Arrogant Little Voices

I had this post planned before I wrote it. I was driving to the gym, and the arrogant little voice in my head was planning to casually mention to all of you that I started the Couch to 5K program this week, and the first run was a breeze. The arrogant little voice had plans to be deceptively humble, and say that the transition from elliptical to treadmill was really going to be the challenge, because I'm already able to run 30-40 minutes (2.5-3 miles) on the elliptical without stopping. Oh yes, this arrogant voice had plans.

And then I stepped on the treadmill. And then I warmed up. And then I began running. The arrogant little voice in my head run and hid. I don't know what it was about the first C25K workout that was so hard--perhaps it was just getting adjusted to the transition of elliptical to treadmill. There is, after all, a lot more stress on the joints, and a considerably less fluid motion of the legs and arms. I get tired more quickly on a treadmill, my heart rate spikes more highly on one (182 yesterday, yikes!!). Perhaps it was the stop-and-go nature of the first workout (jog 60 seconds, walk 90, repeat for 20 minutes). I'm used to slowing down and speeding up, but never walking. I wanted to quit in embarrassment.

But I didn't. I wanted to absolutely die from the combination of sweat, a too-rapidly beating heart, a face red from heat and embarrassment, and sore boobs, but I didn't. I completed the workout. I have motivation to move on to the second. And the arrogant little voice? He's peeking furtively around corners making sure no one sees him.