Nine things that have surprised me about running
By Jennifer
I’ve been “running” for less than six weeks, so feel free to roll your eyes at one or all of these things!
1. No matter how excited I am to strap on my running shoes, the first five minutes are usually the most brutal. At least once during those first five minutes I think, “this sucks, and I hate it.”
2. As soon as those five minutes are up, I feel fantastic.
3. It’s not my stamina that gives me the most problems, but my calves/shins/feet. When I try to talk myself into stopping, it’s usually because I ache more than I’m truly exhausted.
4. There’s nothing in this world like finding a groove. Struggling while running is frustrating and can really mess with my mind but when I hit that groove, wow, no work-out tops it.
5. Regression happens. I can have a great run and feel on top of the world one day and then have the opposite experience two days later. That’s tough for me; I like steady progression with no setbacks (don’t we all?).
6. Pace doesn’t really matter to me, at least not yet. If I’m jogging/running, I’m proud of myself. I thought I’d care how fast I could go, but I really don’t. Finishing something is the point, not how long it took me to do it.
7. It can be boring. Intervals help a lot with this. Instead of staring down a daunting half hour, I can focus simply on the next few minutes, but, still, running is a solo sport and I tackle most my runs with just my thoughts and time. I’m still figuring out how to mentally conquer the boredom and silence but when I do, I think I’ll enjoy running even more.
8. By the end of the run, I feel better and less drained than at the beginning. I’ve noticed this with other work-outs (the 30 Day Shred, for one), but at the beginning, I’m sluggish, slow, tired, excuse-filled but by the end (after at least a half hour of activity), I feel less winded and more in shape. That may be a total no-brainer to regular exercisers, but it’s such a strange experience for me.
9. I LIKE IT! It’s not easy and it’s more mentally challenging than I hoped it would be, but when it’s good, it’s incredible.
What surprised you most about running?
February 15th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Your #8 is the prime reason I get myself to the gym regularly. I try really really hard at the end of each workout to imprint that feeling on my brain/body. Of course, it almost never works when it’s rainy out and I have a bucket of cookies nearby. But if at least part of me knows I’ll feel better (da brain), then I can usually convince my lazy body to get up and go already.
Congratulations on the success so far! Do you have a reward in mind for yourself once you’ve reached your goal (or is the reaching the goal enough)? It’s been awhile since I had a reward in mind for myself, but I used to promise myself some new workout pants or iPod holder or something to keep me interested.
February 15th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
I do have a reward in mind! Both a ridiculously expensive pair of jeans and a fancy dress for my husband to take me out on the town in. So, clothes. My bank account is already afraid.
February 15th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
I realize everyone’s different but.. I remember, back when I despised running, not being able to understand why people loved running, when the first few miles were so excrutiatingly awful. Eventually, after a few miles, it would become tolerable, but I was in major physical discomfort for the first few miles.
Now? Sure, the first few miles are warmup, and may not feel fantastic. But NOTHING like I used to feel. What I used to feel was almost like growing pains, as my body got accustomed to the pounding and the new sensations. And at some point, those just went away.
Your mileage my vary, but here’s some hope for you! Now I absolutely love running, even the first few miles. I neverevereverever thought I’d be able to say that.
February 15th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
I think what suprised me most was–like you said–how cool it is to get in a groove and how easy (well…easier) it became. I can still remember how much FUN I had when my running partner and I ran our longest distance (7mi) before my first 10k…we changed routes, threw in a GIANT staircase and I was having a ball.
Of course, that was months ago, and I’m now struggling to run 2mi. Oh well, I know I can do it because I did it before…
February 15th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
These 9 things apply pretty universally not matter how experienced a runner you are, I think.
And as for the shins, I get KILLEr shin splints within about 3 runs if my sneaks are wearing out. Make sure you have good shoes!
And also, music helps with the boredom. The worst thing I find about running without music is the sound of my own breathing.
And awesome job!!! You are doing great!
February 15th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
I think what surprised me the most was that training actually worked. I started out barely able to squeak out a mile and am up to 10 miles now, with a half-marathon planned in a couple of weeks. Your #5 still kicks my ass, though.
February 15th, 2010 at 10:48 pm
The first five minutes…IS AGONIZING! I hate that inner prickly heat that happens, along with it.
I found the couch to five K helped with some of that at the beginning because you’re “not allowed” to run five minutes. Heh.
Great list.
February 16th, 2010 at 11:17 am
I find that running outside helps with some of the boredom. Not sure if you do most of your runs outside or on a treadmill… Music can help too, as well as a running buddy. I run with friends at work whenever I can and they help pass the time and we help push each other when one of us is having an off day.