Adventures in Running - Part 1

I've never considered myself a "runner" in my entire life.  In fact, I've typically considered the opposite.  Although, I would run in Taekwondo and Karate in short amounts here and there.  Even did try to "pick up running" with a friend in Karate one summer.  We would run in the mornings before classes and I'd run around the outdoor field track at school.  Still didn't consider myself a runner.

Last year though, a good friend of mine started a running club at my work.  And some friends I worked with convinced me to go check it out.  "Walking is okay", they said. "Don't have to be a runner to go", they said.  So I went.  I actually hated it the first night there.  I felt super out of shape, more so than normal since I was surround by real "runners" (later found out some there were and still are triathletes too).  Never thought I'd go back.  But for some reason I did.  Maybe cause I felt the anger at myself for letting my body get so out of shape and the desire to somehow conquer this problem.  Maybe just cause all the "cool kids" were doing it.  Maybe cause there were some friends at work who I never got to see or visit with that I wanted to hang out with.  I am not sure.  The point is that I returned the following week to the running club.

The cool thing was that everyone who was in this club was awesome.  Friendly.  Nice.  Warm.  Welcoming.  Encouraging.  Supportive.  I, honestly, was very surprised.  It was a happy surprise though, one which did make me want to keep coming back.  Though the first month or more I just stuck with walking the routes.  Didn't want to try running yet.  Wasn't sure I could.

At some point though, I got very frustrated with just walking and watching everyone have a blast running the routes.  So, I took off my walking shoes for some running ones and did my best to keep up.

Unfortunately, not knowing how to run properly, nor how to pace myself... I was an expert at burning myself out in the first block or two.  But that block or two was great!  Could keep up with the really good runners who were super fast! Felt really good and was so much fun!  The rest of the route after the burnout was painful though.

On top of being unable to pace myself or really know where my limit was and sticking to it, I also had to conquer knee and hip problems that showed up from running.  Always knew I had bad knees (presumably from Taekwondo for years, but who really knows?), but knee AND hip problems?  Also seemed to develop asthma that only showed up from running past my limit (which come to learn is very common).

Long story short... the past year in a nut shell:  I conquered my fear and great distaste for running.  I conquered my knee and hip problems by seeing a physical therapist who told me I have flat feet and pointed me toward special shoe inserts with arch support and gave me exercises to strengthen my legs.  I just conquered my asthma problem thanks to learning it's only from pushing myself too far.  I also just conquered my inability to pace myself thanks to a friend for giving me some good tips and running with me to show me good pace.

And the best part... I ran my first 5K race today.  :)  I feel pretty proud of myself.