Thread: I am becoming a runner!

Cprinne
Cprinne Posts: 1
edited February 2 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi Fitness Pals :)
This is my first post - I really love reading the threads where everyone chimes in with their own two cents, so I thought I'd try to start one of my own. I'll give my story first - I'm one of those that have always been a little overweight, but an active happy person nonetheless, here and there putting in some hard work to get it under control and sometimes letting it run wild. In fact I am a former MFPer - had good success a few years back.
I have never, however, been able to run. Like - one or two minutes max and my lungs were burning, I was wheezing, lightheaded. Then last year my boyfriend and I took a six month trip around the world - backpacking, hiking, climbing up to the top of every cathedral, temple, hilltop, clocktower, whatever they had to offer we were huffing and puffing up it. My boyfriend was really the impetus behind the constant hustle - and although I complained of course I can't thank him enough - the trip was amazing. If you want to see pix here's my blog trekaholics.tumblr.com and here's his
http://tripline.net/trip/Around_the_World_in_200_Days-306677100497A2B0A3AF5F8899111111
Anyways after all the hustling when I came back I got on the treadmill and thought I'd run a minute or two. Or another minute more. Or another. Or... Am I? Holy cow I think I can run a mile! I did! Amazing!
Well that's all well and good, but I kept up eating as if I was still walking several miles a day carrying a heavy backpack and this spring I hit my all time high weight - yeeesh! I had kept up the mile, but only sporadically, and although I could complete it I still wheezed so much people would consistently ask if I was alright. So I brought my doc in on it - he said I could have exercise induced asthma and gave me an albuterol inhaler - wheeze gone! Also the coughing for several hours after gone! Who knew - maybe that's why I always avoided soccer in gym and camp like the plague lol.
Don't get me wrong - plenty of days I hate running while I'm at it - but like they say - if running is too hard - run more! I always feel happy and relaxed and proud after. I have dropped 7lbs. I keep getting these epiphanies about how I am truly becoming a runner. Unbelievable - I never would have predicted this :) A couple weeks ago I ran 3 miles. In a row. No stopping. Granted it was crazy slow but it counts. Most times I run 1-1.5 miles at a clip.
So here's the thing - reading motivational quotes, others running experiences (like after 10 minutes you hit a magic stride and it gets easier - actually true) etc really helps. So any other long time or newbie runners - share your successes, struggles, favorite quotes, epiphanies about becoming a runner - whatever you got!
Thanks pals - can't wait to hear what your input!

Replies

  • Michelle_dirtracer
    Michelle_dirtracer Posts: 245
    I started running a few months ago. I was just like you and could barely run for 2 mins. I am now up to running 2 miles for 25 mins. It is such an accomplishment to me. Everytime I get back and tell my boyfriend how far I ran he tell me great job and he sees me improving. It makes me go harder to prove I can do more.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    I've been running for a number of years now and probably the most important lessons I learned were:

    1) Slow down.....most of your training should be at a pace at which you can carry on a conversation.

    2) Be consistent, you will only improve (at anything in life) with consistent practice / training.

    In terms of epiphanies......

    Running is fun if you give yourself permission to treat it as play time. If you watch kids playing what do they do? They run, they laugh - it's play. As we grow up we take ourselves far too seriously, make your exercise time play time, make it fun, embrace goofiness (but not prancercise.....too goofy) and enjoy the run.

    Nobody cares how silly you look in your running tights and fluorescent yellow running jacket. Runners are now part of the urban landscape and (for safety reasons) we have to go out of our ways to actually be seen by motorists etc.
  • kjm_723
    kjm_723 Posts: 66 Member
    I ran a mile for the first time (in my whole life!!!) earlier this summer and I'm working towards a 5k and actually looking forward to it. I actually kind of like it. I used to say I hated running and just couldn't do it. Well that's not true!
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    if I can do it
    then you can do it
    GO!
  • __Di__
    __Di__ Posts: 1,661 Member
    Well done OP!

    Running is wonderful!!

    I used to run on the treadmill, when I started running outside, I heeded the advice of somebody on the forums who said, when you start to do running outdoors, slow down and then slow down some more. It worked.

    Now, eighteen months later, I am able to judge my pace, that piece of advice became invaluable.

    Enjoy your runnng, do not let it become a chore, it is tremendous exercise and so worthwhile :flowerforyou:
  • Will_Thrust_For_Candy
    Will_Thrust_For_Candy Posts: 6,109 Member
    I started to take running seriously around the beginning of June, ran my first 5k on July 6 and then started a 10k training program right after that. This past Tuesday I ran 6k without stopping. I actually fist pumped when my program alerted me that I was done. I was in the middle of the sidewalk of a busy street :laugh:

    Tomorrow I will do 9k for the first time. Maybe I'll do a happy dance upon completion :drinker:

    It feels darn good to be a runner!
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