Here’s what I learned on my first run
Posted on 02/16/2009 08:49 pm by kagranju
So after work today, I went to the running store to buy a pair of running shoes. I explained to the peppy, impossibly fit-looking, 21 year old female sales person (living in a college town, we are loaded up with these people) that I tend to have weak ankles, and I need good arch support – this I know – so she cheerily recommended some shoe models for me to try. The first pair was tooooo tight. The second pair was toooo slippy in the heels. But the third pair was juuuuust right.
She rang me up, and out I walked with a real, honest to goodness pair of running shoes – which, for the record, were not cheap. But cheaper than a gym membership.
When I got home, I went running. Just like that. I figured I would see what I could do. And what I learned is this: I am in very, very, VERY bad shape. I kind of knew this, but my inability to run an entire mile without stopping to walk several times was pretty pathetic. But I did my mile on the neighborhood greenway, which has mile markers, and then I walked the several blocks back to my house just as the sun went down. And as silly as this sounds when speaking of my very first run, when I could only barely run one mile, I did indeed feel that runner’s high everybody talks about. I felt great, if a bit rubbery in the legs.
I think the shoes are a hit. No hint of shin or knee discomfort. But interestingly, several hours after my inaugural jog, I find that my upper arms are sore, like I lifted some weights or something.
I plan to do it again tomorrow. I’m kind of even looking forward to it.
02/16/2009 at 9:37 pm
Great job! Those first steps are the hardest. Next time you run try to make sure you give your arms a good loose shake occassionally and try not to clinch them. Have fun!
02/17/2009 at 10:28 am
Wow! As one who only runs either to catch children or when bing chased, I am very impressed!
02/17/2009 at 12:13 pm
Leslie- That’s exactly how I feel about running! But I have to do something, and running seems like the least-complicated solution to my sedentary-ness (sedentarity?). I think I am just going to have to force myself to do it. And I do have to say that I felt genuinely great when I was done. I had a little happy buzz all evening.
-Katie
02/17/2009 at 10:03 pm
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
.. its been a really nice introduction to running … i dont know any of the if/hows/whys/etc of whether its the best one out there, but its doable for people like myself that aren’t overly active!
02/17/2009 at 11:37 pm
Did you do it two days in a row? Only 21 days makes a habit! As for me, I am thinking we will join the Y since the new one is so nice and so close.
02/18/2009 at 9:54 pm
My running store perkygirls tell me to run with my thumbs brushing in front of my hipbones and make sure you’re not tensing your shoulders. It seems to help, as my thumbs are no longer numb when I run.
02/19/2009 at 6:34 am
My recommendation: don’t try to run a mile without walking. Not yet anyway. Take as many walk breaks as you need to build up to 30 minutes of forward momentum (add a 5 min warm up and cool down and you are there pretty quick). Do that for a couple of weeks and then reduce walking. Have fun.