…???
Honestly, I don’t even know where to begin. It might be a shorter catalogue if we just discuss what DOESN’T hurt tonight. And for a change it has nothing to do with having had 4 kids in 19 months, or being 36 or even just because I’m a clumsy ox and always have been. Well…I’m sure all those things factor in, but they’re not THE reason.
I’m finally ready to come out in the open and admit that I’m training for a 5K. Seriously. Despite the bursitic hip and the trick knee and the … well, you name it. Despite all the really great reasons to snuggle into my comfy chair with my kindle or my knitting or the remote control, I decided to throw caution to the wind and just see what I could do.
Answer? Very little without hurting myself. But I was prepared for this eventuality and had laid in a mind boggling supply of ibuprofen as a defense. Two weeks ago, I took a couple of 30 minute walks. My tush got sore after the first one. Instead of falling back on my usual excuses — too busy, too old, too out of shape — I realized that right now, today, is as good as it’s gonna get physically. I’m not getting any younger or more coordinated sitting around on my now tender tush. And so I embarked on Week 1 of a real-live, honest-to-goodness training program. Appropriately, it’s one designed for Couch Potatoes.
Week one consisted of three workouts, each consisting of a 5 minute warmup walk followed by alternating 60 seconds of running with 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes. Monday, I ran outside, taking care to appreciate the gorgeous fall weather, the birds singing, the ragweed. Ragweed? I finished my workout, drug myself into the kitchen for a big glass of water and a nice Sudafed/Advil cocktail.
Wednesday, I wimped out a little and did my workout on a treadmill. Indoors. With air conditioning. I couldn’t believe how much of a cheat this was. Apparently, the treadmill absorbs a lot of the impact. Perhaps because it’s propelling your feet backward, there’s just not as much effort involved. Workout #2 was a breeze.
Friday, Sam…no wait, Will…or was it Tom? In any case, somebody had a fever (definitely Will now that I think about it), so I missed my scheduled workout. But did that stop me? No, it did NOT! I finished my final workout of Week One on Saturday…OUTSIDE no less. Can I get a hallelujah?
Today, I started Week 2. Unfortunately, I mis-remembered the directions and gave myself a MUCH harder workout than I intended. But I survived! I’d love to tell you more about it, but I’m going munch on some more Advil now. If you’d like to join me on the road to a 5k, check out the plan here.
Go For It!!!!!!!!!! Speaking as someone who has one more year and one fewer offspring (though mine were separate pregnancies) than you, I am So Glad I got into exercise after my last child!!! The kilos I worked off! The stamina I now have for carrying tantrum-throwers through shopping centres!! The fantastic excuse I know have for getting out of the house – “so glad you’re home darling, dinner is all ready for you to feed the kids, I’m off to the gym”… 😛
Revel in every walk and jog you get, every child-free moment that puts another five minutes on your longevity – I adore my morning walks (euphemism for trying to keep up with my dogs) and I am no longer hiding from the full-length mirrors – I gave my MIL her pick of my larger pants, and a girlfriend the next size down. (That is not a comment on my MIL, she just liked some of my good trousers that I hadn’t worn much)
This is rambling on wayyyy too much – just keep on keeping on! We will cheer you on!!