a running plan.

Now that we are moved in and the weather is getting gorgeous, I am going to take up running.  In the past, I have been the one on the sidelines enjoying my Tasty's doughnuts and waving contentedly to all the family marathoners (Ashley, Cristelle, Joe).

However, I have had this desire that has been growing within in me for the last couple years, and finally I am ready to commit and begin!  (I even went and purchased my first pair of real running shoes on Saturday.  If that's not commitment, I don't know what is...they are kind of expensive!  I was not aware either, that the good kind of running pants can cost you $90!  What?!  I told the nice man at Salt Lake Running that I would need to be waiting for a sale on those ones.)

So let me just say, I'm not running to train for a marathon, or anything like that.  That really doesn't even appeal to me right now.  But much smaller races do.  Hello 5k.

No, the main reason I want to do it, is just because exercising outside makes me feel happy and strong and alive.  I've got a running plan that Cristelle & Joe recommended for true beginners, like me, called The Couch to 5K.  So who's in?!

Here's the plan for WEEK ONE (see the whole guide here):

Brisk 5-min walk.  Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.  Do this three times throughout the week, with a day of rest in between. Um, yes, this sound totally do-able.  I will report back.



This is Ashley in her first (maybe second?) marathon.  Inspiration, that girl.  How is it possible to look that good after running 26.2 miles?  (By the way, she isn't grimacing; she's blowing us a kiss.)  How can you even lift your arm to your lips at that point?!

Even though running a marathon isn't on the horizon for me yet, I'll tell you, watching the runners come in, is an incredible, kind of emotional experience.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -