A new workout perspective

You know the biggest thing I've discovered since I started this new running regimen? It's practically nothing!

Seriously, after a program involving mid-week trainings that took 90 minutes (on a Tuesday or Thursday evening, people!), getting out and run/walking 25 minutes is nada.

But, for some reason, it takes the same amount of energy to motivate me to actually start the workout each day as it did when the workouts were a scheduled 5 hours (that's a 15-mile walk). Go figure.

Once I'm in it, it's practically over and I feel wonderful. But getting my butt off the computer, away from the coffee and into my workout clothes in the morning before the heat of the day strikes - well, that can be tough. Especially since I tell myself, "Eh, it's only 30 minutes. You can handle the heat for 30 minutes. Just go later."

And it's true. I can handle the heat so I happily go later. Sure, the workout is a bit rougher, but at least I'm still getting it done. And it's all because I say "If you can walk 20 miles in 90 degree temps, you can run/walk 30 mins in 95 degrees."

Perspective is a funny thing. Following the 3-Day, I honestly feel like I can do anything.

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.

More lessons learned

In the mornings, while I eat breakfast and get mentally ready for the day, I read a lot about health, fitness and weight loss. I wouldn't call myself an expert by any means, but I have really learned a lot the past 6 months.

One thing: as you lose weight, you burn less calories naturally. The guide I've read the most says to take your weight and multiply it by ten to get the number of calories you burn in a day. For me that would be 1738. Add more calories if you are pretty active. This gives you the number of calories you should be eating to maintain your current weight. Eat less to lose.

But the most interesting fact I've learned while reading up on all of this is that cardio work isn't enough. Many people think that the only way to lose weight is to do lots of cardio, but that just isn't the case. We've got to work on muscle building as well.

Myself, I am afraid of gaining muscle because I know it weighs more than fat and I'm afraid it will make me even bigger. But that's silly talk. Every mythbuster article I've read addresses that exact myth!

The more muscle we have, the more calories we burn. So, as we lose weight, we need to be working on increasing my muscle mass through strength training. This is also important because women lose muscle mass as they get older unless they work to fight the loss.