Couch-to-5K: Day 2

I have an irrational phobia that I would drop dead when I try to push myself to exercise, so I've gotten very lazy over the past few years. It's really been since I've had heart palpitations for no real reason since giving birth to child #3. The medical professionals performed their tests and assured me that I wasn't going to drop dead, and told me I need to exercise. That was at least 6 months ago. Almost 3 months ago, I took up a challenge and pushed myself to start walking the 1/2 mile from the community parking lot to work. It was more than I had done previously, and that was all the challenge required. A couple times I threw in the 2 flights of stairs after walking the 1/2 mile and was surprised I didn't keel over at the top. Catching my breath was difficult!

Then a few weeks ago, I heard of the Couch-to-5K program from a friend who had started. I thought about it, read about it, and talked myself into trying it. I've never loved running and can't understand why people do love it. Whenever I ran in High School, my hips would go out, my asthma would flare up, and it was not fun. (I did love sprints and was really bummed when I found out that training for sprints in track & field meant long distance running. Really??) But I started hearing of others who had done it, my best friend from High School has turned into an exercising maniac (in a good way!), so why couldn't I?

Day 1 of my Couch-to-5K on Monday went well. It wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be, but I was ready to sit and rest for a while after. (Couldn't really do that, though, with needing to herd kids out of the house and get to work.)

Today was Day 2 of my Couch-to-5K endeavor. With all the rain, I'm very thankful I'm doing this inside on the treadmill! Today, there were parts that were easier -- catching my breath was easier at times, but my muscles seemed more tired. I wasn't as tired after. I am very happy for the day of rest in between! At times I'm not sure I'll make it -- 5K seems so much! I just keep telling myself that May isn't too far away, and if I catch the "running bug" that would be nice! I'd like to be able to run for fun, and I'd love to not be out of breath from what should be easy things.

Adventure to be continued.... :)