Kudos to you runners!!

spyrosmom

spyrosmom

Cathlete
So on tap for today was a steady state step workout, but I just wasn't feeling it. I've always wanted to run, but never really have, so I decided I'd give it a go. I have bad knees and am not supposed to be doing ANY of this stuff, but I do it anyway. If it doesn't hurt, then I do it. Although things tend to hurt later. I have big dose of stubborn with a dash of stupid thrown in.

Anyhow, I picked a route, fairly easy, 3 miles (3 miles isn't THAT far, right?) with 2 steep hills in the middle, one up, one down. I figured I'd jog to the hill, walk down the hill, jog to the next one, walk up, and jog on home. Holy smokes!!! I made it ok to the 1st hill, breathing hard, but ok. Walked down, and then jogged on over to the 2nd one. At this point, I was thinking "crap, I'm only halfway there" I walked up the 2nd hill. Again, there's a large dose of stubborn/stupid here. Sucked it up and jogged on home, but I think I may have left a lung on the sidewalk somewhere.

My goodness, that was tough. Worse than anything Cathe has thrown at me. I don't know how you ladies do it!!! I'm going to conquer my 3 little miles though!!! (just as soon as I find my lung)

Nan
 
Congratulations! Don't minimize your efforts though - you should be very proud of yourself! You mentioned you have bad knees - for me I notice a big difference in how I feel joint/energy wise using good insoles & shoes that fit my feet. The reason I mention insoles is from what I have been told the insoles that come in your shoes when you purchase them only last for a few weeks then you are relying on the shoe structure for support. Good luck!



You must be the change you wish to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi
 
Oh Nan, I know how you feel! I haven't run since high school. I'm 49 now. I got talked into entering the Bay to Breakers race in May. It's a 12K (7 miles) that traverses San Francisco. There are literally thousands of entrants and many dress in costume. So it's a race that isn't taken too seriously, although there are some true competiters there. Even so, the thought of it has me quite intimidated.

Let me also say, that when in high school, I was the wheezy kid with asthma. That, more often than not, kept me from being any kind of athlete. Running was an asthma trigger. But since I've started working out about 5 years ago, I really haven't had any kind of asthma problems. Yea!!!

So last week, I figured I better get out there. I picked a mostly level trail (it's a fire road, not too bumpy) that's goes to a lake. It's a mile and a third one-way. The direction to the lake is a very slight decline - very slight! So that helped. I finally had to stop running and walk after a while - only to round the corner and see the lake. I had almost made it! Coming back I alternated running and walking intervals. I probably had 5 walking intervals.

I was so sore the rest of the day and the day after!

But I went out again (two days after the first try). I made it all the way, running, to the lake. Coming back I only took 3 walking intervals. The nice thing is that I wasn't nearly as sore afterwards.

It's a start. But that total is only 2 and 2/3 miles! I've got a long way to go, but I'm encouraged. Seeing the posts about people running 11 miles - I'm just in awe!!!

So kudos to you Nan! I'm cheering you on girl!

Diane
 
Nan, I am so impressed you were able to do this on a first try!!!!
Please give yourself a HUGE pat on the back. You'll be running marathons before you know it. Nothing beats running for a cardio workout IMHO. There's a group of us running nuts in the Check Ins forum. We call ourselves the Cheetahs. Check in anytime for inspiration. Keep up the good work!

ShellyC
 
Way to go NAN!!! The first few time you start running you can really be sucking wind, but trust me, it does get easier and soon you will be keeping your lung!! As Shelly said there are a group of us stubborn runners (of all ages and abilities), checking in as cheetahs...Come on over...:D
 
Congratulations Nan!! The first time is the hardest and it gets a little easier each time. I'm 46 and ran my first 5K in February. I'm running both a 5K and 10K in April. I ran track in high school but I was terrible. I think I finished last in all my races but I'm having so much fun now.

Keep up the good work!!!
 
Nan - hmm, 3 miles on your first run with 2 BIG hills in there? Wow!!! And I thought I was a runner! 3 miles is a big distance if you are not a runner. I'm really impressed!!

Diane - I've done the Bay to Breakers twice. It's a total blast! It's like Mardi Gras and a foot race all rolled into one. There is ALWAYS something to look at. Nothing like running along with 100,000 of your best friends. Warning, though - the city turns a blind eye to the naked "runners" - and it's usually the fat old men who are well endowed who like to walk the course au natural. So be aware. The only BIG hill is Hayes Street, and once you're over that, it's pretty much down hill. Have FUN!!
 
Thanks for the encouragement Christine.

>Nothing like running along with 100,000 of your best friends.

That's exactly what my BF said about it! I'm looking to have fun with it. As I said, I was sore, I mean really SORE, for the next day and a half last week. I'm glad to get that part behind me (is there a pun in that statement?). I want to keep this up about 3x a week until the big day.

Nan, are you experiencing any soreness?

Diane
 
Kudos to YOU, Nan! You got a heck of alot further then I got when I first started running and I started on a TREADMILL! It's TONS easier then road running! Great job girl! It only gets better from here on in and you'll be addicted in no time!}(

BTW, I third the Cheetah Check In invite! We'd love to have you!:)
 
Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. I was thinking 3 miles wasn't that far, but I guess its farther than I thought. No soreness yet, but we'll see in the morning!!!

Nan
 
Seriously, three miles for a start is very good! Running/jogging/walking are so good for mental wellness. You get that feeling of being able to conquer the world like no other workout I've tried.
 
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