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Tuesday, June 29, 2010

See SG Run

So far I have done my “journey-to-jog-one-mile training” a grand total four times. That means I have done 80 minutes of my training. And jogged a total of 16 minutes of those minutes (a minute at a time). Yes. I have been running and NOTHING has been chasing me. I am growing as an athlete!

Being able to run a mile is so important to me. Why? I think there are a lot of real life situations where a person’s well-being really could depend on their being able to RUN AWAY. Could happen.

Also, running is so much more FUN than walking. It just is. Well, not for ME of course. For me it stinks. But if I were someone who could run longer than 60 seconds, it would be fun.

It’s also good for you. It burns so many calories. And studies by Stanford University show that running can improve bone and joint function. Running also has been shown to decrease blood pressure (*stupid stinking high blood pressure*), increase cardiovascular functioning, increase HDL (good cholesterol), improve aerobic endurance, increase muscle strength (especially lower body and core), and promote better sleep. All that sounds good to me.

But more than all that, I just want to DO it. I just want to be able to flippin’ DO it. Have you ever just really really wanted to be able to DO something?? Just to know that you could? Just to be able to say that you DID? Even if the only person you ever say it to is yourself?

I have been doing a lot of reading about running. So far, the most exciting thing I’ve read is this:

“TO BE A RUNNER DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU HAVE TO RUN FROM THE FIRST STEP OUT THE DOOR AND EVERY SUBSEQUENT STEP THEREAFTER.”

Wow. So, technically…I am a runner. I am a runner. As long as I keep up with my training and keep going and don’t GIVE up….I am a runner. Even if the day of my next 5K I can’t run a whole mile without stopping, if I can run a minute at a time, then I am still a runner.

In fact, walk/run programs are a really good option because they reduce your risk of injury and slowly help your body to adapt to running. Muscles, joints, connective tissue, and the diaphragm need to adapt to the more rigourous movement of running. THIS TAKES TIME.

Knowing that I am ALREADY a runner really makes this time go by a lot quicker.

10 comments:

Amanda said...

That's really great! I started "running" in about 2003. I ALWAYS walked and ran. Never did I run the whole thing until maybe last year! You have to just try to improve. That's always what my goal was. If I ran a 5k, then I wanted to run the next 5k faster. Of course, I was running and walking.

Even now, I try to improve my old times. I try to run the whole thing now but if I have to walk, I do.

One year, I ran and walked an 8k. The next year, I just tried to RUN the whole thing. I only beat my run/walk time by like 5 seconds! Really, that's it! So run/walk if you have to.

Anonymous said...

Isn't that awesome!? You are a runner!
I hope to be able to say that one day.

I envy those people who are able to run, like nothing, they do it so effortlessly.

I've had dreams where I'm running really fast and don't even break a sweat or have to catch my breath. lol It's awesome.

erica said...

Isn't it awesome to feel like you are actually a runner. When I did my first 5k I hadn't ran a mile straight at all. I did all 3.1 miles without stopping. It was the encouragement of others that pushed me. I know that I am capable of running a 5k without stopping yet I never push myself to run a 5k anymore.

xo you are fabulous!

Laura said...

I have a LOT of posts about what it took to make me feel like a runner. Believe it or not, after 55 marathons, I still sometimes feel like I'm not a "real runner". I think the important thing is going out there and throwing yourself into it - only you can define yourself.

Skye-Lynn said...

I love this post! It made me laugh, smile and THINK! ( : Keep up the great job!

Anonymous said...

Hi, thanks for visiting my blog. I think it is so cool that you are a runner!!! I hope to try running someday. Congrats on the weight loss. You're doing Great!

Raegun said...

Hi there! I just found your blog through another reader and I'm loving it! I have similar goals to you and have just started my own journey to becoming a runner. I'm doing one-minute spurts of running interspersed with a lot of walking right now and after 3 weeks it's starting to get a little easier.
I'm really looking forward to following your blog. Pop by for a visit any time! ;)
Rae
xo

Lindsay said...

You rock!!!! And yes my friend you are a RUNNER!!!

Zeller said...

You are doing a great job. I wish I had the same results. Check out my blog to see my weight loss.

Waning Woman said...

you've convinced me to step up my cardio game :D