I work with a bunch of fitness freaks. No seriously. We are talking people that come into the office after a work out and can’t walk for days. We are talking about people who go mountain biking and come back covered with bruises and slashes and great bloody scabs.
We are talking about people who run 100KM DEATH races. Yes, you read that right, it has the word DEATH in it, and they did if for funsies. These are people who think that Iron man’s are a stimulating day (It has the word Iron in it. People are NOT made of iron. I am sure of this.)
I am the only sane person around here.
I do yoga. Sometimes I take the stairs. Some times I even take the stairs to go up floors.
And really, that’s about it.
And occasionally, these co-workers of mine, they comment that they hurt after a run, or a work out or a something. I universally tell them the same thing. . .
“Don’t whine to me, I told you that exercise was going to kill you”.
So, I’m not sure what it means, when I got this urge to start running again. Oh, I used to run in university. I’m not particularly good at it, and I never will be (it’s the short, stubby legs), but I did it, and I enjoyed it.
I checked out the Running Room, and their course doesn’t start until Jan (I’ve missed 3 weeks of the other course already, so that won’t work). You prepare for the St. Patrick’s Day Race.
Which means I’m asking you. I don’t want to be the only person who can’t manage to run 20 minutes at a stretch at the end of the clinic. Maybe I should start now. . .
Any suggestions on getting started?
It's like alcohol…you have to build up your tolerance! Start slow – run a bit, and then walk. Run a little more, and then walk.
I can't run far, because I get exercise induced asthma from running. But, the more I do it, the farther I can go. Good luck!
Dear Mrs. Spit,
You are reading right this very moment the notes of a very short legged gal who only now after 12 weeks can run for 1/2 hour.
I used free podcasts from Robert Ullrey. The first week is walking for 10 minutes and running for 1 minute. You build up slowly. I had never run before and now I am excited about it. He uses some techno music with isn't always my cup of tea, but it works! I find myself humming it as I do the dishes.
I will say that shoes with good support are important. So his podcasts are called couch to 5k. I would have never in a million years imagined that I would enjoy it so much, but I do! ANd I have had ZERO pain.
Good Luck Mrs. Spit. I enjoy your voice.
I will never be a fast runner, and I almost never just "run", I run/walk and have discovered over time that for my body it likes run for 5 minutes walk for 1 minute…..I did my last half marathon using that combination and layed down my best time. I have tried 10's and 1's (what the Running Room prefers) and 9's and 1's but what I have discovered is that running is a personal sport and what works for one most certainly not work for another……my best advice is to start slow and enjoy each moment.
Perhaps next year we can meet up at some races 🙂
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start" ~ John J. Bingham
Eh. I do not run. It makes me tired.
Why don't you ask chicklet over at Bloorb She's a big time runner and might have some really good suggestions.
In another lifetime I was a fitness freak. I couldn't do enough. But now those people just annoy me…
A run/walk combination would probably be the best way to start.
Good Luck!
I don't have any good advice — I ran in high school and college, and every time since then that I've tried to get back into it, I end up in horrible knee pain. I finally went to the doctor and got diagnosed with "runner's knee" (whatever the medical term is). Hopefully you'll have better luck.
But your post reminded me of one of my favorite stories that DH brought home from work, which basically proves your point:
http://sunnyinseattle-cadh.blogspot.com/2008/06/isnt-it-ironic.html
I admire runners, having been married to one for almost 30 years, he ran a 25K last Sunday and often runs for 5 or 6 hours at a time and gets up every workday at 3:25am so that he can run before work. He is considered an elite runner and is actually faster for his age group than he was as a young man(must be that dedication!)
I hear very good things about the Couch to 5K running program that is available on the internet, many people use it when starting to run.
On another note, thank you for yesterday's topic. As the mom of a young disabled vet, I thank you for remembering all of our veterans yesterday. I could not find the words yesterday to write, but your post was very much in my thoughts.
Running kept me sane earlier this year. I'm not a fast runner or a very good runner, but I'm dogged. I started small and built up. I'll try and find the training programme I used and send it to you. I used it to complete a 12km fun run. It was a 12 week programme but I did it in 10. And I'm with Paula. Good shoes are VITAL.
Good luck! I will be cheering you on xxxx
Oh this post has excited me! (Can you gather I am one of those crazy people that yes, thinks doing a 100Km death race DOES sound like a FUN idea?) 🙂
I have done up a number of intro to run programs for friends, and taught the marathon clinic through the RR. Drop me an e-mail if you are interested, and I can get you started and on your way to your 20 minute goal 🙂
I am not a runner unless there is a bear or a Republican or something chasing me!
I know nothing about running, being more the couch potato type myself (walking & yoga are about as active as I will get). But I bow to your ambitions & wish you much luck!!
And — I have an award for you on my blog! : )
I used to run – all the time – and I really, really miss it.
But, the best way for me to start is what has been said before – walk, then jog, then walk, and if you cannot, then walk, then walk faster, then walk some more. It does not take long to build up.
The most I ever ran was about 8 miles and it was FABULOUS!!! Freedom, wind in my hair, watching my legs work, it was so cool.
best of luck 🙂 i'm so not a runner, but my hubbie is. we recently just read Born To Run and it's all about those crazy insane 100k death race people and how they are able to do it. (personally i think it takes a special kind of gene i'm missing…) since then my husband has become obsessed with the idea of 'barefoot' running, which just culminated in his purchasing the 5 Fingers barefoot shoes. he says it is awesome and so much fun. i don't know, i think all runners a little crazy 😉 but as long as it makes you happy and healthy, it can't be a bad thing!
I am surrounded by fitness freaks as well. After work, when I would want to go for a drink, everyone else would go for a bike ride. They sign up for races with names like "Hotter Than Hell" and "The Dehydrator."
I'm all for fitness, but I don't want "Death by Exercise" on my headstone.
But good luck with your running. I wish I could do it!
For me:
Running = Shin Splints
Shin Splints = Pain
Ergo:
Running = Pain
Have fun my love!