C25K

I have successfully completed my second week of Couch-to-5K Training.  It feels great.  Well, the actual running part feels like death, but after I'm done (which happens to be right now), I feel wonderful.  This training takes place in my back yard, where Kenny was nice enough to mow me a running trail (but don't hand him an award just yet...he did it because when he found out that I planned to run down our road like a normal person would, he said, "...I know you'll get hit by a car...").  Thanks, hon!  (Yeah, he's probably right.) 

I am following everything in the C25K Training program down to the second.  This is very unlike me.  I do, however, feel that there should be some added rules:

1.  Do not drink three cups of coffee before running.  I know this is common sense, but I am neither common nor sensical, so the obvious really needs to be pointed out to me.

2.  If there is a branch hanging down in your path, dodge it.  Running directly into said branch hurts way more than one would expect.  Feels like a swift slap in the face.

3.  A running partner is a bad idea.  I suppose this one might be case-sensitive, but in my case, it's a horrible idea.  When I am running, I am very focused on trying to breathe and maintain my status of 'alive'.  If anybody so much as looks in my general direction, my instant punch-reflex is uncontrollable.

4.  A running partner in the form of dog is an even worse idea.  They think it's a race and will do whatever they deem necessary to win, including knocking human running partner to the ground and then leaving them in the dust.  (Don't tell Teeyl I said so, but I'm pretty sure she didn't even know where she was running to). 

And here are some things that are good and helpful to do:

1.  Bring a clock in any form (well, probably not your wall clock; that'd be weird).  It makes tracking time much simpler than my previous method of counting in my head and using my fingers to keep track of minutes.

2.  Set up a swimming pool near your running area.  You'll thank me later.

3.  Run when everybody's asleep.  This ensures no interruptions (which may cause aforementioned punch-reflex) and also helps to avoid the embarrassment of your running form (I personally look like a drunk giraffe).

And that is all I have for now.  This is an eight-week program so I'm sure I'll have plenty more advice to give as I charge on. 

"The miracle isn't that I finished.  The miracle is that I had the courage to start."  -John Bingham