Running + Running Gadgets

After having a couple of days to rest and reflect, I thought the best course of action would be to start at the beginning.  I've been running now for a little over a year, but in that time my training has been derailed for a variety of reasons. Some good (wedding!), some not so good (sore <insert body part>). So, while I wouldn't say I'm a beginning runner, my thought was that going back to a very basic beginning program would give myself an idea of where I am, and where I need to be in 52 weeks (yikes! when I say it like that it doesn't seem so far away).

When I first started running I used the Couch Potato to 5k program from the website Cool Running. I think this is a great program, and if you do an internet search, or take a look on iTunes, you should find some helpful podcasts that help you keep track of the intervals. I have a Nike+ Sport Band and Timex Women's Ironman watch that I use to keep tracking of my time and distance.  The sport band doesn't do intervals, and the Ironman watch only holds up to two intervals at a time, and at a certain point that made following the program a little difficult.  I'm not complaining about either piece of equipment. I'm quite in love with them to be honest, but the limitations did make it difficult to follow the program exactly.  A quick fix to this problem, is that I could have used one of the podcasts that I mentioned previously, and used the Nike+ attachment for my iPod (are you getting a sense that I have a gadgets problem?).   But I've found, as I've trained more, that I actually like not listening to music while I'm running.  If anything, I'm paranoid that I won't be able to hear a passing car or bicycle and be run over (but that's a whole other paranoia for another day). It’s also nice, if I’m running with my wife to be able to have a conversation, or if I’m running by myself, to take the time to let my mind wander.

Gadgets are fun. For me, they are a treat I use to reward myself for the work that I do. They are also something to monkey with and focus on if I’m having a tough workout. However, gadgets are just tools. They don’t actually make you run faster, or longer, or better. They don’t make you lose weight or gain muscle. That comes through time spent working out. They just make it a little more fun sometimes.

For this going-back-to-basics training, I am planning on using a 5k training program I found in a Runner’s World magazine. There are only two intervals each week. Week 1 consists of two minutes running and four minutes walking. Once I have been able to maintain running for 30 minutes consistently I will move onto the full marathon training. For now, it is important to build up a good base. That base building will also include weight training, Krav Maga, and yoga – but those are topics for another day.