It keeps you runnin’
As I mentioned last week, I’ve started running quite a bit. I started out on the treadmill, mostly because I needed the ground to be moving under me to keep me going. When the weather cooled off a few weeks ago, though, I decided I was tired of choking on the fumes of the heavily perfumed sorority girls in the gym and ventured outside. I don’t think I’ll ever willingly run on a treadmill again.
For the first 31 years of life, I completely did not understand people who ran of their own volition. I mean, running because you’re being chased by a tiger or a knife-wielding maniac makes sense. “Run for fun” just didn’t compute.
But something’s changed in the past couple of weeks. Although I still wouldn’t call running fun, I do enjoy it. I can now see why people choose to do it willingly. It’s something that you can do at your own pace (literally). There’s no expectations other than the ones you create for yourself. There is a clock, but you can ignore it. Winning isn’t about beating someone else, it’s about setting a goal and achieving it. You don’t have to be tall, strong or even fast to compete. You just have to be willing to get out there and do it.
This past weekend, I completed my fourth 5K race in the past five weeks. When I did my first 5K a little over a month ago, I was incredibly nervous and worried that I wasn’t going to be able to finish. It was a valid concern, seeing as how at that point I had only run five kilometers once and nearly died in the process.
Now, just a month later, I don’t worry at all about doing five kilometers. In fact, the morning run I take every day before going to work is three miles – just a little under five kilometers:
Since running a 5K has become a daily occurrence, I decided it was time to move up to the next level and start training for 10Ks. Last weekend, I decided to go for broke and try to make it ten kilometers in single run, twice as far as I had gone before. I planned out my route the night before, strategically placed a couple of water bottles along my path to help keep hydrated and hoped for the best.
It turns out that I totally suck at estimating what a 10K course would be. I ended up running 12 kilometers (7.47 miles):
I was pretty sore afterwards, but I finished about 15 minutes faster than I thought I was going to. I nearly gave up somewhere in that fifth or sixth mile, but thanks to a second wind I was able to make it the entire way. Go me!
So, once I did that, I had to up the ante again this weekend, right? Right! So I did.
Yesterday morning, I had my first ten-mile run. 10.29 miles (16.5 kilometers) to be exact:
It was totally easier than the previous weekend’s run. I had been feeling pretty blah all weekend with allergies and general cold symptoms and nearly didn’t run yesterday, but I felt fantastic after I finished. I think I could have gone at least a couple of more miles.
Let me be clear about one thing though: I’m certainly not going to win any races. My focus is on completing a set distance, not doing so in a decent or respectable time. I’m beyond slow – usually somewhere around 5-5.3 mph. That’s glacial, but it gets the job done.
So where is all this headed? I honestly don’t know. It’s just something I really enjoy doing right now. I’d like to run in a half-marathon at some point. Initially my target was next year’s San Antonio half-marathon in November but now I know I’ll be ready long before then. Now I’ve got my sights set on running our local half-marathon here in CS in March. If my training really takes off, I guess there’s an outside chance I could be ready for the Austin half in February, but I’m not going to push for that. If it happens, it happens.
I don’t know if I’ll ever participate in a full marathon. 26.2 miles is a crazy distance and I’m only getting older. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able go that far. It’s not a realistic goal at this point.
But then again, a month ago I never would have thought that I could make it ten miles, so you never know.
I still fall into the category of running only if chased, but do enjoy working out (in all my PE classes I never would’ve thought I’d ever say that). I find I have to get the treadmill faster and faster to get a good workout, so may end up jogging one day…
Glad to hear of the quick progress you’re making, and that you are enjoying it, thats the most important part.
Wow, I am impressed! Making me feel a tad guilty–right here before the holidays! You go!!
I used to run in jr high and high school when I was upset, mad, angry, etc and even then I wasn’t very fast and I didn’t run for great lengths or anything…now I only run if chased. You people who can run great distances impress me.
Up to 10 mi in a month is impressive; you might have a knack. If I may advise, keep an eye on the mileage increases (<10% increase per week now that you have a routine) and respect your rest days and recovery weeks. Fear of injuries is the price we pay for our adult-onset athleticism?
I'm enjoying following your progress; cheers.
That is so amazing! Good for you! I can’t even convince my lazy butt to get off the couch to take the trash out.
That is AWESOME. I really wish I could like running just even a little. But sadly so far, not so much!
I’m glad you’re enjoying it! And I’m also glad that you aren’t expecting my lazy ass to enjoy it with you!
Very motivational Nicholas!! I trained for the half-marathon at one time and running is great! I know that it worked for me! Then I had foot surgery and never went back. Keep it up and keep writing about it! Maybe you’ll motivate me some more!
As a new runner myself, I’m WAY impressed. I still top out at about 1.5 miles which seems ridiculous after hearing about you. Also, don’t you have trouble with shin splints? they’re killing me and preventing me from progressing with my running. Tips and/or suggestions are welcome!
Wow, I think this is the most comments I’ve had in a while. Who knew a little bit of running would get you people all worked up?
Shin splints were a big problem for me in the past, but I’ve been able to avoid them so far (knock on wood) this time around. The biggest things I’ve done differently this fall:
1) Stretching, serious stretching. It’s mildly embarrassing to be the old guy stretching like a third-grader on the locker room floor, but it’s helped a lot, especially with the early stages of my runs. I don’t tighten up after a mile or two.
2) Mixing in cycling. I had a foot injury a few weeks ago that forced me onto a stationary bike for a couple of days and I’ve tried to hit the bike at least 1-2 times a week since. It allows me to still work out and strengthen my legs while giving my feet and lower legs a break.
3) Bigger shoes. My foot injury was caused by improperly sized shoes. They were properly sized for every day wear, but not running. I wear a full size larger shoe when running to accommodate the swelling of my feet when I run. When my feet were hurting, I automatically started adjusting my stride to compensate and my shins started hurting because of the stress I was putting on them. Bad mojo.
4) Most of importantly, I adjusted my stride. In the past, I tried to jog like I was running a sprint – putting all of my weight on the front of the foot and pushing off with my toes. Now I strike the ground on the middle of my foot and roll through the step until I push off using the ball of my foot. (Another reason I wear a larger shoe when running – it’s damn near impossible to push off of your toes if you’ve got some extra room up front.) It’s made a huge difference.