Dealing with PCOS weight gain, insulin resistance and a shoulder injury had me feeling like I was at a crossroads on my fitness journey. I was struggling to perform calisthenics and do weight training, as even movements not focused on my shoulder ended up causing me pain.
Regardless, I needed to get active. Enter running: it wouldn’t strain my shoulder nearly as much, and I would still be making progress fitness-wise. I figured it wouldn’t break the bank; I could do it anywhere.
After a bit of research about how to begin running, I decided to do what works best for me: gamify the process with the running app, Zombies, Run. They offer subscriptions for audio-based workouts with an rpg-like reward system, and this seemed ideal to me, as someone who enjoys a bit of structure and fun at the same time.
I also decided to create a goal for myself: run my first 5K in Mexico. Browsing the upcoming races, I found the perfect fit: a recreational 5K Halloween race in Mexico City.
I downloaded the Zombies, Run universe app, ZRX, and started their free trial. I figured some structure and a solid plan packaged in a fun-interactive game style app would be just the trick to get me started. I zeroed in on the (no longer available) Marvel Move section of ZRX choosing the Thor and Loki inspired couch to 5K. The mission: travel the 9 Norse realms in 8 weeks and save Midgard. Three workouts a week for 8 weeks to be able to run a 5K seemed like a solid deal. The Halloween race would happen at about the 6 week mark of the journey, but that was fine by me, it was not competitive and didn’t have a time limit, so I could complete it regardless.
With all that decided, I went to Wal-Mart and got myself the cheapest pair of running shoes I could find. I was ready. The next day I put on my athletic swag and with little inner objection, I headed outside, earphones on, and ZRX app open. The app tracks your movement by GPS when running outside but also has indoor running options. I surprised myself; I endured the workout and didn’t give up!
By the end of week one, I noticed a brutal pain in my shins. I had to face it, those Wal-Mart shoes were not cutting it. I went to a sportswear store and got myself some affordable Nike shoes. After a few days of rest, ensuring the pain was gone (I do not recommend pushing through shin splints as it can increase your risk of injury), I started running again. Those new made all the difference in the world, I was able to run without much trouble and kept going with my plan.
On the days I just didn’t want to, I would force myself to get outside and would rarely regret it. This Thor and Loki themed program turned out to be a lot of fun. The voice actors did a great job of embodying the characters, and it felt weirdly immersive: Loki telling me to “go to that copse ahead” as I ran toward a cluster of trees.
I started to enjoy the process, these were challenging workouts that didn’t deplete me, and they gave me a chance to see my little town from a new perspective, running around the main streets as the sun was setting, the sky’s backdrop felt like a little treat.
I was prioritizing healthier eating habits at the same time, and the scale began to go down slowly, great news for me! However, the challenge was about to get complicated. Enter: Mexico City. The altitude (2,240 meters/7,350 feet) made a very slight impact on my performance, and I felt a bit winded at first when navigating the metro and heading from place to place.
The street food on all corners was impossible to resist, but I managed to avoid unnecessary overindulging. Tlacoyos, tacos, quesadillas and pan dulce fueled my days; the scale went up a bit, but I did not stop running. My favorite running spots were Parque Mexico, Viveros de Coyoacan, Bosque de Chapultepec and Bosque de Aragon.
After a week and a half of training at altitude, race day came. I arrived early and watched my fellow runners pool in, fastening my runner’s bib with my kit’s safety pins. As the sun set, the music started. Halloween music and dancers on a stage got the crowd pumped and the mood was starting to shift to race time. Vendors came with their snacks and drinks. We watched the children complete their races and the main event, the 5K was about to begin.
3….2….1…. off I went, I pushed myself, alternating between running and speed walking when I could not run any more. This race happened at Bosque de Aragon, which has a renovated track, and the scenery was lovely. The runners received complementary light up headbands in their kits that shone through the trees as people picked up their pace. I put on a sci-fi themed 5K audio workout from the Venture part of the ZRX app for this one. Km by km, I pressed on. The fourth km I got a second wind and started to pick up speed a bit.
I saw the finish line coming up, at that point I was starting to feel a bit tired. I decided to speedwalk until the last 250m, giving it my all until I reached the finish line. I may not have run from start to finish, but I did it! I was overcome with emotion, and felt so proud of myself for finishing in 51 mins before even completing Couch to 5k. I admit it is not an impressive time, but I got my medal and that meant everything to me.
Now, to finish that Couch to 5K program. Two weeks left.
Or maybe not.
I went to Puebla for Dia de Muertos, and while walking near the zocalo to enjoy the festive decorations, I twisted my ankle on a cobblestone road. I was out of commission for 2 weeks, and then I got a disappointing email. Marvel Move was to be discontinued at the end of this month’s subscription cycle. I had to finish, it hurt so much to think I couldn’t do it in time. I limped through the audio tracks just to say I finished the program, I didn’t care if I wasn’t doing it properly, I just wanted to finish what I started. My last workout was complete the day Marvel Move ended.
I did it. Maybe not perfectly, but I did it! I was also down 15 lbs, and I felt better than ever. Some symptoms of my chronic illnesses even improved. I told myself I would start the Zombies, Run version of Couch to 5k from scratch, and see it through without having to rush and limp through the process. I will tackle and document my 2nd take on Couch to 5k, starting now and ending with another 5K race in Mexico City. Until then!
-Ophelia
Terra Artemisia 
Leave a comment