Now running is as much for the tortoise as for the hare. No matter your size, shape, age, or ability, you'll find a place in the sport, and you might find someone like Waitz standing at the roadside cheering for you. She started a women's race in Norway that attracts more than 25,000 runners annually. "I wanted to encourage all women by downplaying the competition and by letting them know that it's not embarrassing to go slow," says Waitz."
Running is both convenient and efficient, providing one of the best workout bangs for the buck. Half an hour spent running will burn more calories and provide a better cardiovascular workout than 30 minutes spent doing almost anything else. It strengthens muscles and bones and builds endurance. For women seeking fitness benefits in a limited amount of time, running can't beat.
**Taken from page 262-263 of Runner's World: Complete Book of Beginning Running by Amby Burfoot
We are rolling into week 4 of our training program. This week, being week 4, it is supposed to look like this:
Monday: Run 8 min; Walk 1 min; Repeat 3X; Run 3min
Tuesday: Walk easy 30 min
Wednesday: Run 9 min; Walk 1 min; Repeat 3X
Thursday: Walk easy 30 min
Friday: Run 10 min; Walk 1 min; Repeat 2X; Run 8 min
Saturday: Run 11 min; Walk 1 min; Repeat 2X; Run 6 min
Sunday: Rest
But instead, it has looked like this so far:
Monday: Run 3 min; Walk 1 min; Repeat 5X
Tuesday: Walk easy 30 min
Wednesday: Run 3 min; Walk 1 min; Repeat 5X
And we actually started doing this last week Wednesday, so we have changed our training program for about a week now. Three minutes does not seem like that long of a time interval to run, but we are doing it for a few different reasons. We feel like our endurance level hasn't been built up to where it needs to be and we have also been experiencing different physical struggles. Nick has been dealing with shin splints and there was a point (as posted before hand) where I was physically and mentally exhausted. So we backed down a little bit to listen to our bodies. Sometimes thinking about this, I feel a bit wimpy or weak, but then I remember what a coworker said to me, "When I see people out running or exercising, I don't judge them, because at least they are doing something." And I agree! At least we are moving and working on it. I love our program and the book, but we have also kept in mind our personal challenges and how we feel. We have talked about whether we have pushed ourselves too fast, maybe we should have stuck with the 24 week training program where week 4 looks like this:
Monday: Run 2min; Walk 2 min; Repeat 7X; Run 2 min
Tuesday: Walk easy 30 min
Wednesday: Run 2 min; Walk 2 min; Repeat 7X; Run 2 min
Thursday: Walk easy 30 min
Friday: Run 2 min; Walk 2 min; Repeat 7X; Run 2 min
Saturday: Run 2 min; Walk 2 min; Repeat 7X; Run 2 min
Sunday: Rest
But I am not sure if we would feel as challenged in this program. There are a few things that we question when it comes to our bodies and how we feel emotionally, mentally, and physically. All I know is that we started training 4 weeks ago and other than some bumps, we are doing it and we are learning to take care of ourselves. Running gives flexibility and allows you to be challenge yourself when needed. It doesn't matter how you run (to some extent), what you look like, or when you do it, you are doing it! Nick and I have had a quote over the past 4 weeks, "It doesn't matter if we finish pretty, as long as we finish." Let me tell you, I am definitely not fast and I most definitely turn red as tomato and sweat!! But I am going to finish!
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