Now what?

Following the 3-Day, I hit a tiny "Now what?" wall.

I love walking, don't get me wrong, but I just don't want to keep dedicating entire days to it. So, how am I going to burn calories so that I can reach my weight-loss goals?

A little nugget of thought started growing in my mind a few weeks ago, and I've decide to give it free reign. I'm going to start running.

I know it sounds like the logical progression from all of the walking, but for me there are a few unusual factors to apply.

1. I was diagnosed with arthritis in both knees when I was 11. Seriously. They are great weather vanes and I can always tell when a good storm is brewing. In junior high, I wasn't allowed to run because of my knees. Also, I had numerous physical therapy sessions geared at straightening my knee caps - they are on a crooked track! The therapy hurt my knees so much I never really finished.

2. I don't know how to run. Again, I'm serious. Since I was not allowed to run as a kid, I never learned the proper running form. A couple of weeks ago I was walking with Sadie and Kevin and decided to jog a little. When I finished, Kevin said "Do you know you run bow-legged?" Um, what?

3. I tried becoming a runner about 3 years ago - and I got myself up to running a mile without stopping. But then, I was attacked by a German shepherd.

So, those are my reasons for NOT running. Here are my reasons for wanting to do it anyway.

1. I am super jealous of people who can run. I've seen a lot of them during my 3-Day training and I envy them all. They are just so pretty and physically fit! I keep a copy of Runner's World on my magazine rack just to ogle the girl on the cover. I want to have her body! I am jealous of her calves, her butt and her abs. I am jealous of the fact that she can, presumably, run without getting winded in 30 seconds.

2. Running is a great cardio workout that works every part of your body. A 155 lb. woman burns 182 calories while walking 19 mph for 45 mins. That same woman burns 412 calories running 12 mph for 45 minutes. Seriously, to burn 400 calories, I have to walk about 5 miles - and that takes about an hour and 40 minutes! The efficiency alone is enough to excite this busy girl!

3. Kevin is a runner and I would really like to share this hobby with him. I proudly tell anyone who will listen that Kevin has run 4 marathons. He tells a story about our first meeting. Apparently he mentioned being a runner and I said, "Well, there's your problem." It was a defensive statement made totally out of jealousy and awe. I swear.

So, Friday morning found me starting a new training regimen: Couch to 5k. The original regimen is available at CoolRunning.com, but there are also lots of smartphone apps available.

I used Couch to 5k (c25k) for my running adventure 3 years ago and saw great success. It is an interval training program that can be used by serious, experienced runners to improve their pace or by newbs like me. I wouldn't exactly say I'm coming off the couch, but running involves working a different muscle group than walking and I need to get them in shape. Plus, it can only help my pace, right?

Here is something I wrote in a blog then first time I did C25K:

So, I guess this is it. No more excuses. I expected to suck some serious ass today. I thought that today would prove to me that I am not cut out to be a runner. Damn, looks like I get to do this again Wednesday. And don't tell anyone, but I am kinda proud of myself and looking forward to the next workout. I'm sore already and every muscle is protesting my very existence, but I feel good.

No soreness following Friday's run - and it really was easy, breezy. Guess that means I get to do it again today. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Kansas City was last Sunday. However, the Wichita Race for the Cure is September 25 - six weeks from now.

C25K is a 9-week program, but after the ease of Friday's run, and because I'm not officially at "couch" status, I am jumping to week 2 today. I plan to run 2 of the 3 runs for week 2 and then follow the program from there. It's still about a week short, but I REALLY want to run the Race for the Cure in Wichita.