Day 2: From Couch Potato to 5k – Oh It Hurts!

Well, I survived my first day of fitness training using the From Couch Potato to 5k program, and to be honest it kicked my butt! I was suppose to take a brisk walk for 5 minutes and then alternate jog for 60 seconds and walk for 90 seconds for a total of 20 minutes. I started out good. I was hyped. I was going to do this. My mind was made up! I started the stopwatch and off I went.

Up one little hill, down the one little hill…dogs in tow. Up the next little hill, down the next little hill…dogs saw a rabbit and took off (thanks guys, love the support!). By this time, I’m panting and my chest is hurting. Breathe…Kelli…Breathe. I started taking calculated breaths. In through the nose for 8 seconds, hold for 8 seconds, out through the mouth for 8 seconds. Checked stopwatch..2 minutes 32 seconds. That’s when it hit…leg cramps…ouch! What the heck! My calves were on fire. Seriously I thought they were going to fall off!

“I can do this! I gave birth to three kids! I’m an overcomer! I follow through! Oh how I hurt!” Looked down at the stopwatch…surely it’s been 5 minutes….please tell me it’s been 5 minutes. What, only 3 minutes 3 seconds? By this time, I’m down to a snail’s pace. The dogs find me and they’re happily sprinting next me. I think they even have smiles on their faces. But, hey…they have four legs. I could probably do this if I had four legs. Speaking of legs…I need crutches! Better yet, I’ll just call my husband to come pick me up in the car.

By this time I’m really talking to myself and loudly. It’s probably a good thing that we live on acreage because if the neighbors would have seen me, they probably would have thought I was a mental case. Well, I am at times but that’s besides the point!

Okay, just about 100 feet to the beginning point…I can do this! Looked down at the stopwatch and it had stopped…not sure when. I’m dragging myself back to where I started. This is pathetic! All I can focus on are my contracted calves. I tried to stretch them out but that only hurt worse. Ha, and to think I need to endure another 20 minutes of this crap…yeah, right! I went into the house, found some Biofreeze and loaded up the calves. Rested for about 30 minutes and decided that I was going to finish this task. Darn it…I can do this!

Put on my cute pink headphones and really cranked up the Disco music…maybe the music wasn’t loud enough before to drown out the calf pain! Jog for 60 seconds…sure, I can do this…it’s only 60 seconds. Made it! Now walk for 90 seconds…I can do this…it’s only 90 seconds. BAM! Leg cramps…ooo ouch! I’m not liking this too much, but I can do this! I made it through 20 minutes and what a feeling of accomplishment (and pain).

Later in the day, I met my son at the gym and walked another 20 minutes on the treadmill. See, I can do this! And I did!

Today (Day 2), I’ll be working with my Personal Trainer, Roshawn, and then back to the gym for an upper body circuit. I can do this! Watch for tomorrow’s post for updates.

Thank you for following me on this journey and for your support. I’m so encouraged by all the love and feedback!

P.S. Because I want to get the proper amount of sleep, I’ve been going to bed at 10:00 p.m. (early for me) and sleeping a good 7 hours. Except last night! Went to bed at 10:00 and was up at 2:30 a.m…up ever since. Please tell me that this is not a side effect of getting into shape. I love my sleep…oh how I love my sleep!