The Heusens

Posted by Ashlyn at 12:34 PM | Permalink | Comments

I HATE exercise. I haven't exercised regularly since I was 15 years old. I hate all forms of exercise, but especially hate running. I was the kid who walked laps in P.E. Even when I was in top shape for swimming, I couldn't run a mile without stopping.

Fast-forward to post-pregnancy, and running seems to be the only good exercise option for me. I don't have to have a gym membership, drive anywhere for a class, or arrange for childcare. I can leave immediately from our place, and bring the baby in the stroller. Running seemed like the ideal way to get back on track physically...but first I had to overcome my deep, deep hatred.

My friends Heather and Allison told me about Cool Running's Couch-to-5k, a nine week training program that takes couch potatoes and turns them into 5k-ers through a structured program of running three times per week. I decided to go for it!

I found an awesome hip hop podcast on Kiss My Black Ass that someone created to correspond to the Couch-to-5k training schedule (each week has a different mix that corresponds to when you're supposed to run/walk). After downloading that, I was ready to go!

I am embarrassed to say that I was sore after the first day of alternating 60 seconds jogging, 90 seconds walking for a mere 20 minutes. But I kept at it, and by week four, something clicked. I started looking forward to exercising, and even though each week brought a new physical challenge, it was never so difficult that I felt discouraged. I met each challenge and was so excited that my body was actually doing something that I never thought it could!

The whole process of training was such a life lesson for me. I tend to run my "life marathons" (like my dissertation and all other work activities) at a sprint pace, which leads to quick burnout. It was a powerful object lesson for me to learn that a slow-and-steady pace is better for reaching goals and having a positive experience during the process.

Yesterday, my training program culminated in running an entire 5k race! For me, it felt like a huge accomplishment. Yes, I am slow. And yes, a 5k is not all that impressive for most people. But I felt like I'd overcome a huge hurdle in my life, and was so excited!

I signed up for the Stanford ER Run to benefit emergency services at Stanford Hospital.


Kris and Saya came to support me:


At the start:


After the start, I began jogging. I didn't get caught up in trying to go too fast. I just wanted to maintain my pace (about an 11 minute mile) and be sure to run the entire route. The weather was perfect and the campus was ablaze in fall glory.


During the first mile, I was filled with what I can only describe as pure joy. I was filled with happiness to the point that I felt my heart would burst! I couldn't believe I was doing it! The Britney remix I was listening to only added to my happiness.

I ran the entire time and finished the race in 33:50.


Yes, I was slow. But I met my goal of running the entire time. I was so thrilled and emotional at the end, I almost burst into tears.


It was one of the most inspirational things I've ever done. Now I'm itching to do a 10k!

Posted by Ashlyn at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments