| Wednesday, June 27, 2012 |
| A Newbie At Running... |
Let's talk running...
I have a lot of mixed emotions about running in general. Trust me, I have no fear of physical activity, my fears are more on the injury side, like I mentioned last Wednesday. I am a firm believer in working out smarter, not harder. Not to say I don't reach that intensity level...I LOVE intense workouts, however, I do believe there is a gentle progression that you need to achieve in any new activity you start. I have no desire and never have to run a marathon. This seems to be the first question you get whenever you start running. I, personally, don't think everyone is made to run a marathon. Isn't it ok just to want to run 3 miles and just feel good about it? Does there have to be another mile added to feel accomplished in running? What I want to do, is to be able to go out for a run and enjoy it. I feel like running, if you do it right, can be an incredible cardiovascular workout and you get to be out in your surroundings! I'm hoping to feel this way in the fall.
This is a journey for me, so when I share, I'm sharing my personal experience with starting a new type of exercise...in this case, running. I am NOT a runner. I am a personal trainer trying to learn more. I think that needs to be stated from the beginning. I actually do not love running. I have been told that it takes practice and that once you get good at it then you will want more. I'm definitely not anywhere close to that mentality. Since I've done most other types of workouts, I figure keeping a journal of the beginning of running would be interesting for me personally and help me when I train others. Kind of like going to a surgeon that has actually had surgery before, not just done surgery on others...the bedside manner is just better and there is more compassion with how he/she treats you.
Anyway, so my start is on the treadmill. I'm choosing this because I want to practice my stride and running properly. I ran on Saturday outside, but I noticed right away that I started rolling my foot heel to toe even after practicing not doing this. This is wrong! I think we all have to find what works for us, but you can read about methods here and here. I immediate spoke to myself and corrected the issue. Running is definitely a mental exercise. Since I'm new to it, I think about my run while I'm running probably way more than seasoned runners do. Most people think you just go out and run. This will leave you overly sore and injured. Running is no joke, a serious leg exercise. I know, that's a given, but I noticed muscle soreness in a completely different way after my first 1 mile run. Not agony mind you, but actually feeling muscles that were used in a different way. This is important. I do not plan to run on consecutive days. I think variety is definitely the spice of life...also, it gives my running muscles a chance to build up again. So, this is my journey to running...
Monday, June 18th, I started with a HIIT workout and a 1 mile run on the treadmill. Details here.
Tuesday, June 19th, I did a HIIT workout with some strength exercises.
Wednesday, June 20th, I ran 2 miles on the treadmill and did some strength training along with yoga. This run felt good. It was hard, but good. My focus on this run was to see if I could get through the full 2 miles without walking. I did and that alone felt good. I felt a definite shift in my energy once I got through the wall. That did feel good. My legs were sore at the end of this one, but again, it was a good sore. I am really focusing on stretching with these runs. My hips, hamstrings and calves get special treatment after each run.
Thursday, June 21st, was a tabata day for me.
Friday, June 22nd, was a much needed rest day.
Saturday, June 23rd, was my 5k fun run at the convention. I won't lie, this was HARD. I know, it was kind of crazy starting to run on Monday and then doing 5k on Saturday, but I'm not a newbie to exercising, just to running. This was a test for me to see if I could get through it. This was my first time ever really running outside. Jay and I have done the couch to 5k app, but not a full on run. I was nervous because I am as clumsy as they come. I trip on everything and walk into walls in my own house. It's a gift. This started out slow for me. It was not a race, it was a fun run for a benefit the convention put on, so I felt no pressure to get to the finish line. I really just wanted to feel what it was like to run with a group of people. That was a huge thing for me. I totally see now why people love running races. This is a feeling like no other doing something with a group of people to support a cause. The weirdest part for me was actually feeling the different metabolic systems in my body take over during this run. I know, probably something most runners don't care about or know about, but actually putting my education into practice was amazing. Breaking through that energy wall felt amazing! The hardest part about this run was there were quite a few up hills, but only one down hill and that was at the end...luckily, I had Tony's iPod with me and the last 3 songs to get me through were Baby Got Back, The Old 97s singing Time Bomb and the last song was I Of The Tiger, seriously. That one came on right before I turned the curve for the downhill to the finish line. I was laughing out loud at that one. On a foot note to the music, I never realized how important music is when you run. I always read peoples play lists, but never knew the importance of them. Now I get it. Not only does it have to be entertaining, but it has to be a certain beat to keep you going.
So, on my first 5k I ran it in 37 hot, humid, sweaty minutes. Let's see where this takes me...
Labels: about me |
posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 6:53 PM  |
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| 18 Comments: |
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eye of the tiger - that is AWESOME!
great job on your first 5k, for just having started running! I don't know if I could recognize the actual metabolic systems (very cool), but I do know when I get to that rhythm - breathing, stride, everything syncs up and I could go forever!
and yes, the crowd at a race is amazing, isn't it? :D
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I'm so happy for you!
And yes, it can be hard, some runs obviously harder than others, but I think you made mention- it feels SO good after!
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I too have some very mixed emotions about running. Running was the first exercise I became "good at" once I lost a lot of weight, and I even completed a half marathon a few years ago. But honestly? That was enough for me. I quickly learned that I didn't love my body when I tried to be a runner, either how it looked or how it felt. Ever since taking up weightlifting + HIIT I have felt stronger, healthier, and more fit. My body just responds better. However, there are people in the running world, lots of them, that think running is the be-all-end-all, and that there must be something wrong with people like you and me who just want to run a little sometimes when we feel like it! But it's the same people who make no effort to try other activities, nor do they realize those other things might actually benefit their running. I just wished they realized there were other worthy forms of exercise out there too :)
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That was my first 5K time too! Congrats! There is absolutely nothing wrong with running short(er) distances. I think 5-10Ks are my sweet spot. I always get injured once I hit the Half mark.
You probably know thing, but whe you are running on the treadmill set the incline to 1. It saves your knees and you won't be able to tell a difference in effort exerted.
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Congrats! I'm really happy for you!
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What shoes are you running in? This can almost unavoidably cause you to heel strike instead of mid-foot strike from the built up heel alone. A more neutral shoe can help a mid-foot stride feel super natural and not something you have to try to consciously do.
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What shoes are you running in? This can almost unavoidably cause you to heel strike instead of mid-foot strike from the built up heel alone. A more neutral shoe can help a mid-foot stride feel super natural and not something you have to try to consciously do.
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What shoes are you running in? This can almost unavoidably cause you to heel strike instead of mid-foot strike from the built up heel alone. A more neutral shoe can help a mid-foot stride feel super natural and not something you have to try to consciously do.
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you are doing awesome!! I am so excited to follow you on this journey. Plus you look good doing it!
;-)
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That's awesome! Congrats on your first 5K! And yes, music is very important.
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I love that you did that 5K on a whim. And 37 mins for just starting to run? Not too shabby my friend. Not shabby at all. And the crazy thing is that 3 years ago I called myself a non-runner too. Adamantly so! I never thought I'd run more than 4 miles tops. You just never know..... ;-)
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Congrats!!! That's awesome Sarena - you should be so proud of yourself for getting out there and doing it!
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Yay - I'm so happy for you!!!!!!!! Running isn't easy - and don't let anyone ever try and convince you it is. And be proud no matter how many miles you run. Who cares if it's 1, 2, 3, 10, or 26.2!!
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Aww, yay Sarena :)
I hear you, too. I've been everywhere on the journey with running, and right now I just run to enjoy it...err when my hip cooperates. Perhaps if this had been my goal all along, I wouldn't be in this injury-related predicament ;)
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CONGRATS again on your 5k! So proud of you!
Maybe you will get us inspired to run again from time to time ;)
hugs
Lori
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Wow!! Congrats on your first 5K! That is awesome!! I like to think I am in fairly decent shape, but running has been my hurdle. I just am not that good at it. You are so inspirational to me! :) Maybe I CAN do it. LOL
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Are you kidding? You are awesome! And I know I am totally late to the game here but YOU CUT YOUR HAIR!!! It looks adorable! I love it!
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GO YOU! That's awesome.
You look so powerful and fit!
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eye of the tiger - that is AWESOME!
great job on your first 5k, for just having started running! I don't know if I could recognize the actual metabolic systems (very cool), but I do know when I get to that rhythm - breathing, stride, everything syncs up and I could go forever!
and yes, the crowd at a race is amazing, isn't it? :D