Last night while driving out to the Big Dam Bridge I noticed a lot of people were out running. And none of that faux-jogging stuff I’ve been doing. They looked like runners. Like they were born to trot.

And all the people I saw were different sizes and shapes and they all looked like they belonged there. I found myself a little envious. When I run, I feel like the earth moves beneath me…not because it’s such an awesome experience, but because my faux-jogging resembles a large lame animal lumbering to get away from a predator.

It ain’t pretty. And I sure don’t look like I was born to trot.

I know that being a runner won’t come quickly. But I’ve finished week 2 of my Couch to 5K training and I’m very proud. (My knees are stiff again today. I wonder if it’s just a Friday thing?) When I started this 2 weeks ago, it was taking me 30 minutes to do 2 miles. Yesterday, I did 2 miles in 25 minutes, so I am getting faster, even if I’m not meaning to. This is a good thing.

My goal yesterday was to complete the 4th 90 second run up the hill. Wednesday I only made it for 60 seconds on the incline. I was determined to make the full 90 seconds. It was damn hard. Really damn hard. (and probably the reason my knees are yelling at me today) But I made it. The full minute and a half up an incline…I faux-jogged it.

And I didn’t feel like a poser anymore.

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6 Responses to “Hogzilla: Just a Poser”

  1. Cinde says:

    YAY! You are so not a poser. You are a soldier of pain, lady, good hard worked got it down pain you can be proud of! YOu keep it up, watch what you are putting in your mouth and i guarantee in 2 more wks you will notice something. I suggest you take pics of yourself. Yep, pictures in a bathing suit, undies, shorts/bra -whatever. you don’t have to show a single living soul these. But seriosuly it is really cool to see how your body changes when you exercise and lose weight. And they come in handy when you think the scale isn’t moving, or you are making any gains, you take more pics and compare them. I did it last year and it was so cool to see because when I look in the mirror I don’t see any improvement. I always see ugly flabby girl.

    Anyway, congrats on your faster time! You WILL get there.

  2. Out of curiosity, can I ask how active you were before starting the Couch to 5k plan? The more I read your blog the more I want to join you guys in this effort, but I’m worried that going from sedentary to jogging three times a week is going to kill my knees.

  3. Hogzilla says:

    thanks Cinde! I really feel good about where I am right now. I’m just hoping to continue forward motion. I’m worried about a setback. Also, I’m a little weird because I look in the mirror and see myself as smaller than in real life. It’s strange. I can get dressed, look in the mirror and think “Wow, I’m losing weight.” then get a pic of taken of me and think “wow, I’m freaking huge.”

    Aislinn, I’m hit and miss with my activity. I’m 76 lbs overweight, but I’m fairly active. I was very active in the spring, but spent all summer doing nothing. I was pretty much sedentary for 5 years, then started ‘working out’ about 3 years ago off and on. So I think that probably helped me some in terms of ‘fitness’ level. I’m actually quite fit for someone who is obese. It’s strange. If I were you, I would start out slow, do week 1 at least 2 weeks in a row before moving to week 2. If you have knee problems and that’s a concern, I would definitely start out just walking. Of course, I’m not a doctor and have no medical basis for my advice. See a doc if you think your knees might be a serious problem

  4. Mia says:

    YAY HZ! Go girl go!

    Always see a doctor if you are starting out a new exercise plan. I walk, but even walking can be painful especially when it is in long, long stretches. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you start to do it.

    Go all of us!

  5. KJ says:

    Mel you are the bomb! I’m so proud to be doing this with you. You are my guru. I feel we are so in the same spot well you are much further along than me. You run out side and my 30 minutes only get me to a mile and a half so a really have to step it up. I only got in 2 runs this week due to 2 days of doc appointments. Next week I’m going to repeat week 2 so that I can still feel comfortable about what I’m doing and not want to jump off this train.

  6. Jodie says:

    You definitely aren’t a poser. Never was. Sure, you mightn’t run as fast as those other people, but you have the heart and determination that makes you the real deal. Keep it up!

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