutes Walk 5 minutes Jog 8 minutes	Jog 2 miles (or 20 minutes).
6	Jog 5 minutes Walk 3 minutes Jog 8 minutes Walk 3 minutes Jog 5 minutes	Jog 10 minutes Walk 3 minutes Jog 10 minutes	Jog 2.25 miles (or 22 minutes).
7	Jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).	Jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).	Jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).
8	Jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes).	Jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes).	Jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes).
9	Jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes).	Jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes).	Jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes).

I've completed week 1 of training with no problems thanks to my super supportive husband.  He tells terrible jokes and pushes my buttons in general to keep my mind off the running.  Our dog, Zach, tags along too, and I usually don't mind when he stops for a potty break, so I can rest.  Tully has been a trooper so far and seems to be enjoying his morning outing, and I'm burning some extra calories pushing him along in the stroller.  Thank goodness for the BOB--it's a great jogging stroller!

I use RunKeeper on my iPhone to track our runs, and it gives cues for when to walk or jog.  When we first started C25K in 2010 I had to check my watch every minute or so, which was really annoying.  It's nice now for the little computer lady to tell me when to get my butt in gear.

The other benefit is that my sleep schedule is getting back on track.  Tully sleeps through the night, but I've really struggled going to bed at a decent hour.  We run in the mornings, and 6:30 AM comes waaaaaay too early, if I don't get my sleep.  I have to say going to bed on time is actually a lot harder than the running itself right now.  Hopefully in another week or two my body will get the message that sleep between the hours of 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM is important.

Wish us luck on our journey, and if you're in the Dallas area looking for a quick weekend workout, sign up for the 5K on May 12 to support Stevie in her fight against brain cancer by clicking the Head for the Cure image below!

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