There’s Always More to Learn
August 17, 2008 by Kelly Turner
Filed under Fitness
Well, based on our past conversation, and watching this feat of amazingness last night, I’ve decided to give running another shot.
I decided that since I know for a fact now that it’s a mental block that keeps me from running, I can’t use it as an excuse anymore. So, since this is summer in Seattle, which means it was raining, I popped in Accepted, one of the most underrated and hilarious movies ever, cranked up the volume and hopped on the treadmill.
I had to resist the urge to get through my mental block by running until my lungs exploded or my legs gave out, cause I know I would burn out and never be able to keep it up. So I did about 3 miles alternating running and walking based on how I felt. I tried not to go too fast because of what said, so I ran at 4.5 mph and walked at 3. It felt like a good pace that i will keep for a while before increasing. Gotta build that baseline.
It’s funny, because I am a trainer and I know all the logistics of running (proper form, how to build endurance, when to up pace/time) but I have trouble keeping up with it. I think the progression is too slow for me, but I really want to do this this time, So I have to be patient, another thing I am NOT good at.
It wasn’t so bad. Although I felt bad about not being able to take Porkchop outside, aside from that, it was a good run. I haven’t been really exhausted after a workout in a long time so it felt good to collapse on the couch afterwards (after some stretching of course), all sweaty and spent.
Has anyone read Chi Running? I’m thinking about picking it up, but wanna know if it’s worth it. Thoughts?
I’m glad your run was better!
I feel like I’ve heard about the movie Accepted..but I can’t seem to think of what it’s about or who is in it. Looks like I’m going to have to add it to my list of movies to watch!
The only time I could successfully run was when I found a guy who ran at my exact perfect pace. It was faster than my friends ran, but so perfect that it felt almost effortless.
I should speed up the treadmill and find out what that pace is… but I figure I’m old and don’t need that extra stress on my joints. So I’ll just remember the feeling and locking my sights on this one guy’s butt…
I did an experiment with Chi running. It was… interesting. I don’t think i can run like that all the time. Although I do take “chi breaks” during my normal runs and try to do it their way. I didn’t take a class tho – just used videos from the Internet and mag articles – so I may not have got it right. Def. give it a try and let me know what you think of it!! Warning: You will feel like a total freak at first. It’s “phoebe running” at it’s finest;)
Nicole- if you click the link its shows you what movie it is. Its a stupid teenager movie that i should have outgrown, but apparently haven;t.
deb- i dont think i could run with someone else- not yet anyway. hot guy= great motivation ;)
charlotte- OMG i forgot about pheobe running. I have to try it now.
Phoebe running was one of the big things that inspired me to start running! No joke, I was always made fun of in highschool for my running style. My soccer coach said he knew I was working hard when I was “swinging those long arms!” I always thought I hated running, but I wanted to be a runner. I’ve been out of college for the summer, so I thought it was the perfect time to attempt it. I did the couch to 5K plan, and now I’m running 4 miles at a time. I have my first 5K on August 31st! I’m by no means fast, but I sure love the difference I feel from my usual walking routine. I was usually walking about 25 miles a week, but it’s been great expending more effort with running. I walk the 1st mile with my dog Maggie, then I put her up, run for 4 miles, and walk an additional cool-down mile. And it takes me less time than it did to walk 5 miles, so that’s a plus as well. And my resting heartrate? Down to 50 beats per minute…not to mention the stress relief from pounding out those miles! :)
Glad to hear you’re giving running a try! I’ve always “hated” it as well, but I just needed to get past the mental block…which still comes into play ocassionally. I know that I can do it physically, it’s just a mental game with myself!
I read Chi Running, and it’s probably the only reason that I run at all. If you have time to read the book, it really describes the way I feel about running now.
Let me try to run it down a bit: Basically, if you look at the way a child runs – it is beautiful and natural – they run with a natural forward lean. All of the “work” in running comes from the core of your body. By using the forward lean, you’re using gravity to propel you. So: faster times, less impact, and a lot more fun. As a trainer, it would definitely be a great book to read so you could give your clients an opinion on it. Look at the videos too, it is definitely not the Phoebe run – it looks light and comfortable.
I just ran a mostly-dirt 4.8 mile race through rolling hills. It was such a blast. So many “real runners” around me complained that it was so hard, and that the hills were killer, but I honestly couldn’t figure out what they were talking about. It was so fun! I finished in the top 1/4 of participants in my age group. I am also a person who NEVER ran before last year (except suicides during high school basketball practice (don’t get any ideas that I have runners legs – I’m a short-legged 5′3″)). I told my husband after the run, I’m glad that I’m not “a runner” because I guess that the course wasn’t supposed to be fun – ignorance is bliss. ;)