Monday, July 26, 2010
I ran for the first time today. I've never considered myself a runner. I've never even considered running. In fact for most of my life I've thought that running was about the most ridiculous form of enjoyment or exercise. I mean, who in their right mind would want to run and run and run?
Funny how we change. Maybe it's my age. I don't know. I do know that my dad started running in his 30's, and many of my friends began to be interested in their 30's. Of course, I'm only in my 20's (LOL) So it is with me, a handful of years ago I had shallow thoughts of thinking that, well, running just might be sort of fun. Hhmmmm. I put that thought off for awhile. Until just a few months ago. Some friends invited me to participate in the summer SEALs competition. Uh, did I say competition? yeah right. I'm still not sure if I am capable of that. Crunches, I can do, pull ups, well I might be able to do that, push-ups no problem, running, well I'm willing to try, swimming, hhmmm, that one will need a lot of work. Either way if I participate or not, I'll get conditioned and will for sure participate next year.
Good friend Melanie meets me at the track. It's 7:30am and over cast, YES! for a first day running, I'm glad it's not sunny. Even though I exercise 5 days a week, that doesn't make me a good runner. For the record, I exercise in a nice air conditioned room with a fan. Further more I've never been much of a team sports athlete (although I learned to overcome my fear of getting hit by balls a few years ago and played volleyball with the ladies at church. It was actually fun) and the joke in our home is that I probably couldn't even run to the mailbox.
Well, I'm here to say, I ran about 3/4 of a mile this morning. At first I would run and just walk one of the turns, later I walked both turns, but for the most part I ran, and I surprised myself. Who would have ever thought? I felt good and I'm ready to try again.
Update September 26, 2010
Ok, yes this post is extremely overdue. I thought I might give an update on my running. I've learned as all of my friend's have told me that if you run, get good shoes and comfortable clothes. I agree, it works. The picture on this page is of my wild running shoes. Buying those was a story in itself. Long story short, I LOVE my running shoes ... they were worth the cost.
I never thought I would look forward to running .... but I do. I can do a consistent mile without stopping and will continue to get past the beginner stage and push to go further.
Sometimes when I run I feel like I'm cruising, sometimes my legs can go further but my lungs can't and sometimes my lungs can go further but my legs can't.
I didn't participate in the summer SEALs but my goal is to participate next year. Melanie and Nicole finished with super great times. I came on board too late in the prep which would have set myself up for a less than stellar result. I figured if I'm going to do it I'm going to be prepared. I know what is required now and at least I've got most of it down. Now I just need to lower my running time and work on the swimming .... until next year GO SEALs!
I still can't believe I enjoy running.
