One Small Step...HURTS!

Today was my 3rd day of running this week on Week 1 of my Couch to 5K journey.
And all I have to say about it is...
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUCH!

It was hard.  Really, really hard to make it all the way through the workout.
To start with, my iPod erased the podcast that I was using during the workout that gave me all the nice verbal cues to either start running or slow to a walk.  I'd gotten used to that guy whispering encouraging catch phrases in my ear, no matter how corny they were.  "You can do it!" was said at least 3 times over the 25 minute workout.

So, I had to use a different podcast that was not as good, but it did the job.  I'm starting to think about making my own weekly mix of music that I actually enjoy though, because some of the stuff they put in there is just crap.  But, the point is not the music (reminding myself here), it's to get up and running.

Okay, so the mix-up with the music was one problem.  But the bigger problem was HOW HARD IT WAS TO JUST DO IT today.

I'm going to use my best whiny voice here:
It was HAAAAARD.  My legs HURRRRRRRRT.  I didn't wanna do it anymore.

And that was only by the third 60 second running interval.  My legs were starting to cramp.  My breathing was really labored, and it felt like I hadn't even bothered to use my inhaler - which I totally had!  It was just really, really hard to get through it this morning.

By the fourth running interval, I was really ready to quit and just hop on the elliptical machine.
Oh sweet elliptical, how I miss you so.  You're really boring, but you never made me hurt so much.

It was really tempting.
BUT......  (yes, I've got a big but here.  Badda bing!)
I persevered.  I kept on keeping on, telling myself, "It's just 4 more runs.  Just three more.  Come on, you can do it, just 2 more and then you're done."
And thankfully, by the last 2 running intervals it was starting to get a little more manageable again, and I was out of danger of quitting the treadmill and heading for the calmer waters of the elliptical, which doesn't actually have anything to do with water...but you get my point.

So, I'm really proud of myself.  I stuck it out.  I endured.
And tomorrow at Weigh-in Saturday at Weight Watchers,
the scale had better show it!