Get Off Your Duff Steppe!

One more installment to go in my series on Nauruz, 2010. To be sure, it was a positively wonderful last, truly cultural, event we were privileged enough to get to experience. Hopefully, I’ll get that written and posted on Saturday.

But before I finish that up, I want to begin using this blog as a place to stash my thoughts on my training. HUH!??, you say. Yes, I know what you’re thinking! “But Steppe, you’re not a runner. You don’t like exercise, and we haven’t seen you get off your increasingly doughboyish bum in like 10 years.”

OK. I’m caught. You are right. Not only do I NOT like exercise in most shapes or forms, I really despise doing things to my lungs that should be illegal. And I DON'T like the shape this 42 year old bod is taking MORE. So, I have taken up jogging as a way to torture my puny and squishy “muscles” into some sort of shape that resembles toned. I know it will take time; lots of it, in fact. That I have; at least a little. Well, I have until August 29th, when I head out to Disney World- where I want to look better than I do now. It seems that lately as I see any pictures of myself at birthdays, holidays, whatever, this flabbiness just seems to stare back at me with an annoying presence. It needs to be taken care of.

So, in addition to stories of our lives on the Steppe, you will once in a while have to endure a few random thoughts about how my “running” (I use that term in its most liberal sense) is going. I’m sure my DISFriends will appreciate it being here rather than on the Boards, so they don’t have to abide them if they don’t want to. I’ll still post my progress just a little over there too, because, after all, it does have a little relevance to what you’ll see later in my Trip Report. Right?

“So, what sort of program are you using”, I hear you musing. (I apologize to those who’ve already heard this) I am using a slow progressive running program called C25K. (Couch to 5K) It starts with baby steps, and eventually works you up to running 25 minutes straight in 9 weeks. I’m taking it way slower, and am in fact, spending about 2-3 weeks on each week’s workout. So far, so hard. Yeah, it’s just like I thought it’d be: hard. Too bad it’s so much easier to get fat, and so much more enjoyable. I mean who doesn’t like to sit and eat?

So, I’m up to Week 2, and comfortable camping there for several more times. Week 2 is 90 second runs, alternating with 2 minute recovery walks. By the 6th interval, my lungs need mini-fire extinguishers, and my legs resemble the strawberry Jello NariLoo just took out of the fridge. It’s rather frightening, in fact. The good news is that I’ve been at it for about 4 weeks now, and my calves are feeling firmer. This is good because the curse of the cellulite was taking a leisurely stroll down south.

Anyone want to take up the challenge with me?? Feeling like you need to firm up some places that have been jiggly a little (or a lot)too long?? Let me know!!! SteppeSister’s ready to roll!!!!