You started to run a couple of months ago, but not because you liked it. In fact, you hated running. Even in elementary school, the mile run was the one aspect of the physical fitness testing that baffled you from the start. You could whip all the boys in pull-ups, sit-ups, and definitely the sit-and-reach, but you lagged behind during those four laps on the track every year.
Despite that, you knew that you had no endurance, and that it’s best to start exercise habits when you’re relatively young and spry, instead of when the metabolism decides to move on to greener pastures. Plus, building up cardiovascular health was a good investment for the future, especially since high blood pressure runs in your family. The climbing gym had treadmills, but your only pair of sneakers was at least five years old. And then you found a pair of Asics for half off, so there was really no excuse.
You set up a program for yourself to run and walk for thirty minutes every time you were at the gym. You started out at eight minutes of running, and made a resolution to replace two minutes of walking with more running every two weeks. Once you got to twenty minutes, you’d start jogging around the neighhorhood, and maybe even with the dog. You got a small notebook to log the distance and times and bought cheap hand towels to mop up perspiration. You were ready.
And, really, you weren’t that bad. The eight minutes weren’t fun, by any means, but by the third or fourth time, each pounding step on the conveyor belt no longer elicited strong feelings of hatred. You concentrated on staying on the balls of your feet and breathing correctly, and you were surprised at how the degree of torture was less than you anticipated. You successfully ratcheted up the running times, and you learned quickly to cover up the clock with your notebook, so as to avoid counting off every dragging second. You find that you don’t mind the running, once you get down to it.
You’re working on sixteen minutes of running this week, and at the pace you’ve picked, that’s 1.2 miles. Due to last week’s horrendous heat wave, you took a hiatus of twelve whole days, according to the notebook. That is not good. This time will probably be painful, just so you know.
As usual, start off with two minutes of walking warm-up. Squeeze an old tennis ball in your right hand to build forearm strength. Two more minutes at a slightly faster pace, and then head in to the sixteen minutes of running. Slide the notebook over the digital display to hide how slowly the time is passing. Focus on the climbers in the gym. Tell yourself not to check the time until the guy on that white route comes down to the ground. The last three minutes of running are a challenge. You feel your feet flattening out and your arms flapping, but you lean forward and pump your arms to finish out. You’re aware that your face is beet red, and you can feel the sweat dripping down the small of your back. Lovely. Remind yourself that the mirror is showing much more toned calves, and you may even see that creep up your thighs. Yes, remember that.
At last, the sixteen minutes are over. You made it. Now, six minutes of brisk walking. Drink water slowly. Drape the towel around your neck. Breathe deeply. Two minutes of slower walking, and then two last minutes of slow, cool-down walking. Squeeze the tennis ball in the left hand. The distance meter reads at two miles, and that feels pretty good. You’re getting closer to that vague “5K in the future” goal. You hobble off the conveyor belt, gather up your running paraphernalia, and return the magnetic key to the front desk. After pushing through that half hour, you’re ready to sit in front of the gym’s big turbine fan and stretch slowly. You earned it.
15 comments
Wow, you have so much more discipline than me. I don’t know if I could ever be a runner. But Tim and I are hoping to get a gym membership in the fall, and I plan to spend a lot of time on the ellipticals, which can be as tedious as running at times. So I’m glad for the tips about covering up the clock and setting goals.
Keep up the good work!
I want you to know all day I tried to talk myself out of going to the gym after work…then I read your post and I’m ready for the treadmill. Thanks!
This post could have been written by me…I hate running, but have a “run a 5k goal”. We will see if I ever actually do it. Good luck to you
Hi! Have you seen the couch-to-5K plan online? If you google it, you’ll find it. It works! And isn’t all that awful!
Wow, this is fantastic! Can you please be my personal trainer as I get back into half-marathon shape?
xox
Oh this almost makes me want to start running again. It’s too easy to find an excuse to stay home.
I hate running.
HATE. HATE.
But I’m happy for you
Awesome! Congrats!
Many people build their distance by doing “run for 3 minutes, walk for 1″ challenges. Your heart rate can’t decrease too much during the 1 minute, and you can go for further. I prefer your way- keep the pace and continually try to go further, but hey, it’s always worth it to consider other ways, too.
Welcome to the runners club!
This is how it starts… You could definitely go out and do a 5K and this point. It might hurt and feel hard, but your fitness is probably already there!
You are doing everything right… covering up the time display, warm-up walking, adding distance gradually. I have no sage running advice at all! Just a heartfelt “keep up the good work!”
I’m so impressed by your dedication to your plan!
I ran a little bit in college with my friend (a cross-country person - first mistake!). She helped me build up gradually, and on the day I ran 16 minutes (so weird that your post was about 16 minutes), I threw up in the bushes on campus. Lovely. And I promise my face was way more red than yours has ever been.
But it felt good to accomplish 16 minutes. And I kept going in the weeks ahead and eventually built up to 30 minutes. The first 30-minute run was the best run I’ve ever experienced. The feeling was amazing…the “runner’s high” you hear about, I guess. I have some arthritis now and don’t think running would be the best thing for me, but your post has at least inspired me to do SOMEthing athletic. Thank you. I needed this push.
I’m getting a “gently used” treadmill on Saturday. I will have to print out a copy of your post as inspiration.
Thank you!
Yay for the running program! I think you’ll enjoy it even more once you finally get outside. (And it’s not a prerequisite that you start on the treadmill, you know. I didn’t! The weather in your area might be prohibitive to being outdoors right now, though.)
Good for you!
I feel like I would enjoy running so much more if I didn’t have boobs. Dudes don’t even know how easy they have it.
Great job with the self-discipline!
RA: I’m enjoying your writings! Loved your description of the 2 miles on the treadmill. Thanks!
Leave a comment