Running and I go way back. I ran my first 5k with my mom and sister on Thanksgiving day in 2006. It was cold and we wondered what we were doing as we drove to the race that morning. But guess what – we haven’t missed a year since and I’ve run a handful of other races since. Running holds a special place in my heart. Sometimes I’m not sure why because it isn’t always the most enjoyable thing. However, in the end, running has stuck with me through so much – through the ups and downs of high school, through a 5+ year battle with health struggles, through a college degree and much more.
Sometimes I run for my health, sometimes for peace, sometimes for clarity, sometimes for fun and sometimes just to run. The speeds vary as well as the distance traveled. But in the end running is like a companion that is always there.
Since getting pregnant running has changed a bit for me. I know plenty of people that are declared “runners” that aren’t able to run through their pregnancies because it is hard. I’ve been lucky enough that my body has allowed me to keep running to this point, even if it does look much different than it did 7 months ago.
That’s when this workout (printable version!) comes in – it’s a perfect combination of walking and running! It’s great for beginners that want to slowly get in to running, and it’s great for seasoned runners to mix up their workout. There are 6 speeds in this workout that YOU determine: easy walk, walk, fast walk, light jog, jog/run and sprint. I love it because to some a light jog will be at 5.0 mph and for others it will be 6.5 mph. You decide! It’s a 35 minute workout, but you are welcome to repeat any of the 5 minute sections of the “workout” portion if you would like something longer. It can be done on a treadmill, outside on the road or at a track. As always, make sure you listen to your body and do only what you feel comfortable with.
Hope you enjoy the workout! And that maybe, just maybe, running might start to take a little bit of your heart too.
