Have you ever driven by a runner on a gorgeous 65-degree blue sky day and thought, “I would love to do that. How lucky she is to be able to run so effortlessly outside?” Or maybe you drove by a runner on a scorching hot and humid Florida summer day and thought, “What would possess someone to torture themselves in that manner?!?? I must admit I have asked both these questions many times.
One day, I made a decision to start running; I went to the bookstore and purchased a beginner’s guide to long-distance running; yes, you heard correctly, this girl who could barely run for more than a minute was going to run a half marathon. What possessed me?.. I’m not sure. I was a regular at the gym, hefting around some pretty impressive weights, but now I wanted to try something different, and 13.1 miles seemed like quite the accomplishment, without seeming overly unattainable.
The first week was challenging, I got shin splints and was miserably sore. This, it turned out, was due to several factors:
a) I was attempting to run faster than my ability,
b) I was running in improper running shoes,
c) On the days in the book that gave me a choice to run or rest, I always chose to run; the more you run, the better you get, right?…wrong! The body needed time to condition and time to recover after a challenging run.
Finally, I decided to actually read the book rather than simply follow the program schedule. It contained a wealth of information, including a recommendation to get fitted by a professional for running shoes… duh!
I ran my first half marathon in 2 hours and 10 minutes. Hey, I never claimed to be fast! The day was spectacular, and I felt amazing until around mile 7 when it started to become a challenge. I passed on the Gatorade and barely drank the water because I feared it would send me to a Porto potty, and that was not happening! Naturally, I hit the wall at around mile 11, and only sheer determination got me through to the finish line.
The exhilaration of accomplishing my goal was short-lived. Everything hurt, and I could barely walk for two days. This did not stop me from signing up for a second race( what sorcery is this?). This time, however, I did extensive research and consulted with avid runners and coaches; all subsequent races have been much more enjoyable. My times improved, I wasn’t crippled afterward, and I actually started to love running.
The takeaway is that we’re all built differently and have different abilities and desires, but if you want to do something badly enough, don’t be afraid to go for it. Just be sure to ask for help, consult with others who have experience, and address any nagging injuries immediately. If you don’t succeed at first, keep trying. Who knows, you may just fall in love.
