See Fluffy Run- The C25K Plan

All of my life I have never been a runner. I would only run when someone was chasing me. I would be happy with timing out in the Presidential Fitness Tests in gym class by walking and picking flowers along the way. So WHY would I volunteer to run and have a 5K as my goal? Because all my life I have never succeeded in athletics and have struggled with body image and I want to finally succeed. I am so tired of saying that I am going to lose weight with no particular plan in mind and my goal weight SO far away. I needed something that I could obtain short term that would be a definite check point on my way to my long term goal of losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle.

There's a "Couch to 5K" plan going around on social network websites and claims to get you (literally) off the couch and train you for a 5K in 8 weeks. Intimidating? Yes. Doable? Hopefully :)
I had originally saw a chart with the whole program laid out for you on how long to walk/run each day, but my big question was how was I going to keep track of when to walk/run while I was out there. I honestly didn't see myself being focused and disciplined enough to time myself so I then stumbled upon  an "app for that"! woohoo! It's called 5K runner for iPhones.

The app allows you to listen to your own music (I use Pandora Radio) while you have this app on in the background. It will tell you when to walk and when to run based upon where you are in the program.

The first week has you walk for 5 minutes, run for 60 seconds, then walk for 90 seconds (repeat 6 times), then walk for another 5 minutes.

My first thought and biggest fear? "Oh God, can I even run for 60 seconds?" What if I get out there, try to run for 60 seconds and die from a heart attack? How embarrassing would that be?!? I would be totally crushed if I can't even run the shortest amount of time. I don't know if I can take failing AGAIN.

So before I left my fear get the best of me and quit before I even try again, I went out for my first run. I actually did it! Did I die? No. Was a winded and sweating? Yes. But how good did it feel to actually do   it? Amazing. The hardest part? Getting out the door.

The best advise I've gotten about doing this program: When you think you are going too slow, go even slower. Just pick your feet up. I don't think I "run" any faster than I normally walk but I am allowing my body to get used to the movement of running. The worst thing that could happen is an injury.

So far I've completed the first whole week. Tropical storms prevented me from going out for a week but I am determined to stick with it and go out this week for week 2 of the program. I am excited to document my progress and thoughts as I go along.  :)