I thought this running class was for couch potatoes

Photo Credit:  holdosi

I thought this class was for couch potatoes.

 

You may remember the first post I did about running here.  So we go to the first class and we figure it will be pretty laid back. I wear a sweat shirt, jogging pants and a black puffy coat. I don’t look amazing but I figure we will do some light exercising. We step inside and head to the counter to ask where to go. The man motions us to sit next to some girls waiting to go inside. This was my first clue that I should run out of there. The two girls next to use were thin and looked very much in shape. A few minutes later we see the teacher and she is slim as well. The class begins and every one in there looks fit and in shape.  It was like high school all over again. We were the odd people and that felt uncomfortable.

The teacher asks if anyone hasn’t run before? Yup just Caron and I put up our hands gingerly.  We get the run down on the stance, posture etc.  Then we do a bunch of exercises and these were not easy at all. I was exhausted after 10 minutes. Then the teacher says okay we are heading out for 20 minutes. The first group would be 1 minute walking then 2 minutes of running. We were in the very back and were the only ones at the end doing 1 minutes of running and 2 minutes of walking. Caron and I were in shock. There was a woman
assigned to use the stragglers. We panted and could barely catch our breath during this time period. My chest was pounding and I said to the lady shadowing us there is something wrong with your title “Sofa to 5K”. Where are the couch potatoes I asked? She said something about there were some out of shape people in the class but I didn’t see them at any time. She sweetly told us to wear a light breathable top and then a shell over top. I guess she saw my mammoth coat and hoodie.

The clue should have been when the lady told us we would be so sore the next day and how we should take a bath in salts. I think the frustrating part was being in a class that wasn’t for newbie runners.

Have you ever run for exercise?

Keep up with all the bloom worthy news here.

Hi, I'm Michelle the artist, visionary, creator and designer of Two Blooms Design Studio. I moved from a big city to Vancouver Island and fell in love with the west coast. My world is surrounded by beautiful scents, on trend design and endless possibilities.

Run a 5K, are you joking?

Run a 5K, are you joking?

   

Caron (the other bloom of Two Blooms) has posted about our running adventure here and here and now it’s my turn to describe the events that led up to me joining this torturous class.  Yup Caron saw a sign driving by several times that said ‘Sofa to 5 K’ and for some reason it was calling her. The only time I’ve run is in high school and college and it was never something I loved. I did it more because it was required for gym credits. In college I toyed with it because we had a track close by and the odd time here and there I would run for exercise. Years ago I tried the beginner’s running method where you walk for 5 minutes and running 1 minute or something like that.  I tried it several times but never really stuck with it. Deep down though I’ve always wondered if I could run some sort of marathon. I’m in city that is known for this as there are several marathons year found because we have the ideal climate. 

A few years ago I remember going to Washington for a crab festival and on the way to the ferry there was a marathon happening. We were early so we stood and watched people passing the finished line. There were all ages and some brought tears to my eyes. It was that moment that I secretly wondered if I could ever muster up the ability to do a marathon. There never really is a question if I can physically do it because with determination and patience I think most of us can accomplish anything if we really put our minds to it.

So Caron calls and asks about the course and its full. I hear her on the phone and I breathe a secret sign of relief. I’m out of shape. Yes I walk a lot but I’m not used to running at all. So Caron goes on the wait list. Finally we get a call and one spot is open. I’m still relieved and tell Caron she can go the class alone and teach me the ropes. She says to the lady we are waiting for another spot. You guessed it we get a second call saying I’m in. While the lady puts Caron on hold she is yelling to me asking if I want to do it and I’m debating back and forth and finally yell yes but hesitantly.  To be continued in another post.

Has anything happened recently that you've dreaded? You dread it because you know it's good for you and you don't want to do it or maybe it's a obligation of sorts.

Stay up to date here.

Hi, I’m Michelle the founder of Two Blooms Design Studio Est. 2002. I’m in charge of production, designing all of our labels in house, photography, customer service, alchemist behind all of our scent blends, designer, creator and pretty much whatever else needs to be done.

Ready Set Run

Ready Set Run

   

We arrived at the rec centre last night pretty excited to get started.  The first clue was seeing the long, tall, stick thin girls standing nearby.  All wearing reflective running tights, matching running jackets, trendy caps on their perfectly coiffed pony tails and laughing.

The itsy bitsy instructor arrives and welcomes us into the space.  Its too late to run out screaming.  I keeping saying to the little bloom “where are the people that have sat on their couch too long?” but she shushed me and we began the class.

 

20 minutes in and we’ve stretched every muscle imaginable, I am breathless but ok.  Then Itsy Bitsy announces, “ok everyone, lets head out for a run”.  Huh?  What?  All the runners assemble at the front and off they go like a shot, “we’ll do a 2-1 tonight, run for 2 minutes, walk for 1”.  Everyone slips on their headlights and run off like a pack of gazelles.  The headlamp I grabbed had a defect I discovered, so only one side of the straps connected.  While fumbling out the door I stepped on one of the elite runners, apologizing profusely to her she simply gave me a sympathetic nod.  So I grabbed the elastic cord and tied it in a big knot and slammed it on my head, looking in the reflection before I headed out and I realized I looked just like Gary Busey.

Undaunted I got out the door, with my deranged headlamp and can only see the rest of the team from a distance.  A second instructor emerges and says “I am the designate end of the pack runner, I’ll be with you”.  She flips out her phone, hits the button and says ‘now run for TWO MINUTES”.  Still in shock that it is pitch black outside and the demented headlight barely casts a light I start running to catch up to the elite runners.  As I am running the sweet instructor beside me says “is this your first time running?”  “CAN YOU TELL?” I breathlessly snort out. 

She laughs and Little Bloom barely misses smashing into a gigantic black boulder jutting out of nowhere.  Its been raining so there are big puddles, the leaves are almost off the trees and they make sweet little skating rinks if you happen to step on one.  I cannot see the puddles and end up plopping right into the middle of them.  Sweet instructor beside me keeps up a running dialog, I can’t even answer her.  I try and see what street we’re running on because if anyone I know lives there, I want to slip into their garage and wait out this run from hell. 

Ten minutes one direction, Little Bloom is slightly ahead of me and the elite pack are so far ahead I can only see their reflective stripes.  Then we turn around and run back, my body is in shock and I can only process the command run or walk.  Miraculously we get back to the rec centre, I am looking for a stretcher and oxygen, all the other runners have been back for so long they’re had drinks of water and are checking their phone for messages.  We straggle in and finish up with 20 minutes of squats and planks.  To be continued.

Sit back and relax while you read our blog posts here.

Caron is one of the blooms of Two Blooms Design Studio Est. 2002. She is the dreamer, production manager, self taught chef and the social media wannabe. Caron is married to the word adventure and she will never stop dreaming.