Couch to 5K 2.0: Week 1

In this post I shared my New Year’s resolutions, one of which is:

Complete Memphis St. Jude Half Marathon in December 2010, beginning with In His Steps 5K Run March 27.

Gear

• The 2.0 Part — I’m calling this Couch to 5K 2.0 because I’m doing it with the assistance of a great iPhone app, Aleksander Stankovic’s C25K. For $2.99, a nice-sounding man with a soothing voice will cue you when it’s time to walk or run according to the program, which starts with 60-second intervals and gradually adds more running until you run the entire 5K. You can import your own iTunes playlist, which plays in the background and lets you control it from inside the app. You also get a voice cue that you are halfway through, which I found encouraging, and I like that you can see how much time has elapsed and the remaining time. There’s another iPhone app called Couch to 5K, but this one boasts more features for the same money.

Clothes — I purposely have not begun this program with a brand-new running wardrobe from Nike. I’ll get the stuff the cool kids wear as a reward for my progress. I decided to start with just regular clothes I have around the house. This is OK for a 5K, but for a longer run, I know I’ll have to invest in some quality duds. At the time I left the house, the temperature was 27 degrees. Crazy? Maybe, but I found it exhilarating. Here’s the wardrobe:

• Long underwear bottoms under warmup pants
• Long underwear top under long-sleeve t-shirt
• Fleece toboggan
• Gloves
• Polyester running jacket (the only piece of clothing that is designed for cold-weather exercise; I just happen to have it from a few years ago)
• Neoprene face mask (which makes me look like a burglar)

Cute, right? I felt pretty comfortable throughout the 30-minute time. About 10 minutes in, I dropped the mask off my face and about 20 minutes in, I unzipped my outer jacket. My bottom half felt just about right with the two layers and I really wasn’t cold at any time; the cool air was actually refreshing. The toboggan felt good, but I missed the sun protection of the baseball cap I usually wear. Disclaimer: I have a weird affinity for cold weather, so YMMV on the warmth.

How it Went — Actually, it felt pretty good. I was able to run all but two of the running segments. I walked through those because my sister, a doctor and marathon runner, advised me and my 51-year-old body to always walk up hills. So if I find a less hilly route, I’ll be able to run those other two minutes.

I plan to chronicle this journey and the 5K race; then I’ll move on to a 10K and if all goes well, training for the half marathon. I want one of these stickers!

Related posts:

1. Geeks and Startups
2. Couch to 5K 2.0: Week 1, Day 3
3. What Not to Do with Your iPhone and Why I Love Apple So Much
4. Finally!
5. iGot iPhone!