Friday, November 20, 2009

Running For Fun?

I've never been fond of running....



but if your reading this and anything like me you probably have heard the wonders of running and kinda felt some sort of envy for those guys and gals out there who look so focused and happy, and fit running their 3-5 miles a day, and they all look so fit.

so i finally this past year had to to get ready for Navy OCS training. Where at 25 years old I had to be able to run a 14:53 mile 1/2. after hitting 175 lbs (at 5'11) decided to make a run for it and trusst me I hate running but someone once made a statement that really stuck with me..have you ever seen an overweight runner?


I HATED running before i tried a simple running prgram for my self less than a year ago..it alays was sooo painful, and my throat and lungs always start burning and i feel like i could die right that moment. It didnt seem worth it. So i'd go to the gym and do and hour on the elyptical, or bike instead and that was that. My first day out inthe park I could barely hold my shoulders up by the time i hit maybe a tenth of a mile... i walked the rest of the mile in defeat..it was like a punishment rather than a workout wathing all those seasoned runner pass me so quitely.. i couldnt even hear them pant as moved to the side to let them pass one running guy even gave me a loud hello as he passed! Sounded like he could strike up a full conversation with that tone.

So the next day I got out there and never looked back here's how...

What we don't know is that that very first run is the worst one you'll ever have after that you will feel better and the longer you run instead of that dreaded feeling your get. It will change your mood, increase you energy level...yes i said increase, and make you healthy research has shown running acts as preventative care to almost every disease it seems. In the weeks passing you'll actually start to run to feel better.

An old co-worker of mine used to tell me he ran to relieve stress and i used to look at him like he was crazy. how can running, breathing hard and painful stomping on the sidewalk make you feel any better. Crazy talk?!!! but after a week of so it helped me, even made my worries and slight depression go away.

but it is important to start slow try to walk/run for the first few weeks. for example

walk for 10 minutes ( to warm up)
run for 1 minute
Walk for 10 minutes
run 1 minute

you may be sayin' this isn't goin to do anything im better off not running at all.. but you lungs will start to realize hey she's/he's using me up like crazy I need to get stronger for her/him!!! ( i mean it doesn't say that...but you know) your body will adjust. It will make it a point the next time you go outside and start walking to make sure they are ready for those 1 minute sessions of unusual stress and it will feel easier and your body wont be as shocked... each week increase the minute increment by 2 so the next week you will be walking 10 minutes run 3. walk 7 minutes...and so forth try to workout for at least 30 minutes though the heart association says 30 minutes is all you need to become and stay fit and dont forget to cool down for five minutes and stretch to prevent injury.


yes it may take a while to get to running 30 minutes nonstop but looking back it is amazing the chjanges your body will make for you.. focuse on distance not speed the further you go the more calories youy burn and the more your workout will contribute to you weight loss plan. Mine is at least 30 minutes three times a week i leave a rest day in between my workouts to get some recovery time to prevent injury..


please share with me your running experiences and what you do to become a better runner I really would like to hear what helps begginer runners adjust to the new lifestyle changes..

heres a site i use to help me with a ll my runner questions from what gear to wear , to how to get the most out of my workout www.runnersworld.com