Couch to 5k: results after 8 weeks
How to start running even if you hate running!
Have you ever seen a friend or coworker finish a 5K or Marathon and thought I could never do that? I have for year thought this. Sure I can do boot camps and Beachbody work outs, but running. "No, I'm just not a runner" I would say.
Then one day I decided I'm going to do this!
At the time Bechbody had not come out with 30 day Breakaway. 30 Day Breakaway is Beachbody’s first-ever running AND resistance training program. So I developed a schedule of my own that included running days and different Beachbody programs including 80 Day Obsession and 21 Day Fix.
At First I was SLOW! And walked A LOT!
I had downloaded an app to help me know when to walk and run. It was helpful for the first week or so and then I realized I didn't need to walk when the app was telling me too. So I would be running through the times I was supposed to be walking. After a couple weeks of doing that I ditched the app. And just ran! When I needed to walk I would walk. I tried to keep to 30secs to a minute of walking and then I would start running again. Before I knew I was able to run a 5k. I am still not super fast, but I can do it.
Get Inspired
One thing I can say I learned during the beginning of my running journey was that I loved having that 30-40 mins of alone time. I started listening to 80s and 90s workout music because that is my era. But to be honest it wasn't really doing it for me. I then started listening to Pandora Fitbit Station, and that really didn't keep me going either. I then turned to Audible and started listening to books and that was enough to keep my brain engaged and stop over thinking my running. I found I could go faster and longer with an audiobook rather than music. I also found for me going faster and longer was totally a mental battle. If I was winded and wanted to stop and told myself I can't go anymore than I would stop, but if I told my self this is just your mind telling you to stop your body can totally do this, then I would be able to keep going. After my runs I turn on the music and walk down my heartrate. This is my favorite way to end my run.