Bodies are weird.

[saxikath]

(Hm. I think I need a running icon. This will do for the meanwhile.)

On the Couch-to-5K plan, I was supposed to run 2.5 miles three times this week.

Monday: I struggled to make it 1.25 miles, walked for a couple minutes, then ran to a total of 2 miles.

Wednesday: I struggled to make it 1.5 miles, walked a minute, ran to a total of 2 miles, walked a minute, ran to a total of 2.5.

Both days, I was completely wiped out afterwards. I felt like I'd pushed myself as hard as my body would go. I wasn't exactly queasy, but my system definitely felt abused. The 2.25-miler of the previous weekend seemed like a distant memory.

Today: 2.5 miles running, and at the end I felt I could have kept going. I wouldn't call it easy, but it wasn't nearly as rough as the other two. My legs are tired, and I was red-faced and sweating, but I didn't feel nearly as beat up. For the first time, I actually sort of got into the groove of it. I managed to think about things other than what I was doing, at least for short periods.

What happened? How did it suddenly click? Mysterious stuff, this running. And I have no idea what will happen the next time, either -- will I get into the groove again, or will it be the struggle it has been?

Comments

[chris-warrior.livejournal.com]

when you push yourself you force your body to acclimate. my problem is the not pushing myself enough. ;)

yay running 2.5 miles :)

[wcg.livejournal.com]

It may be more of a struggle next time, but it won't be as much of a struggle as it was in the past. Your muscles anticipate demand by storing additional glycogen. At this point they seem to have learned to store enough to support a 2.5 mile run. Also, your lungs have adapted to the load on them by increasing their ability to exchange oxygen with your blood cells.

[otherbill.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! The human body's capacity for recovery and adaptation is a remarkable thing. :-)

[setanos.livejournal.com]

The body is weird, you'll go through lots of up and down weeks. For example, after doing several weeks going 25 minutes every run, I suddenly found in January I could barely do 15 without feeling like I was dying and had to stop. Then about a week ago, it kinda went away and I'm back up to 23 minutes.

It can get really frustrating when this happens, at least it was for me. I've found the main thing is to keep at it and not beat yourself up when you have an off day running.

GL! The couch to 5k plan is amazing.

[deva-fagan.livejournal.com]

I had similar experiences with the C25K plan.... bodies are just weird. Even now, I cannot tell why some days I can run 5 miles and feel great, and other days I have to struggle to do 2. But the more you do, the easier it gets, and the stronger you feel.

Keep up the good work! You are doing GREAT!

[hahathor.livejournal.com]

Go you!!!

Regarding changes in performance, I've been tracking both my workouts & my food intake more carefully lately, and I find that if I don't get enough protein, my workout suffers the next day. I'm guessing for running you need carbs more than protein, but some of the variation in how well your body functions may be related to what you eat, and also how much sleep you're getting.

Also, I'm really, really proud of you, and have a big grin on my face right now, thinking about what you've accomplished.

[vdansk]

When you hit that groove...you exercise and IT DOESN'T HURT...it is a beautiful thing. My knees no longer allow running, but I did a similar program on the elliptical--3 minutes to passing out slowly increased to 30 minutes and just breathing hard. While it isn't as fast a process as it was at 19, there is literally no age where a relatively healthy person can't get into (better) shape. What makes you special is that you have the perseverence and self love necessary to stick to it! Keep up the good work!