How I started my 'Couch to 5k' journey?
Date: 2018/08/12
This is my start of - hopefully - a series of posts I will dedicate to my 'Couch to 5k experience.
I was always overweight throughout my life, and I've never thought I could lose weight on my own. I was never a person who moved a lot, especially since I got interested in computers early in my life.
When I was younger I hated running. I don't use the word hate for too many things, but running is one of them. Our PE education was mostly that.
Going through cancer myself and losing family members to it changed my life. After experiencing losing so much weight - thanks to the surgery and long treatment - I never wanted to go back again.
Sadly to different circumstances I gained back the weight 4 years ago.
Veganism has opened my eyes, that both animals and humans are needlessly suffering on this planet. In the last 10 months I lost almost 20 kgs on my own.
As I started to losing weight I started experimenting with different physical activities. I own now a weight set, which I still use occasionally. The past few weeks I regularly walked 40-50 minutes daily. It's hot in here too. I am so proud of myself that I can do these things.
Then I found something entirely different, a programme.
What is 'Couch to 5k'?
Then I found the 'Couch to 5k' (or C25k) programme. It's a mobile app, but I don't have a smartphone (only an old tablet). Luckily there is an audio version, which is easy to use.
This program is 9 weeks long and by the end of it, it will help you to run 5 km (or 30 minutes) long. C25k gradually builds you up, and I tried it because of that. I'd say I am ultra-beginner.
Every week you run on 3 days, one rest day between them. The audio version is simple, it guides you through the walking and running segments with intructions and music. It's like a good coach in your ears. Hahah
First day
The first week is simple. You warm up with 5 minutes of brisk pace walk, then you switch between one minute of running and one and a half minute of walking. You repeat running-walking for 20 minutes, so you do it 8 times.
Today (12th August 2018) I said to myself: let's go! Honestly I though it will be really hard for me, but the first two segment give me a real confidence boost. I also though why PE doesn't do something similar with out of shape kids?
It was an unbelieveable feeling for me. I didn't run fast, but even my "coach" told me that, it's ok to start slow.
I now feel that I'll probably do the first week's programme two times, and when I feel comfortable I will move on to the next week.
I thought I will fall on my face on the first attempt, but now I have the confidence to continue. I will probably post about this weekly.