It starts...
For some reason an awful lot of the regular podcasts I listen to at work have started talking about running and marathons. But it's not like these are recent developments for my favorite hosts. I'm listening to back episodes for most of these and somehow the host for show A is talking about training while host of Show B randomly brings up the subject while Host C is talking about the Princess 1/2 Marathon at Walt Disney World.
Now my sister and her new fiance like to run and they have done a few 5K races together. My sister has few health issues of her own that are not so visible and running has been like a "miracle cure" for her. I've never really given much thought as to the health benefits it could have for me. As stupid as it sounds, I've have a bit of mental block as far as running goes. The annual gym class devoted to running a mile (in grades 1-4 before I changed schools) were among the worst experiences of my life. Not only was I always dead last but I'd be in tears because the cramps were so painful and I couldn't breathe. Then my mom and I both got it stuck in our heads that we look silly when we run so it became a justification to never start.
Learning about the Princess 1/2 grabbed my attention . It's no secret that WDW is probably my favorite place to vacation. The company is flawed for sure but it doesn't change the fact that I've had so many good memories there. But I was more interested for my sister's sake. Maybe she could run the race and I could cheer her on. Of course she wanted to know if it was a ladies only event. She wouldn't want to run a race without her guy.
So I went to find the answer to her question and discovered that in January WDW hosts a marathon weekend. Saturday is a half marathon that involves running from Epcot to the Magic Kingdom and back. Sunday is a full marathon that involves running to all four of the major parks. I geeked out so hard I started running this week. This was something I really wanted to try. But due to the fact that I'm horribly out of shape and we have a wedding coming up, this goal will have to wait until at least January 2013 (if the world still exists. ;P). I don't want to make the long trip just to run a half marathon (in spite of the Donald Duck medal you get if you finish). I either want to do the full marathon or the "Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge" where you run BOTH.
Pipe dream perhaps...but I'm still young. It's getting me off my butt and into the sunshine...repeatedly...willingly. If I'm not running on a certain day, I've been walking during my lunch breaks. And if that Greg guy from Show A can run a marathon why can't I? Oh heck, if my sister's fiance can become the runner he is today (I DO remember what you were like in high school, buddy) why can't I AT LEAST manage a 5K?
So I started the "Couch to 5K" program this week. I really like the idea of a very slow buildup where you initially do more walking that running. Speed and distance don't matter. What matters is keeping your pace up for a certain period of time. I even found this podcast to help me out with when to walk/run. But I'm going to have to re-do Week 1. Surprisingly I'm not having a problem with respiratory exhaustion. I can take more breathing and energy-wise. But the muscles in my legs are hearing none of it. I now realize that I was probably in my best shape ever while in competitive marching band since I cant even walk at 128 BPM without cramping up. Back then I could crank it up to 156 BPM and beyond without breaking into a jog. Once the legs can take it, I'll start following the schedule a little more religiously.
Today was promising. I did my intervals with a new pair of sneakers today and the only pain I felt was in my feet, which I attributed to not having broken in the shoes yet. My shins took it pretty well.
My sister is really supportive of the whole thing. She's already talking about running with me on my first 5K this fall *knock on wood*.
As for me...the Disney marathon is a great goal to work towards but I'm hoping to get bitten by the running bug and it becomes an addiction. I could use a healthier addiction for once.
Now my sister and her new fiance like to run and they have done a few 5K races together. My sister has few health issues of her own that are not so visible and running has been like a "miracle cure" for her. I've never really given much thought as to the health benefits it could have for me. As stupid as it sounds, I've have a bit of mental block as far as running goes. The annual gym class devoted to running a mile (in grades 1-4 before I changed schools) were among the worst experiences of my life. Not only was I always dead last but I'd be in tears because the cramps were so painful and I couldn't breathe. Then my mom and I both got it stuck in our heads that we look silly when we run so it became a justification to never start.
Learning about the Princess 1/2 grabbed my attention . It's no secret that WDW is probably my favorite place to vacation. The company is flawed for sure but it doesn't change the fact that I've had so many good memories there. But I was more interested for my sister's sake. Maybe she could run the race and I could cheer her on. Of course she wanted to know if it was a ladies only event. She wouldn't want to run a race without her guy.
So I went to find the answer to her question and discovered that in January WDW hosts a marathon weekend. Saturday is a half marathon that involves running from Epcot to the Magic Kingdom and back. Sunday is a full marathon that involves running to all four of the major parks. I geeked out so hard I started running this week. This was something I really wanted to try. But due to the fact that I'm horribly out of shape and we have a wedding coming up, this goal will have to wait until at least January 2013 (if the world still exists. ;P). I don't want to make the long trip just to run a half marathon (in spite of the Donald Duck medal you get if you finish). I either want to do the full marathon or the "Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge" where you run BOTH.
Pipe dream perhaps...but I'm still young. It's getting me off my butt and into the sunshine...repeatedly...willingly. If I'm not running on a certain day, I've been walking during my lunch breaks. And if that Greg guy from Show A can run a marathon why can't I? Oh heck, if my sister's fiance can become the runner he is today (I DO remember what you were like in high school, buddy) why can't I AT LEAST manage a 5K?
So I started the "Couch to 5K" program this week. I really like the idea of a very slow buildup where you initially do more walking that running. Speed and distance don't matter. What matters is keeping your pace up for a certain period of time. I even found this podcast to help me out with when to walk/run. But I'm going to have to re-do Week 1. Surprisingly I'm not having a problem with respiratory exhaustion. I can take more breathing and energy-wise. But the muscles in my legs are hearing none of it. I now realize that I was probably in my best shape ever while in competitive marching band since I cant even walk at 128 BPM without cramping up. Back then I could crank it up to 156 BPM and beyond without breaking into a jog. Once the legs can take it, I'll start following the schedule a little more religiously.
Today was promising. I did my intervals with a new pair of sneakers today and the only pain I felt was in my feet, which I attributed to not having broken in the shoes yet. My shins took it pretty well.
My sister is really supportive of the whole thing. She's already talking about running with me on my first 5K this fall *knock on wood*.
As for me...the Disney marathon is a great goal to work towards but I'm hoping to get bitten by the running bug and it becomes an addiction. I could use a healthier addiction for once.