I am trying to be a runner. I do not yet claim the title of a runner. Really there is no method to my running. Very little technique. I don't have tips or tricks. I just run. Seems simple enough, right?
During my last year of high school I somehow ended up in gym class. I think the alternative was a spare block, which seemed wrong. I already skipped class so much as it was, having a block dedicated to skipping seemed fairly redundant. My other options were calculus or chemistry, both of which would have guaranteed me a big fat F. So I went with gym. Not to mention my boyfriend happened to be in the class, which made things all the more appealing.
The first run of the year was probably in the 3-5 km range. Technically no big deal for the other people who had been doing gym all throughout high school. Not for me, I came in dead last. Like not even close to the runner before me last. Like it was bad. By the time I made it back to the class they were already halfway through their wrestling portion of the class. Um, ouch.
As the year progressed, I started moving up in the standings. Of course, I went from something like 25th to 23rd, and I think by the end of the year I was averaging in the 20th range. Nothing to write home about, but heck, at least I wasn't last! By the end of the school year, we had increased the distance of our runs to about the 10km range. I was in the best shape of my life. My prom pictures are direct evidence of this fact.
So perhaps I'm drawn to running as I look wistfully at pictures of my Grade 12 self. I am doing fairly good on my weight loss project. Technically I've lost about 15 lbs since May. Which actually sounds like a lot. I guess because it is a lot, but I'm primarily losing weight in areas like my arms and legs, and it seems like its slow going around the mid-section. Not like I'm complaining, but I'm most looking forward to some inches lost around the waist.
So the running is good. I've been at it for almost 2 months. In the process, I have learned that I am no longer 18 anymore (a little shocking). My right knee was giving me trouble initially, so then I was told to buy some new shoes, which solved the knee problem and now I'm having a bit of pain in the ball of my right foot (which can be caused by a number of factors, likely my new shoes, which are definitely not top of the line). I'm mixing it up with icing and good stretching, which is good enough for now. But I'm thinking I'll have to invest in even better shoes if I want to keep this up.
I'm currently in the 5/6km range. For now its a nice distance, pushes me, and doesn't take too long. Tomorrow I plan to do a run fun for one of the local community leagues. They will donate $15 for each runner to the community league. It will be my first "race." There are no prizes and I will be keeping my usual pace. All that I ask of the running gods is that I don't come in dead last. I imagine its repressed trauma from high school.
In my running process, I have also been reminded of just how much I enjoy getting out and breathing fresh air (well, as fresh as Edmonton can offer). I have no idea what will happen once winter comes, I do have a stack of gym memberships and coupons, but a treadmill just cannot compare to being outdoors.
So for now, I'm a near runner. Or perhaps a psuedo runner. And I'm lovin' it!
During my last year of high school I somehow ended up in gym class. I think the alternative was a spare block, which seemed wrong. I already skipped class so much as it was, having a block dedicated to skipping seemed fairly redundant. My other options were calculus or chemistry, both of which would have guaranteed me a big fat F. So I went with gym. Not to mention my boyfriend happened to be in the class, which made things all the more appealing.
The first run of the year was probably in the 3-5 km range. Technically no big deal for the other people who had been doing gym all throughout high school. Not for me, I came in dead last. Like not even close to the runner before me last. Like it was bad. By the time I made it back to the class they were already halfway through their wrestling portion of the class. Um, ouch.
As the year progressed, I started moving up in the standings. Of course, I went from something like 25th to 23rd, and I think by the end of the year I was averaging in the 20th range. Nothing to write home about, but heck, at least I wasn't last! By the end of the school year, we had increased the distance of our runs to about the 10km range. I was in the best shape of my life. My prom pictures are direct evidence of this fact.
So perhaps I'm drawn to running as I look wistfully at pictures of my Grade 12 self. I am doing fairly good on my weight loss project. Technically I've lost about 15 lbs since May. Which actually sounds like a lot. I guess because it is a lot, but I'm primarily losing weight in areas like my arms and legs, and it seems like its slow going around the mid-section. Not like I'm complaining, but I'm most looking forward to some inches lost around the waist.
So the running is good. I've been at it for almost 2 months. In the process, I have learned that I am no longer 18 anymore (a little shocking). My right knee was giving me trouble initially, so then I was told to buy some new shoes, which solved the knee problem and now I'm having a bit of pain in the ball of my right foot (which can be caused by a number of factors, likely my new shoes, which are definitely not top of the line). I'm mixing it up with icing and good stretching, which is good enough for now. But I'm thinking I'll have to invest in even better shoes if I want to keep this up.
I'm currently in the 5/6km range. For now its a nice distance, pushes me, and doesn't take too long. Tomorrow I plan to do a run fun for one of the local community leagues. They will donate $15 for each runner to the community league. It will be my first "race." There are no prizes and I will be keeping my usual pace. All that I ask of the running gods is that I don't come in dead last. I imagine its repressed trauma from high school.
In my running process, I have also been reminded of just how much I enjoy getting out and breathing fresh air (well, as fresh as Edmonton can offer). I have no idea what will happen once winter comes, I do have a stack of gym memberships and coupons, but a treadmill just cannot compare to being outdoors.
So for now, I'm a near runner. Or perhaps a psuedo runner. And I'm lovin' it!
Good for you! When do you get time to run with two kids? I'm jealous of the time aspect but I must say I do not enjoy running. I like being in shape, and right now I've been walking killer hills to keep me spry. But uh, running? No thanks! The burning in my lungs, the gasping for breath... I may rather be fat. haha. I admire you to the utmost!
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