08 Feb
1 Mile
I can officially cross one of my 101 in 1001 off my list. Yesterday I ran over 1 mile without any walking breaks! 1.25 miles to be exact. It took me about 16 minutes to do it, but I wasn’t worried about speed, I just wanted to finish with no walking.
After my workout on the treadmill I did 30+ flights of stairs. I am hardcore baby!
I haven’t written about Couch to 5K yet (I’m waiting to get father into the program before I do) but believe when when I say that at the beginning of January, I struggled to run 90 seconds without stopping. If you’re joining me in That Weight Loss Challenge and your knees are up for it, give this program a try. Stick with at for at least two weeks, and I promise you’ll be amazed with the results.
Technically I was supposed to run 20 minutes straight, for Week 5 Day 2, but I psyched myself out and stopped with something like 4 minutes to go. Before I started my run I was so nervous that I almost cried. If you’ve finished the 20 minute run and have any tips I’d love to hear them!
Also:
I'm a farm-raised almost-crunchy stroller-pushing picture-taking lifestyle-blog-writing gastronomy-obsessed divine-seeking thrift-store-combing cheese-inhaling pavement-pounding laughter-sprinkling lover of individuality and taking chances.
Congratulations, that’s fantastic! I remember how awesome I felt when I ran a mile for the first time. I love seeing other people feel that way too!
1Congratulations! That is awesome. Isn’t it great when you achieve something that, at the outset, seemed nearly impossible?!
I did C25k two summers ago and really enjoyed it. For the last little while I’ve focused more on high intensity interval training (HIIT), but since Christmas I’ve started doing C25k style walk-runs again and I’m really getting into them. I’m not following C25k this time, as my base level of fitness is much better, but I’m still using the same basic concepts to design my own training plan and, once again, I find myself being astounded by the week-over-week gains that I’m making (I’m a nerd and track it all in a spreadsheet!).
Yay for you!
2Yay!!! I loved the C25K program - glad you are too!
3I used that program when I started running…and now, I’m registered for a half marathon, full marathon, and a bunch of shorter races this year! It really does work!
4Super congratulations! That’s one of my goals, too-to run a mile and beyond. Way to go on achieving it. Don’t you feel super healthy and on the way to something great??
5Tiffany
First of all congratulations on this milestone.
Speed definitly does not matter when you start to run, you don’t want to push yourself past your limits (and hurt yourself like I did which was stupid).
My main thing when I run is that I tell myself that if I’ve gone so far I can definitly do a little bit more. I tell myself only “x minutes” “x miles/ quater of a mile to go). Reming yourself on how good you did so far.
Also I haven’t had kids yet but I tell myself that if I want to have any I’ll probably will have to go trough something harder and that it’s a good way to prepare for it. So in your case, you gave birth medication free, if you can do that you can keep on running for a little bit longer. I mean come on, you had how many hours of hard labor with barely any food? You can run those 20 minutes and more, it’s nothing compare to what you did.
I run outdoors which helps because I get to see a different landscape and I find it easier to move forward and I know that there are literaly still a mile/quarter of a mile to go before I finish the loop.
I also try to think things through when I run to keep my mind occupied, focus about goals I have, think of things I need to do in my life, etc.
Jenna Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 8:52 am
I look forward to warmer weather so I can run along the lake!
You’re right, I did labor for a long time with little food and sleep. 20 minutes is nothing compared to that!
That’s awesome!!!! I was proud of myself for running 1/3 of a mile without stopping yesterday. I’ve never even been able to run 1/2 mile without stopping, so I’m just trying to build up. You’re an inspiration!!!! I’ll let you know when I can run a full mile
7Congratulations, Jenna! Way to work hard for your goal…you are such an inspiration to us! Can’t wait to see what you accomplish next.
8That’s so awesome. Congratulations!
9Great job! I did C25K a few years back but had more success with Podrunner Intervals: First Day to 5k program. Only because it was easier for me to just listen for a chim to tell me to walk than it was to time it out myself! At any rate I am now able to run up to 4 miles without stopping. I have 5 5k’s under my belt with my best time being 36:36. I LOVE running! And it floors me! I’m not an athlete and I used to say that you’d never catch me running unless someone was chasing me. My advise to you to get to 20 mins without stopping it to just do it! Don’t think about it. Focus on your breathing (I find 2 breaths in and 3 breath out, making your 3rd out as long as you can, works best for me. I notice when my brain starts telling me I can’t do it, my breathing is usually all shallow and huffy. My mind is wondering to dinner, laundry, work and child. Once I shake all the junk out of my brain and focus on my breathing and only my breathing I feel like I can run forever. Good luck and keep us informed on your progress!
Jenna Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 8:56 am
Thanks for the great tips! I really appreciate it. I use the C25K iPhone app for the reasons you mentioned, because he comes on over my music and tells me when to run and when to walk. It’s very convenient!
Katy Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
I’ve yet to overly desire an iphone (figure we’ll get one when we get one), but that right there makes we want to get one! It comes through the music? That’s cool!
Becky Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 9:17 am
This is awesome advice and very similar to what we practice in yoga. If you focus on breath and clear your mind, the rest will happen. You are so much stronger than you think. Your mind will give up way before your body does. Quiet the mind “chatter” and the physical aspects of the exercise will come naturally. It’s just a handful of breaths that are the difference between running for 16 minutes and running for 20. I know you can do it!
Way to go on your first mile! That’s amazing! I’m doing C25k for the 2nd time around. I did W6 D1 last night. Here are a few things that help me.
*Cover the distance/time on the treadmill with a towel. I do better if I’m not always looking at how far I’ve gone or how much time I have left.
*Good running music! Something to keep me going! I’m usually also reading closed captioning on a TV at the gym, so my mind is overly occupied. The less I think about the running, the better!
*I went to a running store and got fitted for running shoes. It was an investment, but seemed to help when I ran in those shoes yesterday.
That’s all I can think of for now! I did finish the program last time, so I know you can do! Great job and keep it up!
Lida Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 10:05 am
Do what works for you to finish that 20 minutes. I tried covering the treadmill display but found that actually made it worse for me - I just NEEDED to know!
Another thing is, don’t get discouraged if it takes you a few tries! I think it took me 4 tries to finish the 20 minute run, but the good news is that it all gets easier from there
I am just…really proud of you. I have been working out since the end of December and have seen some victories. I started on the elliptical at like 5 minutes on resistance and now can do 40 minutes on level 5. It is coming along and yet running…running scares the crap out of me. Thank you for your posts, it makes me feel less alone and a little more like I can do it.
12Oh and last thing…I use Robert Ullrey’s podcasts to run, which tell you when to run/walk! The music is decent too! They are free to download too!
13I’m not a super runner, but I have found a couple of things through working out that I think you might find useful:
- I can download audiobooks from the public library for free! I used to think that there was no way I could run without some loud, high-intensity music blaring. Last week I ran an extra mile because I wanted to hear the ending to “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle”. It’s a nice way to “read” another book while exercising. I especially love it on bike rides.
- Even after breast reduction surgery, I find myself wanting to immobilize my chest while running. Moving Comfort sports bras ROCK. I buy mine from either Zappos or REI. (PS: don’t you wish nipples were like air valves? You could pump up the girls for a date, and deflate them for a run…)
Congrats Jenna, keep up the good work!
Jenna Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 9:01 am
Hahaha! You are funny. I have a killer sports bra from Title 9, but I really should get another.
I think I’m going to pick an audiobook and buy it and ONLY listen to it when I’m running to see if that helps get me through the 20 minutes. I’m also someone who thinks they have to have high intensity music blasting in their ear but maybe I’ll be like you and find that getting lost in the story is even better.
sarah Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 10:21 am
What a great tip about the audio books. I never thought of that. Thanks!!!
I’ve been watching old episodes of Top Chef on my ipod at the gym, but perhaps listening to a good book would benefit me more than watching people cook & eat food! ha!
Congrats! You look great - I think you might win your own competition!
15Yay Jenna! That’s a really big deal. I’m proud of you-and impressed. I hate running, but I know it could be such good exercise for me. I have the 100 pushup challenge on my 101 in 1001 but I might change it to C25k because I hear it can be bad for your wrists! Anyway, congratulations to you and keep up the AWESOME work.
16Congratulations!!! That is such an accomplishment.
17Congrats! That’s so inspiring. I can’t wait to start my own C25K goal as soon as the weather warms up (I don’t have a treadmill I can use right now).
18obviously I don’t see you in real life or very often, but I opened up this entry in my reader and just thought WOW she is looking good! very inspiring as I am in a tough place right now and really need to find small ways to get started at the gym.
Becky Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 9:19 am
I agree. You look awesome!
I had the same issue when I completed the C25K last summer. I did the 20 minute run and could never get any further… so I signed up for a 5k race which forced me to! I also started running outside, which I know may not work for you until the spring, but the changing scenery helped a lot. C25K is a great program. Last summer, 1 mile was incredibly difficult for me. Now, after 3 5ks, and 2 5 mile races, I’m training for my first half marathon.
Good luck! You’re doing awesome already
20This is awesome! You should be so proud of yourself!!
21Woo-hoo!!! Way to go Jenna!! Fabulous accomplishment and you look wonderful!
22I love C25K! My husband and I did it last summer until I got shin splints really bad and running was just too painful for me so I quit
Now that it is colder out we are going to a gym and while I absolutely hate running on a treadmill, I am not having the shin problems I was having. I can’t wait for the spring though. I am cancelling my membership and getting my butt outside!
23Congratulations, Jenna!
Just keep working at it & your endurance will build up! I actually enjoy running on the treadmill because it’s easier to maintain a steady pace & not get burnt out too quickly!
24That’s awesome! I was so nervous I wanted to cry before running on the treadmill for the first time last week… but I did it! I’m still on week 1 of c25k… think I need more than 3 tries at it before running more than 60 seconds at a time! Keep up the good work!
25Go you! My mom is doing the program right now.
The 20 minute run scared the heck out of me. I think I repeated the prior week before attempting it.
I also only let myself listen to music during the running part. It helped.
26I did C25K and was doing amazing with it last year. You’re inspiring me to re-start - I want to run a 5K in April, so I need to get going!
27Congratulations Jenna!
I am a very slow runner who has done 2 half marathons (slowly…). At one of the pre-race dinners, John Bingham (of Runner’s World’s column “No Need for Speed”, said that fast runners have nothing on slow runners. If it takes you 3 hours to run a half marathon, you’ve got to be in better shape than those who take 1.5 hours - look how much longer you can run! I thought that was a lovely way of looking at it!
28Wow great job Jenna! That totally gives me the inspiration since you were the one who said C25K is awesome! I love the idea someone mentioned above about the audiobook, I can definitely see the inspiration to hear more of the story
29Congrats, that’s a huge accomplishment!
I’m not sure if I ever told you this, but for some reason when you first mentioned C25K, I didn’t realize you had a gym in your building. I totally thought you were running along the lake like a crazy fitness trooper in this cold.
I am crazy jealous that you do have a gym, but I need to kick my own butt into gear and do some yoga to keep myself in shape until they clear all this snow!
30Jenna, that is awesome!! Congratulations! I wish I could join your challenge and do C25K, but I have the knees of a geriatric and a bad back, so running is out of the picture for me!
31Congratulations! That’s awesome!
32Congratulations, that is an amazing accomplishment! You look fantastic
Would you mind sharing what type/style sports bra you use? I saw above you mentioned it’s from title 9 and I am “blessed” with a big chest and am hoping my weight loss will help decrease them a bit. I can’t even imagine when I get pregnant 
I just started C25k and I’m starting with week 3. I was working out with a trainer last year and was able to run a mile, but have since lost that stamina. Keep up the great work you are going to rock your 5K. I’m training for one in April so I’m really excited to have a goal to work towards.
Jenna Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
It’s this one: http://www.titlenine.com/product/sports-bras-and-undies/medium-high-impact-sports-bras/313801.do?sortby=ourPicks
I cross my heart and hope to die that you will NOT bounce when wearing this thing. I have to kind of shove myself in there and do the snaps up, but I think it’s worth it because I hate bouncing so much (plus bouncing a lot will make your breasts extra saggy when you get old!) When I first got it I had a hard time adjusting to how it squeezes your upper frame together, but I’m over that by now.
I use to run track/cross country in high school, but I sprained my ankle bad one summer so I haven’t ran in a couple years. I miss it though, I’m so jealous that you are starting out! It IS fun. Don’t listen to people who hate running, just think what makes you happy about it. Also, once you get that first mile down, running is SO much better. At first, running a mile sounds like a huge distance, but when you work your way up to 3, you realize it’s just part of the warm-up!
Here’s my tip:
1) Running always sucks for the first 10 minutes/1 mile no matter how good you are. Don’t allow yourself to EVER decide to stop in that first bit (well, unless you know, major health issues, but don’t think “oh this just feels crappy today I’ll do it tomorrow”. When you do that, you don’t do it the next day either. Get through that “wall” and you’ll find a pace you can just go at.
2) My first 20 minute run was really intimidating, but then later in the season, 20 minute runs were the “easy” days. Just try to reverse your thinking about it. It seems intimidating, but think about how fast 20 minutes flies by on WB or Twitter or Blogs. It’s the same 20 minutes. Just 20, not 2 hours! Don’t convince yourself it will feel like 2 hrs!
3) Slow down if you need to.
4) Keep your mind active. I was never big into music, but fast music does help me when I’m on the tread mill. Or download a “this american life” or something like that. Or even better, find a podcast that it is about 20 minutes long.
5) Cover up the time and don’t allow yourself to look unless you are CONVINCED 10 minutes have gone by. Nothing worse than checking and realizing its only 2 minutes later. Or thinking “shoot, I’m already tired and I have 18 more minutes!!”
6) Drink water before, during, after.
7) Maybe run a couple minutes then stretch and then go for it. That way you don’t spend the first few minutes sore and grumpy. It seems counter intuitive to add more running, but your body can recover from a few minutes of running pretty quickly. If you really don’t want to, at least do the elliptical beforehand.
8) Always keep your treadmill on an incline of at least 1. When you run inside, you don’t have any wind-resistance, so it can be tough to move from indoors to outdoors. Keeping it on 1 act as your “wind resistance”
9) My cross country coach always said, and its so true, “if you can run one mile, you can run three”. The jump from one mile to three is 90% psychological. If you can do 16 minutes, you can definitely do 20.
10) If you run outside, it helps to think “okay, I’m just gonna run to that tree and then re-evaluate if I want to stop or not” then when you get to the tree, think “okay, just till that sign.” It helps if you aren’t “DO OR DIE” about it. And odds are, you aren’t gonna need to stop.
11) Reward yourself with something after. Even something simple like, “I’m gonna watch that episode of TV SHOW X when I get off the treadmill”
Good luck!
Jenn R Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
This is a good list! I agree that you should never quit until after you’ve run the first mile (it almost always sucks) and I agree that you should try thinking about how “short” 20 minutes is. When I first started running, I would always try to think about how someday this distance will just be a warm-up. Also, this might sound counter-intuitive, but you might want to try speeding up at the end - just a little bit. It gets you where you’re going faster and might actually feel better to your body once you’re all warmed up.
Jenn R Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 1:55 pm
Oh - and I also really like to chant the mantra “skinny, skinny, skinny” when I get really tired. It works!
You should be so proud of yourself! I took on this challenge after I had my first baby 15 months ago. I’ve always HATED running. Well I got up to 8 miles straight…no walking! Your body is going to transform! I’m so excited to keep up with your running journey. Keep us updated!
35You look Good Jenna! Keep it up! Soon you’ll know exactly what runner’s mean when we say ” Runner’s high”.
36Just wanted to pop in and say congrats! You’re doing a great job staying on track with exercising and eating!
This really makes me miss running. After this little baby comes, I think I’m going to have to do the C25k and get back on the bandwagon.
Running outside makes such a huge difference too. SO much more enjoyable and you live nice and close to the lake which is great for running. I’m most definitely looking forward to spring!
37I also got really freaked out by the 20 minute run. IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD. Seriously! You HAVE to trust the program. Get yourself a mantra to chant (“I am a runner” “I’m stronger than I know” “Powerful legs”) and a couple of power songs that really get you pumped for those last 4 minutes. You can do it! I promise!
38When I run I don’t like to look at the time. Instead I find a number of songs that I like that add up to about the time i want to run. When I am done with the songs I am done with my work out!
39WAY TO GO!!
40That’s a huge accomplishment
Jenna-you look SO great! I can really see the difference this is making
also, agree with those above that say it is all in your head. Don’t run for the numbers, run because you can do it. Everytime you’re about to quit, give yourself one more minute. Usually once I get past that threshold of “I can’t do it anymore!” about 3 minutes later I get another burst of energy and can get through two miles!
41Good for you Jenna! That’s an awesome milestone!
Here’s my tip for you (in the words of my fav yoga instructor) - you are TEN TIMES stronger than you think you are! You seem to hold a self image of someone who’s “not good at athletic stuff.” Wipe that out of your mind. The main thing that devides that athletic from the non is belief and self image. You’ve seen how powerful your body is (T1′s birth, ex) so embrace it.
42This may be one of your skinniest pictures yet. You look great!!
43Running is so funny. I used to hate hate hate it, but cheapness mandated that it would be my form of exercise-I’m really starting to look forward to runs. If not the whole run itself quite yet, the way I feel after.
The songs/podcast thing is a good idea too. With a couple minutes to go I always end up wimping out after looking at the time.
Congratulations!! I did the C25K plan for my first 2 races, and am looking forward to running a half marathon this summer. You’re such an inspiration to runners of all kinds for starting the program and sharing your stories!
44Woohoo! Congratulations - that’s SO awesome!
45First of all, CONGRATS on a mile. That is a great accomplishment. You really do look great.
Second, if there is anything I have learned about running it’s that half (or more) of the work of running is mental. I know that I am capable of running longer or faster, and I psyche myself out time and again. My tip is this: break it into manageable parts. You know that you can run for 16 mins now, because you’ve done it. So to get those next four minutes? Do it a minute at a time. Or even 15 or 30 seconds.
The treadmill can be a killers cause those little numbers are RIGHT THERE taunting me, so I play a game with myself and decide to run one more minute, and then I can stop. Usually at the end of that minute, I still feel okay, so I make a deal with myself that I go for just one more. You’ll get there!
46great job! Running is hard especially on a treadmill. I’ve been running for a few years and I still can’t stand much more than 20 min on the treadmill because it is so boring! But Chicago is amazing for running outdoors once the weather gets better. The lake front path is beautiful; it distracts me from the physical exertion. Plus, once you have run out x miles, you have to make it home by running the same amount back. I usually am able to keep running just by the knowledge that I’ll be finished sooner if I run instead of walking. Sorry that doesn’t help too much right now but hopefully in a month or so, once you have longer workouts to get through, you’ll be able to take them outdoors which will make things more pleasant
47I’m just getting into running, too, and recently got a treadmill so I can do it at home. What helps me is to find a movie or TV show (I’m a sucker for Gilmore Girls) that I really enjoy watching, and only allow myself to watch it while I’m running. It motivates me to run because I’m itching to watch that movie or show. I also tend to run for a longer amount of time than I normally would because I’m so into the movie or show, I don’t pay attention to the timer on the treadmill. Find something you can really get in to, that will take your mind off the time!
Another thing that helps me is to sign up for a race that’s several months from now. If I’ve paid money to run a race, I’m more likely to prepare for it because I don’t want to waste the money.
These are just a few things that have worked for me. Good luck!
48Congrats! I remember the first time I did the stair climber for 15 minutes. I though I was going to DIE… but I didn’t. Best feeling ever!
49you look amazing!!!
50