Wide Eyed Wanderer

So I took peoples’ advice and I did a 5 minute jogging in place for a warm up. I then did some stretches before setting out on my mile. This time I couldn’t even make it a half mile without my legs cramping up! I just turned around and hobbled back to my house. It was so much pain. What am I doing wrong??

Edit: I eat at least one banana a day and take a vitamin so I think I get plenty of potassium…and it really could have a lot to do with my sneakers since I still haven’t bought running shoes.

What do you do to warm up before stretching?

I must be doing something wrong. My calves are hurting so bad I want to cry. I’ve been stretching before I run my mile. I can go about a half mile before they start tightening up. It’s awful. What am I doing wrong??

If I’m going to stick with this running thing, I need to buy a pair of running sneakers. My sneakers are making my feet hurt. Can you suggest a brand that I could buy that aren’t terribly expensive?

Step 1: Put on your sneakers.
Step 2: Attempt to do stretches.
Step 3: Walk for 5 minutes (or 1 song on IPod).
Step 4: Run until you feel like you might die. 
Step 5: Walk a little.
Step 6: Run some more and say KEEP GOING KEEP GOING
Step 7: Wave your arms in the air when you’ve reached your distance like a crazy lady and hope nobody saw you.
Step 8: Hobble the rest of the way home.

I just don’t feel like running. These are the days that start me on the cycle of quitting. I can’t give up now! I have a 5K to run in August!! I did however walk a mile today when we took the kids outside….but it was in sandals at a slow pace. I already have my work out clothes on, so I’m ready to go after dinner. I just need to DO IT!

I did Day 3 of Week 1 of Couch to 5K today. Today was the worst day so far (since I decided to train for a 5K). It started out okay. It was a perfect temperature (when the wind wasn’t bringing tears to my eyes) and a beautiful day! I did my 5 minutes of walking to warm up then began. Everything was fine until about half way through.

Then I started to get terrible cramps in the sides of my calves. It almost brought tears to my eyes. STILL I continued on. I did not quit. Part of that is probably because my husband kept pushing me to continue and telling me if I stopped my legs would tighten up more.

I’m not sure what I need to do to avoid that kind of pain. I guess stretching before hand could help some. I didn’t have this problem the previous two days this past week…maybe I was pushing myself harder this time? I would love any advice!! 

Here is my countdown to Color Me Rad:

Day 2 of Couch to 5K. My husband and I set out after dinner. This time we turned left at our driveway instead of right to avoid the GIANT hill at the other end that almost killed me yesterday. It is quite breezy out there. I’m pretty sure I ate a pound of sand, not to mention the amount that got into my eyes. The first half was great. I was running like (with) the wind. The way back felt like I wasn’t even moving. Stupid wind!