Image: seanvenn (Flickr CC BY-NC-SA)
For some time now I have been wanting to try a fitness regime that people I know are raving about, called CrossFit. At its core, CrossFit is about functional fitness. Rather than providing a body-builder’s V-torso or a marathoner’s lean physique, it will make you strong, fast, fit, and provide the foundation almost any physical undertaking. Gyms bore me to tears and this seems like a brutal but rewarding alternative to a hamster treadmill.
But before I just walk into a CrossFit ‘box’ and sign on the dotted line, I know that I’m 103.5kg with a >30 BMI, and have no more cardio fitness than someone who walks semi-regularly. I may be stupid, but I’m not nuts.
Where better to start addressing that than with the awesome Couch-to-5K (also see here) running program? Four years ago, this program took me from couch potato to completing a 5K fun run – while dressed as Santa - with relative ease while weighing ~110kg. I still have the finisher’s medal sitting in pride of place on my mantlepiece. (Yes, I’m that sad).
Last night I got all my kit ready, much of which has been sitting in a cupboard or drawer since last being used in anger: thin sweatpants, wicking t-shirt*, running shoes and running socks. I also wore the Garmin Forerunner 305 and chest strap, and used the Nike+ footpod with my work iPhone. The Garmin and Nike+ together were clearly overkill, but I wanted the HRM coverage for this first run, and I’m using Robert Ullrey’s Couch-to-5K running music (so I don’t have to worry about timing the runs and walks) so the Nike+ was a bonus. In reality, you can do this with just a watch, or perhaps just an MP3 player with Robert’s music (gives you music and the timing narration).
At 6:45 this morning I began C25K W1D1 (Week 1, Day 1) from the bridleway near my house. I’d completely forgotten how many 60:90 second run/walk groups I was supposed to do, so when I (thought I) was on the last group I ran as fast as I could to finish… only to hear Robert’s voice say, “You’re doing well! That’s the halfway mark. Now get ready for the next run…” I was wondering why it had been so easy, and there was my answer.
I managed complete the run, though didn’t end with a mad dash when the real finish arrived. As logged on Dailymile, my W1D1 covered 1.83 miles in 27 minutes (14:55 pace). It felt amazing (afterwards and all day), and I’m looking forward to the next run on Sunday.
* This shirt now fits me for the first time ever. I no longer feel compelled to wear an ordinary t-shirt over the top to avoid the impression of a beachball wearing a shirt.
