July 11, 2010

Favorite Beach. Favorite Run

The first leg of my run.

Exciting news!  I learned how to run.

A friend told me she was doing the Couch-to-5K Running Plan.  I was curious.  So, as an experiment, I tried it. Honestly, the first week is as easy or challenging as the 7th. Your body gradually adapts to more and more running time. 
I've had a life long committed to non-running, due to a natural aversion of discomfort.  So, the idea that I can run 30 minutes straight without feeling like hell is a marvel to me. I am feeling pretty proud of myself.

Things that have helped:

A motivating spot:  I run at the beach.

Running barefoot: Strong feet, plus no sweaty socks stinking up the laundry.  There's no need to panic if you forget your shoes.

Music: An ipod helps me keep track of time. I'll know a song is 3 minutes and tell myself, just til the end of this song--mental trickery--then start another.

Rewards: I jump in the ocean afterward for cooling dip in the sea.  Sometimes I body surf and feel like I'm on Maui.

Scheduling it in:  Going to the beach straight from work helps. That way I don't come home and start to concern myself with dinner plans, email, chores, etc.  I come home in a much better mood and deal with everything better.

I recommend it! You might be as surprised as me.

1 comment:

gchoke said...

Congratulations on your progress. I don't have such a beautiful beach as that, but I do have a nice creek about two miles distant. I ride my bike to a park, lock it, and then run along the Alum Creek bikepath. Then I ride home and cool off. Mixing up the run and walk takes the stress off my aging joints and really energizes my day - if I take the time to do it!

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