I went out for my second run this morning. The schedule was the same as my first run: a warm up period, followed by eight periods of running for 60 seconds and walking briskly for 90 seconds.
After my last run, I started to get some aches in my legs. I asked a friend who runs about this and it’s a common phenomenon. My legs were sore yesterday, but not enough to impede daily activities. Today I felt better, so I decided to go out on a run.
I was excited to be getting out again. After having been out once, I could start to tell myself that I have already done this before. This was helpful motivation. I have run this far before. I can do it again. The words of the coach in the Couch to 5k programme are invaluable, too, offering motivational messages interspersed through the 30 minute workout.
Later in the run, I did think to myself “will I be able to finish?”, but hearing that I only had two minutes of running helped me get past this.
Toward the end of the run, I started to reflect on how nice it has been to challenge myself in this way. I have previously used exercise bikes quite a bit, at one point building a daily routine. But it had been years since I had done more exercise than a long walk. It feels good to be trying something new, especially something that is pushing me just to my limits.
I have one more run to do this week before Week 2. I’m excited for the next one!
