I started running this past July. I did it because I had registered for the Run for the Cure as a member of team Bloggers for Boobies. We’ll all be running 5K to raise money for breast cancer research exactly one month from today, on Sunday, October 2. I am running for my mother-in-law who is a breast cancer survivor, and for my daughter, who I hope will grow up and live in a world without breast cancer.
Before I took up running in July I had a nearly 20 year hiatus. I hadn’t run at all since 1992, when running was required for my high school gym class. I didn’t enjoy it. But I was determined not to collapse on race day, so I bought new running shoes and an extremely supportive sports bra, and downloaded a Couch to 5K app for my phone to coach me through.
Photo credit – Ron Sombilon Gallery on Flickr
I am happy to report that, with less than one month to go until Run for the Cure, I have kept up my training. I’ve run three times a week, wherever I was. My friend Nicole and I ran together when we were in San Diego for BlogHer. I’ve run several times with the fabulous Suzanne of Green Planet Parties. And I’ve run a lot by myself, lost in my music and my own thoughts. I’ve actually come to enjoy running, which is something I didn’t expect. It’s time when I can be by myself, and do something for myself.
One of the features of my Couch to 5K app is that it allows me to record my progress in a journal. I decided to share some of my entries, which tell the story of my running so far.
Photo credit – Ron Sombilon Gallery on Flickr
Amber’s Running Journal
16 July – Week 1, Day 2: I felt good, I think I can do this!
21 July – Week 2, Day 1: Ran in Birch Bay. I definitely felt the longer run time, and I didn’t make it as far. This just got harder!
23 July – Week 2, Day 2: The 90 second runs were easier today.
26 July – Week 2, Day 3: It gets easier every time.
30 July – Week 3, Day 2: I messed up the app sequence during my warm-up and it left me flustered for my whole run.
1 August – Week 3, Day 3: My left knee hurts.
14 August – Week 4, Day 3: I messed up the cooldown, grr. Stupid app.
17 August – Week 5, Day 1: Kid-free in the morning, so I ran. It felt good, but hard, but good.
20 August – Week 5, Day 2: I feel more and more like a runner. I like that.
25 August – Week 5, Day 3: I ran for 20 minutes straight. I feel proud of myself!
27 August – Week 6, Day 1: I had a hard time getting my breath at one point when I was running uphill and it scared me. But I made it through without stopping and I finished my run.
30 August – Week 6, Day 2: The days are getting shorter. This may be the last time I run outdoors after dinner.
Running has definitely been an up-and-down thing for me. One day it’s great, the next day it’s a slog. But I’ve kept it up. It makes me feel powerful, and it reminds me that I can set goals and attain them. It’s a good feeling. Now I just have to make it to the start line on time, and I’ll be all set.
Have you ever participated in a fun run? I’d love some tips if you have. What do the cool kids wear? Should I carry my water bottle during the run? Any insider pointers would be appreciated!
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Twitter: JnJGoGreen
says:
Good for you Amber!!! I do the Weekend to End Women’s Cancers walk (ahhhhhhh next weekend!!) and everyone seems to carry water bottles with them. I had mine in my back pack but the 2 other most common ways I saw people carrying them was in their hands (you can get these velcro things for the bottles that will attach it to your hand) or on a running belt. If you haven’t been training with one of the belts then I would probably go for one of the one’s that goes on your hand. You can get them at any running store.
Enjoy the run and the moments it presents to you. The support I find during the Walk is unbelievable. It makes the blisters so worth it!
Jen’s last post … Being Present in Nature
Twitter: RachaelNevins
says:
Personally, I would find carrying a water bottle annoying. Can you find out if water will be supplied en route? Most of the road races I’ve done follow USA Track and Field rules, which require water stations at regular intervals. I imagine there’s a Canadian equivalent, though anyway I don’t remember whether or not the Race for the Cure followed those rules.
One thing to be aware of for big road races, especially ones that include lots of folks who don’t typically participate in road races, is that people generally don’t line up properly, according to their expected pace. Fast runners should be in front of the slower runners, who should be in front of the walkers — but almost nobody pays attention to this rule. When the race starts, I want to RUN. I HATE waiting for all these slow runners and walkers ahead of me to GET MOVING ALREADY so I can GET GOING. Yeah, I discovered early on that though I have no hope of winning a road race, I do get pretty competitive. But big races like Race for the Cure are a time to put aside impatience!
Rachael’s last post … Doing More Nothing
Twitter: AmberStrocel
says:
I’m not hoping to win – I don’t think I would stand a chance there. But I would definitely find it annoying to be behind someone who’s walking. It happens to me occasionally while I’m out jogging, and it really grates on my nerves.
Running is SOOO good. But it can definitely be a slog no matter how long you’ve run for. Some days are just like that. When you posted that you ran for 20 minutes straight I almost burst into tears lol… (though I may have PMS right now) because I know what an accomplishment that is. I’m so happy you’ve figured out how nice it can be to get some time to yourself, plug in those ear buds and enjoy some endorphins
Best of luck to you with your race!
I just started running this summer. Signed up for a 5k on Sept 18. It has been surprisingly enjoyable to run. I love the time to myself (away from my kids!!) and as you said, it feels so good to do something for myself!
Sheryl @ Little Snowflakes’s last post … Short term vs. long term
I love it! An app. I hear ya on the ups and downs of running. Two days ago, I went out to run and walked most of it. I just could not move and I was in terrible pain the next day. Two days later, today, I ran 30 minutes straight and felt fine. All I can say is I sure hope we feel good on “game day!”
harriet Fancott’s last post … August Redux
Oh… my friend, who is a trainer and marathon runner (and has 3 kids and is 40!!) said if you can run 20 minutes straight, you can run anything. You’re in!
harriet Fancott’s last post … August Redux
Looking forward to the big day. Good for you for keeping it up!
Amanda’s last post … I’m Not Really a Runner