Running (Part 1)

I have had a few questions about my running program so I thought I would devote some time and write about it. I want to start out saying I never thought I would be a runner. I hate gym class in school mostly because of the mile runs. When this bug hit me earlier this year I was surprised, but I am very much loving everything about it.


Let’s start where I started – 6 weeks after surgery. I was 245 pounds and decided to start the Couch to 5k (C25K) program. I had done some walking before this, but no running. The first week was 60 seconds of running and 90 seconds of walking for 20 minutes. The plan is to do this 3 times a week, but it took me a little less than 2 weeks to get three successful runs in. I had to do a couple of the runs twice since I couldn’t complete them the first time. All in all it was pretty hard, but the feeling of accomplishment was great.

In week 2 (in reality my week 3), the plan was to do 90 seconds of running and 2 minutes of walking for 20 minutes. I was able to do all three runs without any major problems – until the runs were over. Afterwards, not only did I feel like I wanted to puke, but also my legs were killing me. I would ice my knees after every run and put layers of Bengay on. After this week, I gave up on running for a while to give my legs a chance to heal. Some days it hurt to even walk. Was this a fault of the running program, my weight, a bad hotel treadmill? I wasn’t sure. All I knew was I hurt.

Fast forward 6-8 weeks to mid March. My legs still hurt. I decided I couldn’t wait any longer to get going again. I decided to start with a week of good walking (1-3 miles 5 times a week). In the second week I started the C25K program again. Week 1 and 2 went pretty good. I did the runs three times a week, but added in a lot of trail walking. It was hard, but much easier than last time. I still had to use a lot of Bengay and ice, but I could walk and the pain didn’t last.

Week three was a different story. It took me 2 weeks (maybe longer) to get through the 3 runs that included 3 minute runs and walks. By day 1 of week 4 I realized that I didn’t want to do this anymore. I really like running, but I didn’t like the way my body felt. Plus at the end of the C25K program I would be prepared to run “only” 30 minutes. I knew 3.1 miles would take longer than 30 minutes. So what was the point of killing myself???

I decided to keep create my own program. I continued trail walking and upped my mileage to build endurance. I also added in several short runs (similar to the C25K length), but instead of doing intervals they suggested I just ran what was comfortable. I felt great and was doing much better, but one thing I noticed is that I used up a lot of my energy on the first half of the run and slowed down during the second half.

I ran my first 5k on May 23rd (about 9 weeks after restarting my running program). It was great. I started very strong and liberally added in walk intervals when I “needed” them. By mile 2 this was a lot. By mile three I was mostly walking. But I did start running again during the last stretch. I crossed the finish line a little under 50 minutes – which was 10 minutes less than my goal. Yes I am slow, but I crossed the finish line feeling amazing!!

After the race I was feeling great, but a little burnt out. I stopped running for about a week and a half until I started my half marathon training in early June. When I went for the orientation I was loving what I heard. I had read a little about the program we were going to use, Galloway’s, but hearing them talk about what it had done for them or what they had heard from a seminar by Galloway was great. The lack of injuries, the rate of success, the fact that you can actually run faster and farther than with other programs, and that you will actually end each run with a smile on your face instead of in pain and want to puke. It was everything I wanted, but could all these things be really true or was this just their sale’s pitch.

After 5 weeks I am a true believer. I have done several 3 mile runs, a 4 miler, a 5 miler and a 6 miler. Except for the very first group run I have ended each run with the same feeling of accomplishment that the C25K program gave me, but without the pain and desire to puke. In fact, my feeling of accomplishment is even higher. I ran for an hour and 40 minutes in the rain with humidity so high my glasses fogged up and I still ended with a smile. It is absolutely wonderful.

The strange part is that even though I am walking more than before I am actually faster than when I did the longer runs. Also, I don’t slow down at the end of each run and can run each mile at roughly the same pace. It seems strange to feel just as good at mile 5 as I did at mile 1. Now don’t get me wrong. It is hard. I can tell I am running 5 miles and my body is getting a great workout, but unlike before I feel strong enough to keep going. It is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!!!!

The funniest part is we pass runners all the time that look like they are in pain and are dying. They do not look like they are enjoying themselves at all. From what our trainers have said these same exact people will be running the half marathon with us. They typically end upset with themselves and their run and threaten to stop doing it - year after year. They know about the program but scoff at it. I really don’t understand why they put so much time into something they hate. (btw – I am not saying that everyone who doesn’t use this method is wrong. I am saying that people who are miserable may want to consider finding another way to run or find something else they love.)

Since this blog is getting long I will continue later with details on the Galloway program and how have implemented so far. Stay tuned ;)