Tonight I walked a 5K.
I have some crazy idea in my head that I am going to walk a 5K every day this week and see what happens on the scale. Sounds like a good, sound, not crazy plan...right?
Chris and I have been watching 'The Following' this year. Tonight was the season finale. I decided to walk my 5K while watching it. You know...lots of action, lots of intrigue...my mind would definitely be on the show and not the walk....either that or the anxiety from watching the show AND doing my work out at the same time would cause me to stroke out.
I started the workout and immediately tried to jump up to my "cruising" pace. That didn't go so well. I had to slow it down and give myself a warm up. Every minute or so I would bump up the pace and after a few minutes I was cruising at 2.8 mph.
Yes, 2.8 mph is my cruising speed. It's pathetic, I know...but it is what I can handle. I try not to beat myself up for it because I know that over time my pace is going to improve. But, still, I get it...it's a bit sad.
After about 25 minutes on the treadmill, just as Joe attacked and killed an innocent man to prove a point to his ex-wife, I was worried I wasn't going to be able to make it. It's not so much that I was huffing and puffing, but just that my body felt done.
In order to keep myself going I decided to employ a tactic that my sister told me about. I think I mentioned before that she has been reading Chris Powell's book. In it he makes the suggestion that you give your body a name to make it a separate "being". Then, you tell your body, using its name, that you are in charge and that it is not.
I know, this sounds deranged and crazy, but I was desperate and willing to try anything.
I named my body Bonnie...and boy did I give her a tongue lashing. I let her know in no uncertain terms that I, Connie, was in charge and that she, Bonnie, was not...and that she would do exactly what I told her to do.
You guys, it actually helped! I started to feel like I was getting a second wind and I was able to keep going. I used this technique several times through the remainder of my walk...and yes, it made me feel crazy...but again, I was pretty much willing to try anything to get me through.
At about 45 minutes I decided to go ahead and lower my pace to 2.6 mph (**sigh**...so sad). My goal tonight was not to walk a 5K in the fastest time possible, but simply to walk 3.106 miles...and I felt like, even though I had Bonnie in hand, she might revolt if I didn't slow things down a bit.
I went back to watching 'The Following', at one point shrieking when a suspenseful scene played out...bringing my daughters running to check on me because they thought I had fallen on the treadmill. WHOOPS! Before I knew it the show was over. I checked my distance and I was at 2.76 miles.
DAMN! I still had a .5 mile to go!! I knew I was going to make it, but I SO wanted it to be over.
Chris put 'Friends' on and I walked the final .5 mile watching Rachel try to seduce some guy who lived in her apartment building by putting on her high school cheerleading outfit. Whatever. It kept me occupied just enough to get me through.
As I rounded the bend to 3.106 miles, Chris was laying on the couch playing on his phone. I told him that if he had ever loved me, even just a little, he would have a glass of ice water and a towel waiting for me when I finished. I may or may not have sounded hysterical....all I know is that Chris jumped up and bolted for the stairs to get it for me. He came back down right as I finished.
3.106 miles. DONE!
I screamed with joy!
It took me 1 hour and 13 minutes. 1 HOUR AND 13 MINUTES. **UGH**
I'll admit, it makes me feel bad to know that it takes me about the same amount of time to walk a 5K as some people take to run a 1/2 marathon! But, I'm trying to force myself not to focus on that. It is self defeating to do that and ultimately serves no purpose.
What I am trying to focus on is that I did it. I DID IT. I took control, whipped Bonnie into shape, and I did it.
I'm already dreading tomorrow!
Hi Connie! I think that's huge! You start where you start. I weighed about 50 more pounds when I started working out. My thighs were so sore the next day (and actually for almost 2 months) when I started walking 4 miles per day. And I got so many blisters on my feet too. Just live through it, knowing that your body will get accustomed to it and you'll stop getting sore.
ReplyDeleteI recommend a heating pad for your thighs. And lovely hot baths. :D
Then, just keep going. This is EXACTLY how I started when I was 38--your age!!! That--we have in common.
:-) Marion
Thanks Marion! I am so surprised that I am not really, really sore! Maybe that means I need to work harder!!! I can't wait until my time improves, and even one day when I can run a 5K!!
DeleteSaw your motivational Monday report on Katie (runsforcookies) blog today and had to come check you out. Loved reading about your first 5K. I didn't start on my weight loss journey until I was almost 60 and my weight had really taken a toll on my body. I didn't start walking until about 3 months into my journey and I probably weighed in the 280's, so I can identify with your slow start. But it's a START and that is the important thing. Make sure to do it again today and the next day and the day after that! I know when I walked, at first, everything hurt....my hips, my back, my knees. Today, after losing 178 pounds and weighing in at about 150 lbs. (most days), I can walk....pain free! I want to see what walking a 5K every day will do on your scale so I'll be back to check. You've gained another new blog reader today. I love reading about other people's weight loss journeys. After two years at my goal weight, I still struggle and people like you and all my wonderful friends at Sparkpeople.com keep me motivated!!!
ReplyDeleteI love hearing stories like yours! I have to remind myself often that this is starting point and every day that I do this I will improve, just a little...and all those little improvements, over time, will add up to BIG improvements!
DeleteI need to learn how to connect better on Sparkpeople. I don't really leverage it well...any suggestions?
DUDE you rocked it. saw you on runsforcookies.com and thought id check out your blog. :) i have a blog on here (really only started it a few months ago). im going to add you to my list. :)
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU! I just hope I can keep it up all week!!
Deleteyay!! one day down....what's on tv tonight??
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for interesting TV Shows! I think it is the only thing keeping me going during those 5K's! Last night it was Bones season finale!!
DeleteI just found your blog from Runs for Cookies. You Rock!!!! I think it is so awesome that you walked a 5K and didn't give up. Wow, I am soooo impressed and inspired. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lesa! I so wanted to give up and just be OK with 2 miles walked...but I knew it would just make me mad...and I let that push me through!! That and Kevin Bacon rocking it on The Following!
DeleteI too found you from Runs for Cookies Motivational Monday post. You and I have a lot in common and similiar weight loss goals:) I walked my first 5k on a treadmill a few months ago and I remember feeling the same as you, super proud and yet a little sad that it took me so long. However, you did it and you are only going to get better! I have been poking around your blog and catching up on your story and I have to say you are so motivating to me.
ReplyDeleteWendy, I am so glad you found the blog! It can be daunting to have so much weight to lose...I love finding other people who are in my same situation because I truly believe we can help each other to get to our goals! I can't wait to get caught up on Fitness Frog!!
DeleteI'm a new reader from Runs for Cookies, and I love your blog! Don't feel bothered about how long it takes...YOU'RE DOING IT! Good for you! I noticed (because I binge read all your posts last night) that you do a lot of qualifying/comparing yourself to others. (Things like "I know it's not much, but.." or "It's not as good as a lot of people...") Screw that! Those people don't have the same life you do, or the same journey. Be proud of where YOU are at! You have a lot to be proud of in the last four months! You've lost 50 pounds, for goodness sakes!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, enough of a stranger telling you how to blog. Do your thang. I like your blog, and I will be a new follower!
Jessica
Jessica, I LOVED your comment! I really do need to stop comparing myself to others!!! I sometimes feel like I have to apologize for being so out of shape and overweight...but I need to remember that is not the case!!
DeleteGreat job! Don't worry about how you compare with others...just do your thing! You are doing GREAT!
ReplyDeleteThanks Melinda! I definitely need to focus on myself and where I'm at - and any comparisons I make need to be to that. I will admit, I can't wait to be able to crush a 5K in under 30 minutes!
DeleteI have felt the same way but i replay that saying " not matter how slow you go your still lapping everyone on the couch" I just keep thinking about that when Im worried that im going slow. Your doing fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI love that quote! I am going to make a big sign to put next to my treadmill with it! So true!
DeleteAwesome job, Connie! Definitely don't focus on the time, just focus on the fact that you accomplished the 5K. If you keep it up, you'll be a little speed demon before you know it!!
ReplyDeleteI can't WAIT to be a speed demon! But for now, I know I need to be happy that I can actually walk a 5K - 3 months ago I don't think it would have been possible.
DeleteCongratulations :-)You're amazing and every step you take, no matter how fast or how slow, is another step closer to your goal. Please try not to get caught up in the race, you'll get there when you get there and the victory will be just as sweet. I think you and Bonnie have an awful lot to be proud of. Patience, my friend! I've been battling faster vs farther arguments with myself and decided farther was more valuable to me, for now. My walks are so much more peaceful, and wouldn't you know it, my pace has improved, too! Keep it up!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Amy! I agree that farther has to win out over faster. Faster will come with time!
DeleteU have the best "voice" I love how u r honsest about ur struggles yet honest when u r proud of ur accomplishments too. I'm 5'2 and 246....started out at 275.....still have so far to go! Love reading katie and lori's blogs but sooo nice to hear about some one at the same fitness level as me in the middle of their journey.
ReplyDeleteYou have no idea how inspiring this is, even though it might be sad to you, your honesty is such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your journey with us!
ReplyDelete