Only if a Bull Chased Me

Looking at this picture today it reminded me of how I used to feel about running. ONLY something like a BULL chasing me would make me want to run. I used to say "I could never run. I am out of breath too fast and having a large chest makes it way too difficult".

That all changed when I moved to Whistler, British Columbia. I met so many fit people that really enjoyed to run. I worked in a Human Resources office and was helping arrange a sign up for the Vancouver 10km Sun Run in 2004. One of the girls that registered called to let me know that she could no longer make it and asked that I should run in her place. I thought about it and decided to go for it. Everyone told me if I can't run the whole race not to worry because people are also walking this event and I could wak what I can't run.

So I started training with a mixture of walking and running. Gradually I was running more than walking and ended up running my first 10km run at the Sun Run in 1hr and 8min only in a few months. I could not beleive it! It was fitting running under a different name that day because in fact I could not believe it was me...I felt like a new woman. This really reconfirmed my beleif that if you put your mind to it; you can do almost anything. Since this run I have also participated in the 100 Whistler Relay, the CIBC Run for Breast Cancer and presently I am registered for The Toronto Waterfront Run.

The reason for writing this blog is in hope to inspire others to believe in themselves. Go out there and try things you are interested in because you never know until you try what you are really capable of.

If you are interested in starting to run and have never run before below is a really gradual 6 week schedule that will lead you to a 5km run with ease. If after this schedule you get hooked you can than work on your speed and strength by adding other techniques eg. sprinting, hill training, different paces and lengths.

Week 1
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - Run 1 min, walk 1 min 10x
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - Run 2 min, walk 2min 3x
Friday - Rest
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Run 2 min, walk 4 min 5x

Week2
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - Run 3 min, walk 3 min 4x
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - Run 3 min, walk 3 min 4x
Friday - Rest
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Run 5 min, walk 3 min 3x

Week 3
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - Run 7 min, walk 2 min 3x
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - Run 8 min, walk 2 min 3x
Friday - Rest
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Run 8 min, walk 2 min 3x

Week 4
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - Run 8 min, walk 2 min 3x
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - Run 10 min, walk 2 min 2x and then run for 5 min
Friday - Rest
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Run 8 min, walk 2 min 3x

Week 5
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - Run 9 min, walk 1 min 3x
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - Run 12 min, walk 2 min 2x and then run for 5 min
Friday - Rest
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Run 8 min, walk 2 min 3x

Week 6
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - Run 15 min, walk 1 min 2x
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - Run 8 min, walk 2 min 3x
Friday - Rest
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Run your first 5km YEAH!!!!

Remember to stretch!