Struggling Couch Potato makes some progress! :D

[Jess_hXc_Kid]

Hi there!

 

My name is Jessica and I am new here to the community! 

 

I just wanted to share my story with you. 

 

For years I have been struggling with my weight - on and off dieting paired with "balls to the wall" exercise leaving me injured, tired and demotivated. 

 

I recently heard of the C25K app from a colleague of mine who is super fit and trains like a machine.

 

He injured his knee and had to slowly get back into running, so he downloaded the app, used it, and now swears by it.  

 

So I downloaded it too, and started right before the Christmas holidays! (Bold. I know.) 

 

The first week was okay, but the 2nd and 3rd week nearly killed me. 

 

What really tested me was the jump from the 1.5 minute running, to the 3 minute running intervals. 

It was at this point where I had to really dig deep to break through pain barriers.

I recall looking at the timer, realising that 1.5 minutes had passed and that there was a whole other 1.5 minutes to go. 

Out of breath, shins and calfs stinging, body going into panic mode, I fought my way through to the end. (I was a sweaty, tomato-faced mess. Was not pretty.)  

 

Week 4 came around.

 

I just knew that there was going to be pain, in my lungs and my legs,

But I mustered up whatever optimism I had left in my head and got onto that treadmill. 

 

I honestly couldn't believe it.

1.5 minutes came and went with little pain, enough breath in my lungs, and before I knew it the 3 minutes were up!

I just remember feeling so, so happy. Like I had really achieved some level of improvement from the week before.  

 

It was at that point that I realised that all the work that I had done was starting to pay off and that I was getting stronger by the session.

 

I am currently in week 5, with 5 minute runs and 3 minute walking intervals, and am feeling stronger and more powerful than ever.  

I am listening to my body, sensing when to slow down and when to speed up, as well as blasting music into my ears (which really, really helps the time to pass.) 

And thankfully I have minimal pain in my shins and calfs so it really is getting that much easier each time. 

I also am fitting in some strength training on my off days after being advised to do so after doing some research. 

 

So I just want to say thank you to ZenLab for this app! 

I know I am only in week 5 now, but the idea of reaching the end and running a full 5k is something that is conceivable for me now. 

I actually am looking forward to each session and get a little antsy with the prospect of not running on rest days! 

 

Anyone who struggled like I did - PLEASE KNOW that it gets better. 

 

Good luck to all the C25k runners! 

 

Much love