Huh. It didn't kill me...
Dec. 3rd, 2011 11:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ursangnomeThe Boston Run for you Lives sounds like a really cool thing. In order to take part, you have to be ready to run 5 kilometers, about three miles, get over, under, or through a dozen obstacles, all while being chased by zombies.
Now, there are competition runners, but for your typical health jogger, you can imagine a 5k race as running for a non-stop half hour. These days, if the weather is good I walk about 2 and a half miles to get to work, and the same back. So, while I get my 10,000 steps a day, I've never in my life been a runner. If I want to take part in this, and not just end up a zombie myself, I'm going to have to train.
Luckily, Tufts allows alumni to use the gym, for reasonable rates (even on parking), and there's an indoor track.
The, "never been a runner," thing has been looming over me, though. I am not in great cardiovascular shape. I did my research, spoke to my brother, who back in his day was a cross-country track star type, and settled on Couch to 5K as a program. The starting workout is simple: 5 minutes brisk walk warmup, for 20 minutes alternate 1 minute running with 1.5 minutes walking, then a 5 minute walk cool-down.
I honestly didn't expect to be able to make it through on the first try. I expected to get halfway or three-quarters through and have to sit down. But no - while I was puffing like and old steam locomotive, I got through it on my feet.
I admit, having My Lady there was a darned good motivator for the first run. As far as the general public is concerned my shame has an off switch I can flip at will, but I didn't really want to embarrass myself in front of my wife. Not that I don't do that on a regular basis, but curling up without a breath in my lungs just isn't all that... manly and macho, you know?
So, now if I can do that three times a week or so, I may well be able to get through this. Of course, I'm going to have to add some upper-body work into the mix, as I'm sure there'll be fences or the like to climb. But, one hurdle at a time...
Now, there are competition runners, but for your typical health jogger, you can imagine a 5k race as running for a non-stop half hour. These days, if the weather is good I walk about 2 and a half miles to get to work, and the same back. So, while I get my 10,000 steps a day, I've never in my life been a runner. If I want to take part in this, and not just end up a zombie myself, I'm going to have to train.
Luckily, Tufts allows alumni to use the gym, for reasonable rates (even on parking), and there's an indoor track.
The, "never been a runner," thing has been looming over me, though. I am not in great cardiovascular shape. I did my research, spoke to my brother, who back in his day was a cross-country track star type, and settled on Couch to 5K as a program. The starting workout is simple: 5 minutes brisk walk warmup, for 20 minutes alternate 1 minute running with 1.5 minutes walking, then a 5 minute walk cool-down.
I honestly didn't expect to be able to make it through on the first try. I expected to get halfway or three-quarters through and have to sit down. But no - while I was puffing like and old steam locomotive, I got through it on my feet.
I admit, having My Lady there was a darned good motivator for the first run. As far as the general public is concerned my shame has an off switch I can flip at will, but I didn't really want to embarrass myself in front of my wife. Not that I don't do that on a regular basis, but curling up without a breath in my lungs just isn't all that... manly and macho, you know?
So, now if I can do that three times a week or so, I may well be able to get through this. Of course, I'm going to have to add some upper-body work into the mix, as I'm sure there'll be fences or the like to climb. But, one hurdle at a time...
