It all started back in May of 2010, when I dear friend from work, Jenn A, exposed me to the C25K app for the iPhone. I saw a post of hers and was incredibly intrigued. So I did some research and talked to her about the specifics of the app and what it has done for her. So then after spending $2.99 in the App Store - I was off on a journey I hadn't even considered I would do again.
See back in 2000, when I was much younger - I started to run. Never had since I was forced by my own Sue Sylvester back at Riverdale Senior High. I mean why would I? Running just seemed at the time to be an exercise that went no where. Where was everyone running to? So I had just talked to a few friends that were interested and we started a Saturday morning running club. Then, while playing a game of Co Ed community softball - **SNAP** I broke my Tibial Plateau in 3 places and my running career was over.
Flash forward 10 years - and here I was, about to start running again. The C25K app was just what I needed. A controlled and easy way to build endurance and get myself running, ACTUALLY RUNNING! It's a nine week program that has you start with different intervals of brisk walking and jogging, and the best part is that it talks to you. Really! It tells you when to run, when to walk, when you are almost done and congratulates you when you have completed that day's run/walk. You can also upload your own music to listen to while you exercise - it was great. I mean I didn't think I would actually make it to run 3.1 miles, but it was just great to be getting some physical activity. As the weeks went on, it became more and more challenging (as I guess it should) and then my dear friend AGAIN gave me some great advice - DO NOT be ashamed to repeat a week once or even twice. Keep going and when you think you are ready go to the next step.
At this point I had done all my training at the gym on the treadmill, and had come to the realization that I could do this. I COULD RUN A 5K! So I signed up for my first run and set my mind towards that goal. Then I tried to start running outside and YIKES how different that is - whew! I felt like I needed to start back at square one, but all I did was just take a step back. I ran as far as I could and then walked for 60 seconds, then back to running. And
then after about 2 weeks there I was, running my way to a 5K.The I found a NEW app, the Nike + running trainer. I went out and got new Nike running shoes that would house the transmitter and I was in LOVE! Soon followed the GPS version and I had fallen in love for a second time. This app would do everything, house my music, track my runs via GPS, let me do timed runs or distance and a whole lot more.
I ran my first 5K last fall (picture to the right - I'm # 1263 on the left) and
have been running ever since. Outdoors, indoors it doesn't matter. There are days when I can't wait to get out of work to get in a 2 mile run. My next 5K is in June and I'm very excited.So if you are out there and are thinking that "wow, sounds like fun but I could never do that" YOU ARE WRONG! Start by spending as much as you would spend at Dunkin Donuts on the app - and start running! Till later :)
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