How I did it: I started the Couch To 5K interval program (20 minutes, of alternate running and walking) back in March, using Podrunner's mp3 mixes to get me going. At first, it was really painful to run for 1 minute at a time. I couldn't believe that after a week, I was supposed to be able to run for 90 seconds!  But I trusted the program, and sure enough, when they said I should be able to run for 2 minutes, I was able to. Amazing!

It took about 7 months of on-again off-again training and getting sick and resuming the program, but I was working my way through week 5 in September. The final workout of Week 5 is to run for 20 minutes straight, no walking. I did that during the kid's run. I was really worn out by the end, and amazed that my daughter had enough left in her to sprint the last half-block to the finish line!

We're planning on doing a 5K in the spring, so I need to finish the interval training. :)

Lessons & tips: Don't give up. Trust yourself and your body. Listen to your pain. Be careful.

Resources: podrunner.com  - Podrunner intervals
c25k.com - a good interval training program

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Oct 14, 2008, 10:14AM PDT | 1 comment | 1 cheer