I started a running program called Couch to 5K about four weeks ago to start exercising more and I needed the stress relief from everything that was going on with my mom. I also work at a job where I sit for 8+ hours a day and if I'm not careful, my weight will go up while my health goes down. And I said I wanted to take better care of myself when I turned 30 and that includes exercise.
Daulton has gone with me before but he usually rides his bike and chooses not to run. Tonight, he decided he was going to run with me and "get some exercise". Here's how it went down.
5 minute warm-up: We synchronize our iPods so the clocks start at the same time. We are using the C25K app by Zen Labs on our iPod Touches. Daulton doesn't understand the meaning of warm-up and is walking very slowly.
2.5 minutes into the warm-up: We only have 1 arm band for the 2 iPod Touches we own and its pink and clearly mine. Of course Daulton wants it but I convince him before we leave the house to just wear shorts with pockets and tell him he will be fine. My mistake. We stop to trade iPods two minutes after leaving the house and Daulton is happy to finally have the iPod with arm band he wanted.
1st interval - 5 minute run: It sounds like a 500 pound man is running behind me. I can barely hear my music over Daulton's foot steps. After two minutes, the foot steps are closer and louder and Daulton passes me. And its just as loud as if he was behind me.
Daulton keeps the lead for another two minutes and then runs out of steam. I pass him and then spend the next minute looking behind my shoulder to make sure he hasn't given up and trying to yell encouraging words at him. I am not at the point where I can run and talk, so the only way I can talk is one word per breath. It takes a long time to get out my words of encouragement.
3 minute walk: Daulton looks miserable. I tell him its not as easy as it looks and he agrees. We decide to head back to the house so he can get his bike and I have to pee.
2nd interval - 5 minute run: We aren't home yet and its time for the next running interval. Daulton is not pleased that I make him run home but he makes it. He gets his bike, I do my business, we trade iPods again because I want my arm band back, and we are back out the door to finish the interval.
3 minute walk: Daulton follows me on the bike pedaling at the speed I'm running, which is about two steps above glacial speed. Luckily he does not fall over but it makes me feel like he is the van that picks up the stragglers at the mini marathon and its my encouragement to not stop as I'm afraid he will run me over.
3rd interval - 5 minute run: Halfway through this interval Daulton asks if he can go home. I can't hear what he says so I have to stop and turn around to listen to the question. I am so close to being done so I send him home and finish the interval.
Cool down: I head back to the house and get Dixie to take her for her evening walk. Matt asks me how it was and my response was "hot". He then gets me a drink and only asks me questions that I can grunt the answer to.
I am neither a graceful nor a natural runner. It takes a lot of will power to get through it and not give up when it gets tough. I'm happy that I'm doing it for me and I like the changes I'm already seeing in my legs (and compliments from the husband don't hurt either). And even though we can't really converse while I'm running, I like having Daulton with me. It keeps me motivated and I can't give up because that's not the example I want to set for him.
Together we've taken up yoga and running. I wonder what we will do next.
