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Y-Not?"This is the dawning of the rest of our lives" Holiday, Green Day This is a big thing for me since I haven't been able to make any commitments since I began school. Life has been nuts. Don't believe me? Check out the date of my last blog entry. But back to the commitment. There is another commitment that I've been wanting to make to a friend, one that involves one helluva walk. When the time comes, I'll be highlighting that, as well. Stayed tuned.
Going to the dogs"Those who run seem to have all the fun" Madonna, Hung Up A Running Commentary"They say I'm crazy but I have a good time" Joe Walsh, Lifes Been Good First and foremost, I am not a runner. Back in my Army days, running was close to the top of my “Least Favorite Things To Do” list, nestled right behind starting IV’s on fellow soldiers during Combat Medic Training. But, as is the way of the Army, I ran. Despite blisters from combat boots, shins splints from trying to do too much, too soon and a pinched sciatic nerve (the highlight of my Basic Training, I assure you), I ran. And I loathed it. It took nearly seven years for me to run again after I left the military. When I decided to start exercising I never once considered running. Why should I? I would have rather walked barefoot in the snow for a mile rather than run one. Instead I took Step Aerobics and Box n Bag classes to get my cardio workouts. I later supplemented those classes by power walking on the treadmill. As I cruised along at 4.0 mph, it began: a nagging itch, a feeling of wanting to bust out of the cocoon I was happily ensconced in. A little voice in the back of my head began whispering, “Go faster”. Despite repeated attempts, the nagging voice would not be ignored. I started out slowly. I ran fewer than ten minutes before it became too much. Out of breath and with a stitch in my side that sliced like a knife, I stopped. It’s not as if I’m going to start doing this all the time, I told myself. Incredibly I kept at it, all the while denying to myself that I was beginning to enjoy my runs. I ran through the stitches and they eventually disappeared altogether. I learned to control my breathing by finding comfortable rhythms in the songs that I listened to on my MP3 player. The first time that I ran a full two miles on the treadmill I gushed about it to anyone who would listen. Soon I was able to run those same two miles but without the fanfare. My time running allowed me to zone out and reflect on my life. I bought a heart rate monitor so could better understand how hard I was working and how many calories I was burning. It felt awkward at first with this strap wrapped around my chest, but soon it became a part of me and I’d forget that it was there. I knew that the winds of change were blowing the moment I programmed the treadmill for a 5k just to see if I could do it. I was thrilled when I finished it in about 35 minutes. I started to consider running in an actual 5k race—not to “race” per se, but to be a part of the experience. The last time I participated in a 5k event I was in the Army, stationed at Camp Humphreys, Korea. Eons ago. Could I do it again? I signed up for a race in St. Louis, and despite the terrible weather conditions that made me question what I was thinking, I ran with the masses. I was astonished when I finished in 26 minutes, 4 seconds. My best time on a treadmill had never been better than 30 minutes. I’m now looking forward to participating in more events. Now that my girls are in school I have had the opportunity to get outside and run in the fresh air. The only time I ever enjoyed running while in the Army was while stationed at Fort Drum, NY, where my unit would occasionally go on a “river run”. This beaten trail ran us in a forest-like setting along Black River, and it was gorgeous. I want to run alongside the Mississippi and explore the trails in the River Bend. And when the weather warms I’ll be eager to get out and run along side the gorgeous spring displays from Mother Nature. As I continue to wear down the belt on the treadmill—and, more recently the pavement—my mental approach to running has changed. I no longer think in terms of minutes but miles. A quarter mile here, a half-mile there. Can I go just one more? I once jumped on the treadmill without a specific goal in mind, deciding that I would run until I got tired. An hour later I figured that I had better stop so I could get ready for work, and I stepped off of the treadmill with 6 miles under my belt. I may not be a runner, but I think I’m becoming one. *My article ran as a column in my local paper on 2/26/06. In Stitches"Life is short, you're capable." Gwen Stefani, What You Waiting For?
It happened at 1.25 miles this morning. The Stitch. It hit me out of nowhere and nearly caused me to end my run early. I had a few choices: I could stop running, slow down, or try to work through it. I didn't want to stop unless I absolutely had to, and the way I figured it, I didn't have to. So I did what I could to get rid of the stitch: deep, slow and even belly breaths, pressing into my side, and contracting my abs to try to work it out. The pain eased but it didn't fully abate. I'm glad that I was only aiming for a 2-mile run. Check out what WebMD has to say on the subject. Running There's a lot to be said for the basic functions of running and walking. I suppose that in days of old it saved more than one fanny from Saber Toothed Tigers and whatnot (the running part, mostly).
Running and walking are two of the most amazing things you can do for your body, a third (but first on my list!) being lifting. But you need to do it with purpose. And that goes for anything you do.
Running doesn't have to be an art form. Get a good pair of shoes on and run. You don't have to go fast, just, well, go. The fast part will come, later, if you want it to. I warn you: it can be addicting. Once you run that extra 5 minutes or that extra mile, you may get hooked because you did it. And did it well.
The basics for running: Good shoes. Good trail/path/treadmill/track/surface. Wear something comfortable. But please, for the love of all that is good and holy, No 80's Spandex. That is just wrong, people.
Remember to breathe. Yes, you just might forget how. Pace yourself. Breathe in and out too rapidly and you are on the fast track to hyperventilation. Try to control your breaths, "in, 2, 3, 4 out 2, 3, 4" or something of the sort. Whatever you do, just breathe.
If you can't run, then walk. Walking is just as effective as running when burning calories. The main difference is the amount of time it takes to burn the same amount of calories. The basics for walking are the same. Good surface, comfy clothes, breathing. You can spice up your walk by pumping your arms, holding weights (but you have to hold them, not dangle them) or wearing ankle weights. Maintain a good posture, suck in your belly and go.
You may want the time you spend running or walking to be spent in quiet reflection. I choose to listen to some really awesome tunes to keep me motivated. It's all about personal preference.
And last but not least: Water. Have it on hand, or close by. It's very important to keep hydrated when your working out. There's no sense in keeling over and dehydrating yourself, is there?
Now get out there and get moving! |
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