Oh, running. For the first...hmm, let's see, 27 years of my life, if I were asked about going for a jog or a run, my reply would be, "I hate running." I try to attend the gym on a daily basis (or at least three times a week if I'm really busy), and if I'm not at the gym, I'm going for a long walk outside.
At Year 28 of my life, something changed. I started to run.
I've never considered myself to be overweight by any means, but I definitely put on those extra pounds when I went to university and college. The "Freshman 15" that you always hear about just slowly crept up on me. Even though I've been attending a gym since the beginning of university, those years of just grabbing food on-the-go and making less than healthy choices when consuming way too many baked goods were catching up with me. One day after college had ended, I looked in the mirror and decided that I needed to make some changes, or else I could just keep gaining weight and put myself in an unhealthy position.
I have always embraced a fairly healthy lifestyle being raised as a vegetarian and I knew where my weaknesses were...sugary treats and chocolate! I cut back on those and started working out more regularly. But still....I did just about everything I could at the gym but run, because I had it stuck in my mind: "I hate running."
Within these past few years, after seeing some great results, I have continued my cardio activity, lifting weights to tone my muscles, and have been going to yoga classes...and in between all of the other exercises that I like to do...I gave running a chance. And...I actually don't mind it too much! Some days, I actually enjoy running! Who would have known? Not me!
A co-worker told me about the "Couch-to-5K Running Plan" that helps you basically get better at running. I could use all the help that I could get. It essentially helps you right from the beginnings as a non-runner to be able to eventually run a 5K. I totally recommend this plan if you're thinking of getting into running and you don't know where to start. I was pretty faithful to the program for the first few weeks but I'm a bit stuck at Week 3 of the plan...but that's okay. You're allowed to stay at certain weeks until you feel like you are ready to push yourself to move forward.
Has anyone else tried this plan for running before, and how are you finding it? The great thing about running is you need very little equipment (just a great pair of running shoes!) and you can run outdoors to explore new areas of town and enjoy the fresh air! I've been doing most of my running on treadmills as this summer was way too hot outside to run, but it will be nice to go for a run outdoors as the Fall weather approaches.
I no longer hate running; in fact, I am almost at the point where I can consider myself a runner. I haven't officially completed any 5K runs, but maybe that is a goal that I can set for myself in the future. Until then, I'm just enjoying the exercise and one less thing to be negative about!
2 comments:
I am the same way but have never gotten to where I run often or like it yet!!! I'll do it for a few weeks and then stop. Its hard with this Texas heat and I don't have a treadmill. But I need to do something!!
I did the couch to 5k! I did pretty well for a while, then moved and now several months later I can't run as well anymore. I'm thinking about starting it up again though, because it's a pretty good program!
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