Running Away...

I started running this summer, and not very well I might add.  At first I could only run for about 2 minutes at a time, by then I was huffing and puffing.  Pretty sad right?  I was out of shape, but I had no idea how out of shape I was.  I learned quickly, but refused to accept it and eventually overcame it. I have a fierce competitive streak in me, even if I'm only competing against myself. 

What I probably look like running

I started to do something called interval training.  This is where you walk for awhile and then you run or jog for awhile.  You may have seen those C25K programs on the interwebs (Ha Ha). Well eventually you try to run/jog for longer than you walk and Bam...your a runner.  Well, okay not exactly like that but close. I put a lot of effort into my cardio health because it was pretty lame I have to admit. For that I worked out at my local YMCA (bet your singing that song now) on what they call an Elliptical and an AMT which stands for Adaptive Motion Trainer.  All of the sudden I have great cardio.  Yea for me. Yea for my heart.

My daughter and I love to walk together and our summer mornings usually started out with a 3 mile walk through our local park and town. Every time my daughter and I went for a walk, we added some jogging and then some hill repeats and racing.  It was a lot of fun for both of us.  She's almost 12 now and will someday be able to run with me, she is still working on her form.  (She's at that gangly stage, long legs anyone?)

If running isn't for you, jog...All you have to do to become a jogger, is to run slowly...lol.  Those of you who run will get the funny in that statement, at least I hope you will.  Seriously, I consider myself to be a runner, but I will admit I'm not that fast, but who cares, at least I'm lapping everyone on the couch.  I am now obsessed with all that is running. And...


When I say obsessed, I mean over the top OBSESSED (this is said in my singing voice). I dream about running, when I pass a great road I think to myself I'd like to go running there...when I watch the boob tube (T.V.) I will always see a great place to run...I have running skirts, shirts, jackets, shoes...etc. Get the point, I'm obsessed.  When I go to sleep at night, I'm thinking about running and hoping for a dry and not too cold day.  You see I like to run outside not on the dreadmill.  I like to smell the fresh air and feel a breeze on my face, and also I like to actually get somewhere different than where I started.  Just sayin'.


When I wake up I'm wondering what the weather is like.  Is there enough fuel in the body to do a morning run or should I wait til later on in the day.  Again, I'm obsessed, and I digress.


Where was I before I got distracted?  Oh yeah, I was talking about training to run.  After a few months I was able to run longer than I walked, until I could run and not walk, unless I wanted to.  Success! In October I ran my first ever 5K at age 40, my time was a respectable 34:36...I came in about the middle of the pack.  I actually walked part of it, who knew there was a hill? Not me! I have since ran many unofficial 5K's in a shorter time period so I know I have improved. 

My next race is April 14th at The Pear Blossom Run I am doing another 5K due to a foot injury and I will be running this one with family.  My 14 yr old son Jesse will be with me as well as my sister-in-law...although I will not be running along side them, I'm faster than both of them and would like to beat my last time. I had originally planned to do the 10 mile run but injured my foot on a long run several weeks ago and have had to cut back on training a bit.  I am back to running and doing well..my last 5K run time (un-official, of course) was 32:35 and you can bet I was doing the happy dance after that one.


My son and I are now training together for the 5K and it has been a blast so far.  Both my 16 year old Jacob and my 14 year old Jesse have just come out of the wrestling season and are in pretty great shape.  Jesse has lost almost 30lbs and is much lighter on his feet.  Unfortunately Jacob was injured and awaits an MRI on his knee and will not be able to join us in April. 

Running has become my life saver in more ways than one.  Running helps me stay sane, healthy, fit, looking great and feeling not so blue.  And before anyone says the inevitable "Running will ruin your knees" let me point out this article at Runners World dot com. I make sure to ice, and rest often.  I do my best not to over train, even though I am not always successful. I land mid-foot so as not to hurt the balls of my feet or the heels of my feet, so no worries, it's all good.  At age 41 (Shh, don't tell anyone) there are bound to be aches and pains...it goes with the territory of growing ancient older. Don't even get me started on the shin splints I got when I 1st started to race like the wind jog. 
 

I enjoy running and I seem to be good at it.  I feel more accomplished when I run, maybe it's the wind in my face and the beauty that surrounds me...whatever it is I hope to be running for a long time to come.  Do any of you run/jog? If so drop me a line and let me know what it is about running that you love/hate.  Blessings and God Bless.

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

© 2012 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.