Running Adventure Continues

I started running on Sunday, April 13 and completed two laps around the park, travelling a total of 3.55 miles.  Since that time, I've run maybe five more times.  Each time I run, I like it more.  I've found myself losing time as I run and clear my mind and it has become therapy for me.  

The weather here in Buffalo has remained inconsistent so at most I run perhaps twice per week.  I am definitely a fair weather runner, but because I am not really training for anything, it doesn't really matter how often I run.  I've continued to look at each opportunity I am out there as a gift.  I also look to improve myself each time I on a run.  

I am amazed at my running time.  When I first started, I didn't really know what to expect.  At the gym on the treadmill, I ran a 12 minute mile.  My first time around the park, I ran a little over a 10 minute mile.  During my last run, I ran a 9 minute, 4 second mile. I was stunned.  How could I be running so fast with so little experience?  A part of it is my stride, which is long, but I guess another part of it is my endurance.  I've been using the elliptical consistently for over a year.  I also use the stair climber machine.  I never would have imagined that doing those exercises would be such a positive effect on my ability to run.

Yesterday, I met a friend in the park to walk.  He is recovering from recent surgery and he was frustrated with himself for not being able to run.  I suggested getting a walk, and he was game.  The weather was originally supposed to be terrible, and it was wet and rainy throughout the day.  Yet, as the time came closer for he and I to get together, the sun started shining, so he and I were able to meet.  The walk was going well, when he suggested we start jogging.  We did and he was able to keep up a very nice pace.  We ended up running 1.5 miles.  It was awesome!  I was extremely proud of him, but I also saw that I could run with someone, keep up a conversation and have a good time.  The run time flew by and I am actually looking forward to running with him again.  

The moral of this story is to not be afraid to try something new.  I've avoided running for years, but because of a commitment to a friend, I took up the sport.  I then avoided running with another person, but because of another friend, I tried it and enjoyed it.  Are there physical challenges that you are initially scared or hesitant to try, that you end up enjoying?  

Success!

What does success feel like in your fitness journey?  Have you set goals along the way?  How does it feel when you finally reach that goal?

In 2013, I agreed to run my first 5K with my good friend Ron.  He wanted to do it and I said we could in 2014.  My original plan was to start training on the treadmill in January.  When January rolled around, I made excuses until another friend at the gym, Guy, took me to task and told me it was time to start running.  I did it and survived.  Unfortunately, I was unable to get the right running sneakers right away and ended up injuring my knee.  This set me back about a month in my training.  The weather here in Buffalo was awful, so the date of my 5K was going to be in April or May, so I really had not lost a lot of time in training.

I started running the treadmill at the end of February and continued to slowly train.  Ron and I discussed a training schedule outside, but life intervened and he started without me.  The weather continued to be a factor and I had no interest in running in the cold or on ice.  I soon realized that I had to start or I wouldn't be ready to run the 5K when the opportunity arose.

The date that I picked to start was my brother's birthday.  Alex was with us for one year, but he died from complications from Multiple Sclerosis on his first birthday.  This year was the 30th anniversary of his death and it is generally a difficult time for my parents and me.  I didn't realize that it was his birthday when I picked this day---it was a Sunday and therefore a "run day."  The weather was perfect---high 40s and sunny.  Delaware Park was fairly quiet and I was able to get a groove going.  My running music playlist is awesome and inspiring and before I knew it I had run around the park twice.  My total time was 34:48 and I ran 3.55 miles.  Keep in mind that a 5K is 3.1 miles, so I ran (over) the length of my goal in excellent time.  At the gym, I have the treadmill set for a 12 minute mile, so I ran faster outside than I do on the treadmill.

To say that I was proud was an understatement.  I realize that it is not a big goal to some, but to me it was amazing.  I can now say without any trepidation that I can run the 5K.  I am ready, willing and able.  I also loved being outside running and I cannot wait to get out there again.  The weather is supposed to take a turn for the worse tomorrow (it actually already is), so I won't be out there tomorrow, but Friday looks good.  I am feeling so pumped.

I thank you all for allowing me to share my successes from my journey.  Whomever reads this, know that I appreciate your support.  Meanwhile, here is a song that describes how I felt as I was running.

Finding Motivation

What motivates you in your quest for fitness?  Is it something that happens from within?  Is it seeing the results on the outside?  Is it being noticed by other people?  Perhaps it is a combination of all those things.

I've been struggling a bit with staying on track.  I work out at least 90 minutes per day, six days per week, but I don't always eat the best and there are other things that I want to do with my workouts.  I want to work on doing a more effective and efficient workout, and I also want to work on specific body parts.  For me, because I was so heavy before I started this quest, I am still working to tone up in certain places.  I am trying to do additional work to help tone these muscles.  In addition, I am working quite a bit on fat loss.  I have yet to do a body fat analysis, and perhaps that should be my first step.

I am motivated to get back on track with the fat loss as we move into warmer weather.  I have several polo shirts that I can still wear from last year, but because they were not of the best quality, some of the shirts have shrunk and now are too short for me.  In addition, apparently my biceps have grown quite a bit because they are almost busting out of some shirts.  I want to have clothes that fit and look good. I would like to settle on a size so I can make an investment in good quality clothes and not having to replace "cheap" shirts at the end of each season.

On days when it is raining (like today), I often find it hard to go home and work out.  I love doing most of my workout in the mornings, but if I plan on focusing on a single body part or area of muscles in the second part of the day, it is hard to get into it.  Between my cat Gobee, the weather and my desire to sometime just want to eat, I often set myself up for failure.  I have started eating small meals throughout the day which will keep me on track on when it comes to my hunger.  It is next to impossible for me to work out when I am hungry, so making sure there is something in my stomach before I go home is key to my success.

As I close this post, I think that it is important that I get back on my grind.  The diet, the fitness and the focus.  Speaking of grind, see if anyone of you remember this one from the 90s.