I finally started my cardio program this week. Having done some jogging in the past (I even ran a 10k once) I found myself drawn to Cool Running’s Couch-to-5K Running Plan, which it seems like a lot of other folks are trying as well. The idea is you start easy with mostly walking and some jogging and you make slow progressions over the course of 9 weeks until you are able to run the full 5k. This seemed like a sensible approach to me.
I’ll be doing my cardio on a treadmill, at least until I feel like I won’t be looking like an idiot to the outside world. The first thing to decide on was what pace I wanted to do my brisk warm-up walk, my normal walk and my jog. I decided on 3.2 mph, 3.0 mph and 5.0 mph. These times are very slow. For example at a pace of 6 mph you are still only talking a 10 minute mile. According to the Man Test I need to get up to an 8 minute mile just to be average. So I thought I picked a reasonable pace.
Nope. It kicked me in the ass.
Including the 5 minute walk the program is supposed to take 25 minutes. I lasted 12.5. I just couldn’t do any more. My feet felt great thanks to my new shoes, but I was just completely beaten down. That’s not good. So, I’ll be adjusting those paces down even more, which is just pathetic to think about but I’ve got to start somewhere. It’s certainly going to take longer than those 9 weeks for me.
Jim Fixx I am not.
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