Wednesday, May 02, 2007

back at it

Now that it's warm out, I've taken up running again. And as always, it's so hard. No matter what I seem to do at the gym during the winter, it seems I'm never in good enough shape to just ease into it out there. It's always an uphill climb at first. Lots of huffing and puffing and sidewalk pedestrians moving out of the way when they hear me coming up behind them (they can hear me about half a block away.) I know it will get better in about a month. Maybe less.

I don't run long distances. I rarely if ever go farther (or is it further?) than 3 miles. This is good for me. It's the range that seems to be the best fit.

Several years ago, when we lived in the city, I got into this kick about pushing myself to run longer and longer distances. I think I just wanted to see if I could do it . Also, I was inspired by the joggers I saw every morning down by the lake. I figured, if they can do it, why not me? I started keeping a daily log of my runs on the Hal Higdon website. It was kind of exciting to see my progress over the months, to see that what I thought was impossible was actually - possible! I'd go out in the morning for a run by the lake, then come into work and log my miles on the computer. I saw my distance building like a graph chart. 3 miles, 3.5 miles, 3.7 miles, 4.1 miles, 4.6 miles...and so on. I peaked around 7.5 miles. That was plenty, I didn't have to prove anything to myself after that point. Plus, I got pregnant. My interests changed.

Today I don't think about pushing the distance, I think about pushing myself out the door. But hopefully not for too long. When summer really gets going, I'll be just fine.

12 comments:

Libby said...

I found the best way to judge the distance of my runs is to use a measure of enjoyment. When it stops being fun, I stop. I'm glad you're back at it! I can't wait to get my sneakers on again...

Marissa said...

I am soooo proud of you and even a little inspired to get my butt out the door. This reminds me of the time early in our friendship, we vowed (over a glass of wine of course) to train and run the Marathon. Ahh, to be so young and naive ;)

Ron Fimbel said...

I admire your disipline. I am still working on the getting out the door part.

Meg said...

Oh, PR, we were nothing if not optimists! Good thing we chose more wine together v. running together. We have some very happy memories because of it...

hqm said...

Good for you!
I have been running since the January and have slacked off a bit! But, I just put on my sneakers to head out for a run. My jeans were so snug this morning...I have no choice!

SuburbanMom said...

Oh good for you! I can't wait to start running again. As soon as my classes are done in a couple of weeks, I'm going to run every morning after I drop the boys at school. And I believe either one is OK..."Further" or "Farther"...both are correct :)

Rosemary said...

Good for you!!!
I am a walker, I walk about 4-5 miles almost everyday.
It's nice to be outside instead of in the gym.
Rosemary

Gayla said...

I'm so proud of you for running! Good good for your! And when you are discussing distance as you were, it's FARTHER. If you are discussing depth of study, like "Let's investigate this further," it's further.... So you were correct. (Ye olde Grammar teacher comes out to play.)

k e r r y said...

Good for you!! You should get the Nike+ iPod combination - although I just "figured" it out last night - and have only one run with it - it's motivating!

Kimba said...

Goood for you, just getting out there feels great!

Reading this keeps me pumped!

Monogram Momma said...

3 miles! That is a long way to me so GOOD JOB!!

smilnsigh said...

Wonderful that you can run. You must still have young legs and joints, my Dear. :-)


Mari-Nanci