Hey, it’s Laura here.
I realize these entries are starting when I’m about halfway through my first running program, so I want to backtrack for just a minute so you know where I’m coming from. If you’re a newbie runner too, or look back fondly at your beginner days, odds are you know what it’s like.
As I mentioned in my Introduction I was never an active person, so starting out as a runner has been a major learning process for me. It’s been a revelatory experience to try something, realize I could do it, push myself further, and realize I could do that too. I’ve noticed changes in stamina and breathing—no more struggling for breath just a few strides in. I was literally starting from zero here, where at the very beginning just running for one minute was an accomplishment.
I started out on the treadmill, taking running and walking intervals. I’d been doing that for about two weeks when I was paired with Coach D, a two-time Ironman finisher, marathoner, and basically amazing inspiration. She constructed the training plan I’m currently using, and we meet once a week or so to discuss progress and stay psyched about the whole thing. She was the one who pushed me to run outside, reminding me that races never happen on a treadmill. Thinking it would be a piece of cake (I had managed to run six minutes straight on the treadmill after all, so clearly I was a champ), I went for a run outside and was stunned by how quickly my calves wore out. I slumped home and realized I had a bigger challenge ahead of me than I thought.
That was almost two months ago. I’m now at the point where my long runs, which take place twice a week, are six miles long—and starting this Sunday, they’ll be seven. Now that my long runs really are getting to be somewhat substantial for an everyday run, I’m learning something else: how vital stretching is! I didn’t see too much of a point to an after-run stretch when I’d only finished two miles, but after six I could see why it’s a good idea. I recently learned about calf muscles I didn’t even know existed: the gastrocnemius (really) and soleus. Coach D referred to these muscles and showed me a stretch for each, and as soon as I tried them yesterday all I could think was, Yeow!! They were exactly the muscles that have been tiring out on me in the middle of runs, and therefore exactly when I need to strengthen. It was fascinating to me to learn about these muscles and how clearly important they each are—and how everything works together to help keep your stride in perfect form.
Which all plays into tonight’s run: a basic three-mile. As I was considering my schedule for today and the errands I have to do in addition to my run, the thought occurred to me that I could walk home from work (which is exactly three miles away) and get my errands done on the way—therefore not doing a dedicated run. That was the lazy, here’s-a-way-to-avoid-exercise way of thinking that I used to ascribe to, and it still pops in my head every now and again, especially when I might be a bit tired. The great part though is that the thought that occurred right after that one was, No, I want to get my run in today and see how my legs are doing, how many blocks I can go. I’m slowly defeating the couch potato I was and actually wanting to get outside and run. My long run tomorrow is six miles again, which even though I’ve done it once before is still pretty intimidating. It’s looming ahead of me and needs to be tackled, and I need to be ready for it by running today. The most exciting part is I want to be ready, and want to run today.
Keep on Running,
Laura
Recent Comments