I don’t love to run. But there was one day several years ago that I found myself running with another woman at just about the same pace. Neither of us wanted to break the rhythm, so we continued that way for about a mile. I think I actually felt a runner’s high for that mile–no pain, no panting, just peace. It was cool.
Other than that, running pretty much sucks. It’s hard for me. But still I do it. Or at least I aspire to do it, working hard to build up my distance, dreading the idea of it, but loving the fact that I’ve done it afterwards. Eventually I get bored with whole ritual and abandon it for a few months till the urge strikes again. I haven’t really had that urge for a couple years, though: 2007 included two surgery debacles that landed me in the hospital, plus a broken ankle and a miscarriage… 2008 was a vast improvement with a full-term pregnancy and beautiful new baby. Needless to say, running has gone by the wayside for a while now.
So if it’s hard and it sucks and I’m this out of shape, why do I want to do it so badly? I do enjoy getting outside regularly. I do think it’s the most efficient excercise. But the truth is that running runs in my family. My brother ran competitively all through high school–he runs marathons now (finishing in less than 3 hours). At some point during his high school career he got sick of Dad asking him “did you run today?” that he shot back, “no, did you?”–so Dad did. At age 50 he donned some goofy-looking cutoff sweats, black socks and his work boots and took off down the road. He probably ran a mile that day. Today, at age 75, he still runs (in running shoes and better shorts). We’ve run 5K races together over the years, he’s finished before me in every race but one–San Diego, 2001, I was in great shape–we fishished together that day.
So once again, I’m trying to become that runner I aspire to be. This time, though, I’m taking it slowly. I started by mostly walking for 30-40 minutes–running for a minute here and there. Yesterday, I ran for 12 minutes, then did a run/walk combo for the next 30 or so, with a total of 18 minutes of running (even better than my rule for the week). Over the next couple months, I want to work my way up to 30 minutes of running. I figure with a baby at home, a full time job and a blog to write (!), that’s the best use of my exercise time. Throw in those daily pushups and a regular ab workout and I should be looking–and feeling–pretty good by 2010.
I might even challenge my dad to a race.
August 18th, 2009 at 7:07 am
Awesome! I’m jealous — I’ve never been much of a runner. When I do, it’s rather slow and labored.