Sunday, March 4, 2007

I Did It!

I did it, and one of the only ways I got through it was to think how I could go home and write to all of you with a post title exclaiming that I did it.

I did the first day of the Couch-to-5k. It was hard, but it didn't kill me. My new running shoes definitely helped.

I told my husband that I was really impressed by the podcast of music for the Couch-to-5k that Robert Ullreys put together, but that I didn't love the music (electronica/techno-type stuff). So my sweet husband wrote a little program to create a version of it just for me: an mp3 of songs I picked with a little high tone going off each time I should switch from walking to running and a low tone going off when I should switch back to walking. It's great to have music I love and not have to try to keep up with when I should make the switch from 60-second runs to 90-second walks this week. Now my best friend wants a copy of it so she can do C25k herself! In line with my eclectic music tastes, I have on my set Rascall Flatts, Jewel, Jimmy's Chicken Shack, Lauryn Hill, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ice Cube, Indigo Girls, REO Speedwagon, and a song from the musical Rent. I used old mp3's I finished downloading several years ago. I just wanted fairly fast-tempo songs to keep me going.

The runs were hard--no lie, they were. But I thought, "I can do this, I can do this," and got some endorphins going that way. As I mentioned previously, I psyched myself up by picturing coming home and being able to tell y'all I'd done it. And I thought about the little girl who turned into me--the girl who loved to ride her bike everywhere, who played outside all the time, who kicked ass in basketball, but who got chubby and then got no support at PE in school even when she beat nearly all the boys in a running competition. . . . I thought of that little girl and who she expected to be when she grew up, and I ran to become more like that person. Someone still in love with her body's capabilities. Someone I am becoming.

The only problem, really, was that at the end of it, I got terrible cramps in the area of my bladder and/or uterus. Strange problem, right? It happens to me sometimes after a lot of physical exertion, and I think it's related to oxygen, because if I sit still and breathe deeply for a few minutes, the cramps stop. While they are going on, they are really horrible and make me feel like I am going to either pass out or throw up--but they are not a side stitch or stomach cramps. I feel light-headed and shaky. Then I stop, sit, and breathe, and they pass. I think they may be related to the fact that I've had two major surgeries in that area of my body; I know I had some complications from surgery (as many people do), and I'm wondering if oxygen flow to that area doesn't function particularly well when I am highly exerting myself. I'm not sure what to do about it except hope it doesn't happen until I'm done with a workout and have my cell phone to call my husband to pick me up if it gets unbearable.

But in any case, I'm proud of myself for getting it done today!

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am standing up applauding you! Way to go! Way to reclaim your life!

In awe . . .

Kitty

Jayne said...

That's AWESOME!!! I've seen the couch to 5k plan before, and thought it might be nice to try some day...maybe you'll inspire me to actually do it!
As for the exertion - pain...I have no real advice for you, I just hope that you're able to continue on your way to the 5K and the little girl, without hurting yourself. Maybe try to really concentrate on your breathing while running?? (easier typed than done, I'm sure!)

You're an inspiration! Thanks!

Anandi said...

Hey! Good job!

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'll keep an eye on yours too as we go through the Couch to 5K.

Kim said...

This is freaking AWESOME news!! I am very very VERY proud of you VP!!! I've been toying with trying the couch to 5k thing for a while now...maybe I will actually give it a try.

Marathon Someday said...

Way to go!!!!! We'll almost be in synch, in terms of our programs. I'm starting Week 2 today.

As for the cramping - I'm not sure what's causing it, but make sure that you stretch adequately before you run. Do lots of forward bends, maybe a few pelvic tilts, especially if you're finding that area tender/crampy.

Your hubby rocks! Mine is a bit of a computer nerd, so I think I'm going to ask him sweetly to write me a similar program (though I'm surprised there isn't one out there!). I'm not into the techno stuff either.

Keep it up, girl!!!! You're awesome!

~~Midnight Raider~~ said...

The C25k Plan is great, and I'm so glad you're doing it! About the cramps: Make sure your running pace isn't too fast! Keep it at a comfortable speed. Slow and steady wins the race!

Way to go, girl! Keep up the great work!

Cory said...

Way to go on the run! That's fantastic! Sorry about the pain, but you're probably right on the why of it.

Sally JPA said...

Thanks for the support!

I am going to try stretching my abdomen thoroughly before my next run/walk to see if that helps with the strange cramping.

Sonya (or anyone else), my husband is happy to share the little program he wrote, but I think you'd have to be a geek to be able to use it. And it may only work on Macs.

Nuka said...

THAT is SO awesome VP!! Not the cramps part - the activity part. It's amazing to watch you making so many great changes in your life!

Mal said...

It is one of my dreams to do C25K so I am jealous and will be following your progress with interest! Count me in as being a little concerned about the cramping though, so do keep us updated. Technically, my broken tailbone should have healed by now as well, but I still get ghost and phantom pains. Let us know what happens and/or what your doc says...

Grumpy Chair said...

Congratulations on the Couch to 5K run. I have been flirting with doing it and have decided to start it up after March 27th.

Jen said...

Great job getting started with the Couch to 5K program! I love your motivation-hang on those of memories of the girl you were and the woman you thought you'd be :-) You're her! (She?)

595 Days said...

Congratulations!

My friend and I did the Couch to 5k program, didn't believe for one minute that at the end of 9 weeks we'd be running 5k - but we did. Keep it up! One thing I learned that was really important: pacing, heart monitors are good for that, I try to keep my heart rate at 150, if my heart rate is higher than that I'll start feeling sick.