I feel kind of ridiculous even talking about it because when I look back on my "running" experience...it involved a lot of walking and panting like a 500 pound couch potato. The route was around the Idaho Falls Greenbelt- but it wasn't the FULL huge route...it was what they call the "Temple loop" or something...which is 2.3 miles. It's a pretty beautiful area around the river and temple. I have to tell you, I was expecting the hard part to be my joints...but that was only a MINOR inconvenience.
My LUNGS!
Boy oh boy. We ran for MAYBE five minutes? Then I was like- okay I need to walk. So we walked for a bit, then started back up...THAT is when I felt my joints kickin in. But like I said, just an inconvenience really, it wasn't horrible. I soon realized after about a minute? I was like thinkin..."holy crap, I'm going to have to walk even sooner" and so then we walked again. This pattern continued a LOT- and everytime I thought things like, "Okay I can get to that tree" or, "As soon as we hit those shadows" or something. Honestly, my friend was hilarious because she was like, "Just so you know, when I run...I can't really talk, so we will have to be silent running partners...and I breath HEAVY. Just to warn you..." like she was insecure or something. But let me tell you, compared to me she seriously seemed like she was just having a nice stroll around a park. But she has been running for a while and gotten conditioned. We finally got to the car and I was PARCHED. I have a ginormous water bottle that usually takes me all day to drink. I drank the entire thing in less than an hour after the run.
When I got out of her van, I was so worried. I felt like I did after DC. My joints were KILLER. I felt like an old man. I felt defeated. I was like...even coughing when trying to talk to Clay. I had to sit down. I started worrying, oh my gosh...this is my life. My joints just suck.
But I am happy to report, they are already doing great, just like...an hour after we finished. I am recovering already. And I'm realizing this is nothing like DC.
Clay and I have talked a lot about this...cause I've been feeling insecure lately about my joints and what their status is...and we've realized that logically...my joints need to regain their strength just like my muscles, lungs, everything. I went over a year doing NOTHING with my body. Just laying around. And at that same time I would be losing weight. It was just an unhealthy time. So it will take a while before my joints can handle things you know? So I'm excited to keep trying to regain strength in them and build a healthy strong body :)
I have to say, as miserable as that run was....I felt pretty tight when I got home. I don't mean "tiiiight dude, that was sweeet!", I mean...tight muscles. Tight abs. I like it. So, I definitely want to do it again. I will be on the Oregon Coast next week, so I plan on doing some more running/walking there! Woohoo! Hopefully I'll be a little more conditioned for when I come back. I still definitely don't want to run everyday. Eck. And no thanks on my joints. I just think it could be a good thing for me to do 1-2 times a week? We'll see.
I feel so funny posting this whole story. I feel like most "running" stories, are these EPIC races and marathons that people ran for like HOURS and over hills and mountains and things...mine was pretty pathetic comparatively...but this felt like a pretty big milestone in MY life that needed to be documented :)
10 comments:
You should be so proud of yourself! Don't ever be hard on yourself for your amazing effort. Do you have an ipod? It makes running tons better. I hate running w/o mine. You can get ones off craigslist for $20...or borrow a friends and see how you like it. Great job!
Way to go! I would totally be the same way--panting the whole way through. I still can't believe I actually used to wake up early to run a mile around my neighborhood every day when I was in middle school. Who was that girl?? lol Keep it up!
Good job Danielle, you rock! Everyone has to start somewhere and the important thing to remember is you got out there and did what you wanted to. If you continue you will start to notice a change as far as progression, and let me tell you it feels great. Keep up the good work. Have fun with your family this next week!
OH my gosh, have you read my other comment by now? I am so impressed. I was so impressed with myself for running 2 MILES that I took a pic and documented it on the blog. I felt a HUGE HIGH and was so proud of myself. And it took me like 2 months to get there. So don't sweat having to walk a lot and feeling like an old man. HONESTLY, the first time I ran with Greg, we had to sit at a bench along the way and I honestly thought I might die. Like I was having a panic attack and telling Greg I thought something might be wrong and I'm going to die. Really. It is TOTALLY normal, to have to walk and feel horrible during- but great after. It's the wierdest thing. But it will get so much better. Good for you for keeping at it! Glad the pain didn't last, but I bet you're sore today!!!! :)
Oh yeah, I read Jessica's comment. Music changes everything. Whether it's slow and theraputic or upbeat or angry- whatever you're in the mood for makes SUCH a more energetic and enjoyable experience. Greg and I would always run to a certain point- like a tree- and then walk and go back and forth till I could do the whole thing on my own. Greg and I would talk a bit, it just gets so boring without a little something!!! But Greg probably did most the talking- he's in way better shape than me. I sort of miss running sometimes. I'm just so much better at walking. I could walk all day long, but I couldn't run 5 minutes, right now.
WAY TO GO! I can't wait till I feel like I'm better at running - you would kick my trash! So if you're ever in Provo and you wanna go for an easy run - look me up!
that's great danielle! All these amazing runners didn't start out that way, nobody does. Everyone has to START, and they get better gradually until they're these amazing motivating runners! Just like lifting weights- you start out doing nothing- until viola you are lifting major weights! I think it's amazing you even tried!!!! keep it up! you are inspiring! i love you!
I really like the couch to 5k program for people who are curious about running. It slowly conditions your legs to accept longer distances. I also firmly believe in compression socks or calf sleeves for longer workouts. They seriously take away so much of the calf soreness associated with running on the road. They are spendy but worth it if you get serious about running. I don't recommend running with an ipod unless you are on a track or treadmill. It is too hard to hear traffic/other people coming up behind you and it can be dangerous. Maybe just keep one ear free for safety? People can be creeps, especially if you have a set route that you run every day.
GL with the running. It's not for everyone. I bet Dante would like to go on some really short runs with you and you could wear the ipod because he is scary enough. Bella's limit (when she was young) was about a mile. She was always faster when she knew we turned around to go home. Lazy dog. lol.
So proud of you, Danielle! I can't imagine how hard that must have been on your body after all that you've been through and since it's been a while all of that put together. OUCH! I really hope you recover quickly and that you're able to ease into it. Keep at it!
Post a Comment