Legs are for getting from A to B to C at a nice brisk pace. They are not for running. Only lunatics run. Except that secretly I have always wanted to be a runner, jogging along looking fit and fluid as I get in 'the zone' and discover those things called endorphins.
But the only way to become a runner is to run. And running is painful. It's agony. It makes my lungs shriek and my legs scream. It is torture and I have avoided it whenever and wherever possible. In the last couple of years I have questioned my body's ability to be able to do it at all after 15 years of running retirement. Except when I watch The Biggest Loser I see people running who are far older than me - and obese as well! Surely I could still do it. I bought new runners at the end of last year and have been thinking about it ever since.
This week I stopped thinking and started running. For the last 4 days I have been out running. It is still agony and it still torture but I am determined to persevere. Right now I'm doing the Couch to 5km program which is supposed to get me fit in 8 weeks. Week 1 involves running for 60 seconds then walking for 90 seconds - repeat 8 times each session, three times a week. It sounds so simple yet I'm finding it really hard. However, I am determined to stick this out. It has to get easier, doesn't it? If I keep going then surely it will hurt less. Surely I can run further each time.
It is still torture. It is still agony. I'm hoping I can make myself go out again tomorrow. This feels like the hardest and stupidest thing in the world - making yourself do something that hurts so much!
I have been going to the gym this year. Averaging 2 ties a week, subject o life happening.
ReplyDeleteI had to have almost a month off due to being ill - well, I went back to my body pump class for the 1st time after a month off. A weights class set to music. I tell you, I have NEVER been so sore in my life, and I have played hockey at various stages of my life (from 10 to 21, then 25 to 31) and seriously, have never been so sore as I was in my life after that class the following day. Friday's class wasn't so bad, in fact, I could feel the work out, but not to the point it hurt to walk...so hang in there, it does get better
Thanks for your encouragement, Sarah. I have exercise induced asthma so running has always been associated with pain and fear! I used to play hockey (12-18 and 24-28) which suited me with its stop/start action, but this is the first time I have seriously tried to get fit by running daily. A couple of rest days has done wonders and I'm feeling so much happier about everything. It's not so painful and not so hard :)
DeleteNot sure I can manage the gym though, just yet! Hope you're fully fit again now after your break :)