Week 19: C25K and A Lot of Pain

So, as promised (because I know you've all been dying to hear about it) the topic of my ramblings today is running, or more specifically, preparing to run a 5K at the end of June. Or, even more specifically, preparing to run the Fittie 5K at LeakyCon Portland on June 27th.

Although I'm not, as a rule, against cheesy things (lacto-ovo vegetarian FTW!) I really don't feel like writing an inspirational post about Challenging Yourself and Pushing Your Limits, Achieving Your Goals, etc. etc. So instead, I'm going to tell it like it is.

And it is pain.

I mean, to be fair, I kinda signed up for that. I've never been a runner - at all - and I wasn't in great shape generally when I started this. So I knew it would be tough. I also knew that the only thing that would keep me going would be my stupid stubborn compulsion to finish ALL the things that I start. I absolutely love that I have friends who are also doing the C25K program, and that I have a fun run with those friends to look forward to, but if I'm being honest, my inability to leave things unfinished is my main motivator right now.

I've just started Week 4 of this program, which lasts either 8 or 9 weeks depending on the version. It's going fairly well - no collapsing or heat stroke as of yet - but I live in constant fear of the increase in intensity of the next workout. Not to mention the burning pain of shin splints. Unfortunately, while I do live "in the country" by a lot of people's standards, I'm "in town" enough that there are no dirt trails accessible from my house. So that means running on concrete, and more often than not, up and down hills.

Apparently this is not the ideal training ground for a running noob such as myself. According to WebMD, I should stop running until the shin splints heal completely. Which is a lovely idea, if one does not have their sights set on one specific 5K on June 27th. I honestly don't think I could catch up if I missed a week or two, and so I valiantly (stupidly) run on. With some ice pack action thrown in at the end of every workout. Because ouch.

So that's my extremely glamorous experience in my first few weeks as a Runner. I'll probably be subjecting you to more of my trials and tribulations as we get closer to the LeakyRun.

But for now,

Goodnight, bloglings