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?

Post from: EveryJoe

There’s Always More to Learn

Can someone just not be “good” at running? I have tried and tried and tried for the last couple months to work up my endurance and speed and it just isn’t happening. I am lucky to get a ten minute mile and even then I do intervals (2 minutes running & 1 minute speed walking and even then I only get up to 3 miles). It never seems to get any easier. Do you have any suggestions on ways to work on endurance? I do elliptical and the bike sometimes but don’t feel like I worked out as hard.

Rachel- My answer would have to be yes. You know why? Because I suck at running too.

I know you must all be doubled over in shock, with your jaws on the floor, but I, Kelly Turner, personal trainer and fitness blogger of the year (I just gave myself that award) have zero endurance.

That’s not to say I haven’t tried.  Growing up, I never did any sports that required a great deal of endurance, or a lot of running of any kind. I did gymnastics and played volleyball for a few years. These are more quick, explosive sports, so I never really trained for anything longer than a minute and a half floor routine. 

After I got too old for sports (isn’t that sad when that happens?) I wanted to teach myself to run. I had visions of being one of those runners that gets up every morning at the crack of dawn and has 15 miles under their belt by the time 8:00am rolls around.  It seemed so simple: just run as far as you can.

Not so simple.

 I started doing the whole run a bit, walk a bit thing, to slowly increase my endurance, but it never worked. No matter what I did I still felt like I couldn’t go any further after a few laps around the track. OK, 2 laps. Literally.

I got side aches, I got bored, and there was nothing to keep me running. There was nothing to not stop me from running. So I would soon give up. I tried all kinds of programs, I tried treadmills (which held my attention for a bit longer) but I still couldn’t make it very long running.

So is there a physical trait that some people have that dictates who can run for hours and who can barely make it a lap?

Sort of.

People are born with fast twitch and slow twitch muscle fibers. You cannot change the amount you have of each, and everyone has a different ratio. Slow twitch muscle fibers are made for endurance activities, while fast twitch is made for explosive bursts of movement. The more of slow twitch you have, the better your body will be at long edurance runs.

Truth is, I have no idea if I have more fast twitch or slow twitch muscle fibers. I DO however know why I can not and will not ever be a runner: I hate it.

There is no doubt in my mind that with a strict program i could train my body to be able to run miles. It might even be at that point right now, but I still can’t. You know why? Its boring. I get side aches. It’s hard. There is no one chasing me or making me run, so since I don’t enjoy it, I stop. Im sure if I had to run for my life, I could go for hours, but when it isn’t life or death, I can’t push myself to keep going.

So my question to RACHEL is, can you not run because your body physically will not let you (you collapse, your heart explodes, your legs give out and you scrape you face on the sidewalk) or do you just stop because you feel like you can’t?

And my question to you RUNNERS out there is, is it honestly easier for you or do you just enjoy it so much so you push through the boring hell of it all?

Post from: EveryJoe

Q and A: One For Me and One For You, Dear Readers

Sorry.

 I just bought a super cheap treadmill and it rocks. If you are in the market for one but don’t have a few grand to spend, see my review at Every Gym’s Nightmare.

Post from: EveryJoe

If You Are Pinching Pennies….

If you are on the treadmill, and walking at an incline of 15, and holding on for dear life, YOU SHOULD NOT BE WALKING AT THAT INCLINE.

Holding on negates the results. You should not have to hold onto the treadmill. If you are, you are at too high of an intensity for your fitness level.

Inclines are great, and enhance results tremendously, but only if you are actually walking at that incline. Pump your arms to propel yourself forward, or put them on your waist, but don’t touch the machine.

Also, girls, don’t work out with your hair down. It bothers me.

That is all. Thank you.

Post from: EveryJoe

Just Throwing it Out There…