My First 6 AM Run
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| Fri, 03-25-2005 - 11:20am |
First of all, I admire those of you who are morning exercise people. When I told my new "coach" I'd meet her at 6 a.m., I forgot that I would have to be up at 5something to get my contacts in and my running clothes on and get to the corner where we were meeting.
But I did because I said I would. I have done the run/walk on the treadmill the last few weeks, but getting outside in the cold was different. I coughed for like 10 minutes when I got home. I now know better where I need more clothing and where I was OK though.
My "coach" was ready, and wide awake, when I got to the corner. She said I should lead off and set the pace, but I only ran for like 2 minutes before she told me I needed to walk to bring my heart rate down a bit because she could hear I was breathing too hard.
It went pretty well. She had us ending with a "sprint to the finish" with those coaching comments and told me to lengthen my strides at that point, which felt pretty good once I hit a rhythm. It was about a 25 minute event. I'm just worried that I'm holding her back, although she said she is just getting out again after knee surgery. Didn't seem like she had any trouble getting back into it though. She's probably close to 25 years older than I am!
With Hap Ki Do and all the other stuff I do, I thought running would be a bit easier now, but it's tough. I think I'm strong enough for it, but I don't know if my body will ever get used to it or whatever.
I guess I am happy with my first run with a runner, but I wish they had a tired icon.
Lorie

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Ok, *now* I am *really* motivated to exercise more! (What? I've said that before??) and I just love that idea of a "runners high". It sounds like a secret that runners have (that you can only understand after surviving the first few weeks)...and so I am not one who likes to be left out of things, lol. I want to experience this "runners high" and so I guess I'm going to search online for a program for beginners that will ease me safely into running. If anyone has some suggestions, or good websites, please share them with me. :)
Kim
Lorie, way to go on getting out there!!!
Runner's World mag has a program for beginners on their site, but I liked this one from cool running. Here's the link: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
Although I am glad to have someone to offer advice and new stretches and encouragement, I prefer the run/walk approach which I did for two weeks. My running partner is into running just a short disctance, but running it, unless my breathing becomes too hard. Then I must walk a bit, but I find that I am walking less of the distance each day. It's just that the walk/run seems to allow one to gain strength without as much stress on the body, at least that's how I've felt having tried it both ways now.
I too am hoping to experience that runner's high that seems to keep people coming back to running as an activity of choice.
Good luck.
Lorie
I was happy to hear that it will take some getting used to because I was beginning to think it was just that I wasn't meant to run, it was so difficult even with all of the other physical activity I am involved in.
I do sort of look forward to it, or at least to getting out early while the city is calm and to having someone to go out with. After some of the runs, I haven't felt that great, but it doesn't take long before I am back to normal-just a hot shower and a Slim Fast or something like that help. Hopefully the warmer weather will help too.
Lorie
OMG, did you say 5 a.m.?! I think I would be better off if I would roll out of the bed five minutes earlier so I could walk for a bit before beginning the run, but no. I have this weird idea in my head that I need to be in bed 'til as close to our meeting time, at 6 a.m., as possible. What difference it makes whether I get up at 5:40 or 5:35 I don't know. I guess it's in my sleepy mind.
Running in the cold is definitely tough. I coughed for about ten minutes straight after my first day outside. That didn't happen when I was indoors on the treadmill. I don't know if it's for me yet or not, but I've decided to try to keep with it until the spring develops.
Lorie
Lorie, thanks for that information. I've been looking at the link you gave and I like the idea of the walk/run approach. Is it hard though to keep track of the seconds you are running? I wonder if I am ready to start that program (in the link)? I am used to walking 30 minutes at a 3.0 pace.
Kim
If you have a treadmill that keeps time, it's not too tough. The one I was using before I went outside counted down from 30 minutes though. It was a bit tough to figure the 90 seconds sometimes. I guess I am not bad with numbers, just don't like math much. SO got me a runner's watch for my birthday. It has features that make it easier to keep track of times; I can set it and stuff, so I don't have to "clock watch" the entire time.
When I used the treadmill, I was at 3.5 for my walk, but I'd only go up to 4.5 for my run, better put jog I guess. SO said I need to be at 5 for 12 minute miles.
I told a classmate at HKD last night that I am running with a sprinter. He asked me if I am a sprinter or a distance runner. I told him that I am just beginning, and trying to get through the first few weeks. He's a distance runner. He said with sprinters it's about speed, but for distance runners, it's about pacing one's self. I think I will work toward distance, although I don't plan on running marathons or anything.
It takes some getting used to, but I think I may actually enjoy it pretty soon. I didn't go out today. After yesterday's brief run in the cold, and last night's HKD class where we worked on kicking a lot again, my ankle needed a break, or better put a rest.
I hope your ankle feels better after a rest. It sounds like you are doing SO well! That makes sense that there are two types of runners...speed and distance. I want to be the distance one also. And that was very good to know about the speed. I walk at 3.0 usually, but this morning I did ten minutes on 3.5 towards the end. I'll try to up it to 3.5 the entire walk, and then I will start that runners program in the link...once I get the hang of walking the 3.5. Keep posting for us! You are inspiring. :)
Kim
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