Running (Katie-Ella style)

I can't run.

I can do stuff like Advanced Step, Circuit Class, Aerobics, Legs-Bums-Abs etc etc; no problem. Although I haven't actually been to a gym class for about 6 months, I enjoy the classes and can even do two in row without collapsing.

But after 30 seconds on the treadmill, I start to huff and puff, my chest really hurts and I have to stop. Crap, huh? I'm not even that fat either....(I think)

I have always wanted to be one of those women who could run 5km just like that. You can see them sprinting around on Sunday mornings, chatting easily to their running partners, all fit and trim and healthy. Those bitches.

Last year, some of my colleagues signed up for the Canary Wharf Hearts First fun run and I thought it would be a good thing to join them. The idea of humiliating myself in front of my colleagues would surely force me to train and get fit.

Also, the Hearts First run is relatively easy. It's about 10km in total, but it is made up of around 7 laps so you have the option of running shorter distances if you want. The whole ethos is to do as many laps as you can (up to 10k), have fun and raise miney for the British Heart Foundation.

So I signed up; I bought a running book (I'm one of those people who believe that you can learn everything from books) and got Mr K-E to act as my personal trainer. The training regime is something like this:

Week 1: run 1.0 minutes, walk 3 minutes. Repeat 3 times (16 minutes)
Week 2: run 1.5 minutes, walk 2.5 minutes. Repeat 4 times (20 minute)

etc. You get the picture. Until you are doing more running than walking, and the goal is to be able to run non-stop for 20 minutes.

Well, I never got to the 20-minutes-continuous stage; at my best I did 5 km in about 45 minutes using a run-walk-run technique. Mr K-E would run along with me timing me with his Casio and encouraging me. I used to make him give me a countdown - i.e. 15 seconds, 10 seconds, 5. 4. 3. 2. 1 OK, walk!

At the actual fun run, I did about 5 km, so I didn't humiliate myself too much. Of course, I had all these grand plans of continuing after the event but...but....I didn't.

And now, it's rolled around again and people are being rounded up to do the fun run this year. Well, I can't back out can I?? It would be like moving backwards!

So this evening, Mr K-E is taking me out for a "run".

Hey, if like me, you can't run - do you want to run with me? Tonight I'll probably be doing 20 minutes based on 1 minute run 3 minute walk. Start out easy hahaha. And I've booked myself a massage tomorrow as a "reward" for starting my training again.

PS When I say walk, I don't mean stroll. Think - power shopping!
PPS If you want to get a beginner's guide to running, this is the one I got.