The "Need" to Run

13

Replies

  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    Wonderful stuff. Very well done. It's the best feeling in the world, isn't it?

    The great news is that as you build endurance and speed, that high just keeps getting better. :-)


    This thread made me smile.
  • XXemomattXX
    XXemomattXX Posts: 68
    Don't over do it. A guy your size could get shin splints and all kinds of stuff. Take it slow and listen to your body.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    It's called mojo. You'll mislay it from time to time, but remember days like today when it might have slipped behind the sofa.
  • AmyS1224
    AmyS1224 Posts: 8 Member
    You just became a runner. :D

    It's a great feeling, huh?:smile:
  • GoGoSuku
    GoGoSuku Posts: 63
    I stayed up a whole day and till half 4 in the morning, got the urge to run. So I just went out and did it! I feel like running is completely natural to me, I get a buzz off it and become unbelievably happy :) Also sprint now and again...makes me feel 'primal'.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    First off, a little background on me: I am a BIG guy- I am at 345+/- right now, down from 357. So can someone explain what this means?

    Even though I finished Week 3 Day 3 of my 5K training regimen this morning, I ran again this evening. I have never felt the desire to run, ever. I felt it for the first time this evening. So I got up, got my running shoes on, and ran. 3.5 mph for 12 minutes and 29 seconds. It was amazing. I was tired, I was huffing and puffing at the end, but it felt WONDERFUL.

    What just happened to me? Why did I feel (and still do, to some degree) this need to run? Is this common? I am pleased, but perplexed, because this is totally new territory for me.

    I just started reading my copy of Runner's World "Big Book of Marathon & Half-Marathon Training" and your post made me think of the following passage written by Jennifer Van Allen: "You go from assuming that things are impossible to having the burning desire to find out what's possible. You go from believing you cannot to wondering if you can."

    It described my transformation perfectly and, I suspect the same for many people as they start on the road to fitness (whether it's running, cycling, swimming, lifting etc)
  • Dad_of_3
    Dad_of_3 Posts: 517 Member
    I am taking a break this morning, but I am really wanting to get out and run. I am definitely following all the good advice- I don't want to sabotage my progress by overdoing it, and then starting over (or worse, quitting).

    A couple of people have said that as one becomes able to run further distances, that the need to run becomes even greater. Is this true for the runners here?
  • marnet12
    marnet12 Posts: 73 Member
    You just became a runner. :D

    Congrats! The runner's high has kicked in!
  • fisherlassie
    fisherlassie Posts: 542 Member
    Isn't it wonderful!! I am doing Easy 5K and Jeff recommends I take a day off between runs so my body can heal. I have been following instructions because I don't want to get hurt but it is hard!!! I feel like running every day!! What a thrill to be able to run after all these years!!!
  • basillowe66
    basillowe66 Posts: 432 Member
    Yes running is contagious. I ran all last week except Saturday. It was over 100 all week and I tried to run about 10:30am . I was tied up Saturday until 1:00 or so and too hot so I took off. I was bummed all evening. Today is Sunday, I have to go to Church at 10:30 but I will be out about noon.

    Your body just wants to run because it likes the way it feels afterwards!!!

    Basil
  • basillowe66
    basillowe66 Posts: 432 Member
    If you have been running for awhile, you should try running everyday, maybe you can walk some and then run some and just alternate until eventually you are running everyday!

    Basil
  • lisadinges116
    lisadinges116 Posts: 1
    Good for you. For me, I am happier and calmer after I run. I suppose it is the serotonin rush, but the net result keeps you wanting to do it (as long as my knees hold up)!

    I just found http://www.clairedorotik.com/NLWC-EXERCISE_AND_MOOD.htm to help explain it.

    Post back and let us know your progress.
  • leopard_barbie
    leopard_barbie Posts: 279 Member
    I recently became a runner too, I love it so much! Not going to be able to run Thursday-Saturday as I'll be away and not able to take my stuff with me and I hope that it doesn't set me back! I guess having rest days is important too though. I'm only on week 3 of C25K but I get *such* a buzz from it, endorphins are the greatest!
  • christinehetz80
    christinehetz80 Posts: 490 Member
    Its the best addiction I've ever had. Congrats and look forward to hearing about your triumphs!!!!!
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    I am taking a break this morning, but I am really wanting to get out and run. I am definitely following all the good advice- I don't want to sabotage my progress by overdoing it, and then starting over (or worse, quitting).

    A couple of people have said that as one becomes able to run further distances, that the need to run becomes even greater. Is this true for the runners here?
    Once you get fitter, after a few months, and run a race you might get bitten with the notion that you want to improve or even worse, with the drive to see just how good you can get over the ultimate long term. What happens then is that your goal changes from running for weight loss to weight loss for running. You will begin to buy running books and learn all you can about running physiology so that you can improve your training and your running fitness. If you get it real bad you will set out to see what it feels like to run 100+ miles in a week like the Lydiard trained runners. See you on the road!
  • catweazle12
    catweazle12 Posts: 60 Member
    Like everyone else said...

    Welcome to the club, you're a runner and addicted :laugh:
  • Dad_of_3
    Dad_of_3 Posts: 517 Member
    Like everyone else said...

    Welcome to the club, you're a runner and addicted :laugh:

    I must have been crazy the other day- I started Week 4 Day 1 today. I am feeling it today- I'm exhausted! But I finished it all the way through!
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    ...What happens then is that your goal changes from running for weight loss to weight loss for running. You will begin to buy running books and learn all you can about running physiology so that you can improve your training and your running fitness. If you get it real bad you will set out to see what it feels like to run 100+ miles in a week like the Lydiard trained runners. See you on the road!

    You could have been writing this about me. I'm seriously considering a 100 mile week when I am on vacation at the end of this month, just to see what it feels like.
  • lauleipop
    lauleipop Posts: 260 Member
    A couple of people have said that as one becomes able to run further distances, that the need to run becomes even greater. Is this true for the runners here?

    Yes.

    I'm currently training for a full, so there's a progression in my mileage. I spent a year very happy with running 20 miles/week (2 or 3 short runs and then a 10 miler on Saturday). It was a comfortable place to be. Now I run 20 miles over three runs during the week (6 miles, 8 miles, 6 miles) and then a "real run" on Saturdays (currently at 15 - 17 miles). I cannot imagine NOT running 8 miles on Wednesdays. I don't think I'll ever go back to running 20 miles a week, I feel so much better running 30 miles.
  • Dad_of_3
    Dad_of_3 Posts: 517 Member
    Well, the need to run is becoming the ability to run. I ran Week 5 Day 3 plus one minute. Ran it. No walking. Walked 5 to warm up, ran 21 minutes, cooled off for 2 or 3 minutes. I can't believe I did it. I am serious. I'm stunned at how far I've come in 6 weeks.

    I meant to turn on my pedometer, but I think it was 1.6 miles for the running part, and if I add in the walk, I did a total of 1.9 miles.
  • lauleipop
    lauleipop Posts: 260 Member
    This is so awesome. Almost everybody I talk to fears week 5. And you owned it. So happy to hear this!
  • Dad_of_3
    Dad_of_3 Posts: 517 Member
    This is so awesome. Almost everybody I talk to fears week 5. And you owned it. So happy to hear this!

    I did this time! A week ago I could not do W5D3 completely. I did 10 minutes of my 20 minute run, walked for 2 minutes, then walked 10. Two days later, I did 14 minutes and walked 2, and then finished the final six. Yesterday evening I did the whole enchilada , plus one minute.

    I think nothing of running the rest of the C25K program now. It is just a matter of building up endurance.
  • laureltn
    laureltn Posts: 87 Member
    Just found this thread and loved reading how much you're improving already. Yes, do take it slow (speaking from a painful experience of too much too soon) and read books and listen to the experienced sage advice you will see here. But go you, and welcome to the club. The Dark Side has cookies. We have running watches, cool shoes, running playlists -- well, much better than cookies.
  • RichEiler
    RichEiler Posts: 8 Member
    Laureltn.. said it.. be careful.... to much.. to soon... to fast.... to far.... to often.. I still have the video of her using a walker....
    Your in it for the long haul.. take it easy and listen carefully to your body...
    welcome to the dark side .. the cookies are really good...
    GO YOU congrats man !!!
    rich
  • NoxDineen
    NoxDineen Posts: 497 Member
    You just became a runner. :D
    This. Congrats and welcome.

    Mind you, do try not to overdo it. Both myself (118 lb woman) and my friend (225 lb man, down from 300ish) hurt our knees during the initial "Must run MORE!" phase and ended up in physio, missing 6 glorious summer weeks of running.
  • cspence2270
    cspence2270 Posts: 229 Member
    I'm so glad to see this thread. I've had that same feeling recently it's almost as if I can hear the gravel road outside my house call my name in the morning. I'm serious, don't laugh, my legs start feeling weird almost jumpy or itchy and I just have to go. I'm bigger too and my pace is slow but I can do up to 3.8 miles without stopping. I have a hard time considering myself a runner- I just feel like I'm too slow, but I totally understand that need..
  • Dad_of_3
    Dad_of_3 Posts: 517 Member
    I am not having any pain except for my left knee, which has only recently begun acting up. My right knee is fine. I am going to get a knee brace- I think the ligaments and muscles are just stronger in my right leg. I can bear weight with no problem, it is just sore and tender, but when I extend it all the way it yells at me as if I am about to over extend my leg. My regimen is ice after running, and stretches. I have to go get a knee brace soon to stabilize my knee during running.
  • shreddin_mama
    shreddin_mama Posts: 1,076 Member
    Welcome to the club! See you on the roads
  • timboom1
    timboom1 Posts: 762 Member
    I am not having any pain except for my left knee, which has only recently begun acting up. My right knee is fine. I am going to get a knee brace- I think the ligaments and muscles are just stronger in my right leg. I can bear weight with no problem, it is just sore and tender, but when I extend it all the way it yells at me as if I am about to over extend my leg. My regimen is ice after running, and stretches. I have to go get a knee brace soon to stabilize my knee during running.

    Get a brace, but if you are having pain, especially knee pain, it is your body's way of telling you it is getting too much and you are injured. Granted, it is probably a small injury, but try and let it heal before it becomes a chronic injury. A brace is good to help you keep from getting worse or from getting injured in the first place, but only rest will help it heal.
  • laureltn
    laureltn Posts: 87 Member
    I am not having any pain except for my left knee, which has only recently begun acting up. My right knee is fine. I am going to get a knee brace- I think the ligaments and muscles are just stronger in my right leg. I can bear weight with no problem, it is just sore and tender, but when I extend it all the way it yells at me as if I am about to over extend my leg. My regimen is ice after running, and stretches. I have to go get a knee brace soon to stabilize my knee during running.

    Get a brace, but if you are having pain, especially knee pain, it is your body's way of telling you it is getting too much and you are injured. Granted, it is probably a small injury, but try and let it heal before it becomes a chronic injury. A brace is good to help you keep from getting worse or from getting injured in the first place, but only rest will help it heal.

    what he said! it takes time to build up those muscles and as much as you want to run free and often, patience pays. :)
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