Thursday, December 4, 2008
Question For All You Runners
Okay guys, I have been doing a 20 minute run Monday through Friday for about five weeks now and I still feel like I am dying. Some days are pretty good, but then the next day I will be exhausted after 2 minutes and the other 18 minutes are torture. So does it ever get better consistently? I don't expect to ever love running or train for even, say, a half marathon. I generally feel pretty happy with 2 miles in 20 minutes. In fact, having run 5 weeks consistently is probably approaching a record. I think I went three months straight my freshman year of college. But I was hoping that eventually I wouldn't feel like I am torturing myself 20 minutes every day. Since, I realized I am never going to give up chocolate and icecream for very long, and that my 30 year body does not want to stay as thin as my 20 year old body, I plan to do this for the rest of my life.
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7 comments:
Oh it gets better. And you are on the verge of that betterness, don't worry. Just keep it up. Because if you stop, it's even harder to to start up again then it was to start in the first place.
And may I please congratulate you? What an amazing accomplishment! Seriously, I am so impressed. I'm trying to be healthies with this pregnancy and exercise throughout the entire 9 months. It's proving difficult, but I'm doing OK for now. Hopefully I can do great soon. haha.
cant wait to see you guys! 2 weeks from today? awesome.
Hey Diane! I haven't been checking blogs for sometime and I really enjoyed reading all your entries. They are so entertaining! I see that life for you guys is never dull.
About the running, first of all, I am 100% amazed at your consistency and dedication. Even when I love it, I still can't get myself to go more that 3 maybe 4 times a week. I'm impressed.
You may find if you try to run farther that it gets easier and more sustainable. I know a lot of runners say that the first 2 maybe 3 miles are rough then they're body gets in the mode and it becomes much pleasanter--a mild tiredness level that plateaus. I know Em M would agree with this. I think it has something to do with what energy your body begins using at about 20 min. that makes it easier. I know that's how it is for me.
I serously think it runs in the family because I've been running also and walking up a mountain and I still feel like I'm having a heart attack, I still eat chocolate and ice cream also and I really doubt it is the food. I think it is in our genes. Ask Amy maybe she knows.
Hey Diane,
Nice job with the running. I am seriously pathetic lately in the running dept. However, you may wnat to consider the following: instead of running 5 times per week on consecutive days, try running MWF and maybe Sat also. use the other days to stretch your legs. Your body needs recovery time. I wonder if this would help you acclimate to the running. I usually do MWF and then a long run on Sat (that is when I am running...
James
Oh yeah, if you REALLY want to exercise on those off days (T, TH), just do something that works a different group of muscles in addition to the stretching.
Stretching after your run will help A LOT. I am a bit extreme with this but usually run for 30-40 min (dep on distance) and then stretch for about 30 min. It makes ALL the difference for me.
James
I agree with the other Em. THat is exactly what I was going to say. I know this is strange, but seriously, I still HATE the first 2 miles of running. I start to feel good after 2-3 miles. Then I feel like I can just run run run. This is very common though, as I have read about other runners they all have a hard time getting through the first couple miles but then they can just go forever.
So here is a suggestion (and I know with 6 kids, one on the way, you don't have a whole lot of extra time) But you could run fewer days and increase yuor miles those days and just walk the other days or don't do anything. Or like on Saturday try running a little farther and just go on a short walk friday. This is what I have been doing lately because I can no longer run my 10-14 milers. I run 3-4 miles 4 times a week, walk 2 miles on friday, and then run 6-8 miles on Saturday. And yes, the first 2 miles are always, even when I did my marathon, the hardest part.
I have to say though, I am 100% impressed with you and yuor running! I didn't even know you had started! Hooray! I love it when people run! It makes me excited for them. The funnest part about running is adding a mile here and there on saturdays and seeing how far you can actuallly run. Also, the races are really really fun. So when you move here next year, yep we can run. No, I won't make you do a marathon....yet ;)
Oh but there are a couple races I am doing in December. one is on the 20th, and the other is new years eve I believe. They are very cheap ( I will pay for you if you will run with me) and they are only 3 milers. You could totally do it. so If you will be here those days we should run them together.
Hey Diane,
Everyone's posted some great comments! Your dedication to running is amazing! 5 days a week for the rest of your life? You go girl! I agree with what James said - maybe switching to M/W/F and doing something else on the off day - like a yoga DVD. I would also check to see how your breathing is going when you run - sometimes I forget to breath at times and then it catches up to me.
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