{ Starting Out with Couch to 5K }

You know how sometimes either you or some outside source lights a fire under your butt to get you motivated to make a change? Well, my buns are burning and so are my legs for that matter because I have started the Couch to 5K running program by Cool Running. The C25K plan is a really great training program to get a beginner like me from the couch and turned into 5K running material in 9 weeks.

Let me give you a brief synopsis of my running history. There is none. I have no running experience. Zip, Zilch, Zero, Nada. See I told you it was brief. BUT, I have always wanted TO BE a runner.  However, anytime I tried I would get those darn side cramps right below my ribs and I'd be quick to throw in the towel. Nevertheless, I'd always admire those who could run and would wish that running was part of my identity. Fast forward years later to now and the fire that has been lit under my butt. I am done with complaining about the extra pounds I wanna get rid of. I am done with promises made to myself about food and clothes and the roller coaster of dieting. I want to see changes. I want to take pictures with my daughter and not worry about sucking in. I want to be healthy and fit. I want to go into the new year...no, I want to RUN into the new year as a stronger and leaner version of my current self. I want...NEED this change and hopefully be able to pin a number tag on my chest and actually run my very first 5K.

Sooooo, here is a pic I took of day one of my first week starting the C25K trainging program. I just finished week 1 today... or as the lingo goes-- I finished W1D3 which means week 1 day 3. ....and guess what?!?!? Not a single side cramp! This program which alternates between a series of timed runs and walks is something I wish I would have discovered long ago. It gets my heart beating heart and the effects of the 30 minute walk/run lasts me all day b/c I feel great!

I also downloaded the C25K phone app by Blue Fin and I love it! It notifies you via bell tones and a voice when to run/walk/run/walk and you can play music from your playlist. 

 I will be adding some posts about my C25K experiences and hopefully in the not too distance future a pic of me at my first 5K!

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.