Getting Fit

For the past six weeks or so, I've been walking two to three times a week with Kim, my walking buddy and new good friend. I've been so blessed by our time together, and have seen a difference in my body as well as my energy level. We walk about three miles a couple of times a week. It feels good to get out and get exercise, to look in the mirror and know that things are getting *better,* that they're firming up instead of sagging down.

While in Chicago over the Thanksgiving holiday, my husband Bo's family along with all of the inlaws and grandchildren took our traditional Turkey Walk. We begin early, rousted from our beds by my father-in-laws incessant gobbling, his imitation of a sick turkey, and take a brisk Thanksgiving morning stroll through one of my inlaws local parks.

This year, there was a run being held at the same park where we were walking.

As I watched these runners pass us, and watched them cross the finish line, saw their fit, lithe bodies pushing themselves to complete a physical goal, I was inspired.

So, this morning, I decided to begin training for a 5K.

Yes, I, who hasn't run since high school track, am making a commitment to begin a regular running routine.

This morning, in the rain (see how dedicated I am?), I began the Couch Potato to 5K training program.

And I survived.

Actually, I more than survived. I feel great. Yes, it was work, even though it's supposed to be the very, very simple first week, but I'm so glad I did it. I just hope I can oust myself from bed on Saturday morning to do it again. Kim and I walk on Friday morning, so I'll still get my walk in, but I don't want to push too hard, so I'll wait until Saturday to do the 5K program again.

The jogging was hard. I found that, after I got to about 45 seconds of jogging, I was dying, looking habitually at my stopwatch at just that time and every few seconds afterwards until I got to sixty seconds. A minute and a half was just enough time to get my breathing back to steady.

It's supposed to take about 8 weeks to complete the program. That means by the end of January, I should be regularly running three miles, three times a week.

I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, here's the first four weeks' training schedule:


Week One:

Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.

Week Two:

Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.

Week Three:

Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following:
Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds)
Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds)
Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes)
Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)

Week Four:

Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes)
Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)