Fit and Run.Info

My first run at the SRP

I just arrived in Cebu last Wednesday night and for my fifth day of the couch-to-5k running plan, I went the SRP route at the Talisay City side. It’s really quite convenient as its just near our house and I was able to log in a total of 6.56 (back and forth), run/walk along the sidewalk for an hour.

The SRP is the newest highway in this part of eastern Cebu that is open to private vehicles and taxis with a good view of the sea and the city. At the same time it decongests the main highway and cuts down time considerably when traveling between the cities of Talisay and Cebu.

Early in the morning, there are also lots of runners who jog along the elevated sidewalk at both sides of the road but the stream of vehicles and the pollution can be a hassle even at this early time of the day. However, the sceneries are quite okay that I can’t help think of possible photo projects to do related to this stretch of highway.

On my run/walk combo, I pushed a little bit on the speed at 90s/120s interval but still enough to still make it a fun and worthwhile endeavor.

I was just too tired from last night’s bad experience at Terminal 3 and wasn’t able to wake up early this morning. My plan was to hit the road at SRP which is just near our house here in Cebu at 5AM. Instead, I woke up around 8AM! Good thing that we have a treadmill here at home that’s why I was still able to run.

The second week of the couch-to-5k running plan ups the ante from last week. It consists of 90s runs with 2 minutes walk for 20 minutes with warm up walks and stretches before and after.

If I wasn’t quiet busy the previous days, I would’ve started this last Tuesday but because of work, was delayed. I now have to play catch up for the rest of the week. In the meantime, I was invited by Max for their Friday night run tomorrow and, considering my running level, isn’t really too sure about it but he did assure me that it would be fun even for beginners.

Let’s see

I just finished week one of the 9-week couch-to-5k running program from coolrunning.com and, I think I did well. The first week is a three day run involving alternate 60s/90s run and walk. I religiously woke at 0445H Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday even if sometimes, well, most of the time, I sleep late. There were no body pains and sore muscles were negligible.

My running area was strictly within the vicinity of the Legazpi Village park, a small place that I prefer since at the time of my runs, there are very few vehicles passing, well paved walkways and not too crowded with other runners. Pollution level, I think, is also much lower.

And how did my running shoes fared? I think good. The pair fit right and I was comfortable with it at all times without hurting my feet or toes.

Now that I’m done with the first week, I’m looking forward to the next phase: 90s/120s run and walk at still 20 minutes per day.

I just arrived from my first day of the couch-to-5k running plan and really, I feel good!

This plan is a beginner’s running schedule targeted for nine weeks available at coolrunning.com which Max Limpag referred to me last December:

…the beginners’ program we outline here is less of a running regimen than a walking and jogging program. The idea is to transform you from couch potato to runner, getting you running three miles (or 5K) on a regular basis in just two months.

I’m not really a novice runner, having made some sporadic jogs from time to time but failed to follow through and sometimes did it wrong. In my haste last year, I got left knee pain and had to stop. As I said in my previous post, I want to start from scratch. Start it right to prevent injuries and, perhaps, nay, do a marathon before the year ends. All these to really get fit again after stopping going to the gym a few years ago.

How was my run? Simple.

I woke up at around 0440H and got dressed then…

• warm-up walk to Legazpi Village in Makati City (because of the distance, around 15 minutes)
• stretched for 10 minutes
• 60 seconds of slow/moderate running interspersed with 90 second walks for 20 minutes
• walked back home
• stretched again

No strenuous run. Just slow/moderate jog that is enough to break into a sweat without catching my breath. I’m looking forward to run Thursday and, perhaps Friday.