Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Learning Curve

It was last November when I started running, really running. By that I mean running more than 2 1/2 to 3 miles at a time. I chalk it up to the great Fall weather and the yoga I was doing at the time (which has since fallen by the wayside for the moment).

I ran 4 1/2 miles one day, then 6 miles another day; I thought I'd just keep going. And I did for a while...then summer hit and the heat and my kids were home and I had trouble finding the time or the energy.

Very discouraging.
I am one of those people who believes things have to turn out perfectly or its a complete and utter failure and why did I think I could do it in the first place? I know, what am I? 12?

But I read a running book--well, part of a running book because it was really poorly written and I had trouble getting through it. An expert on running does not an expert on writing make--that said that every run should be a learning run, even bad runs.

There's my Oprah AHA moment!

Now, I'm getting it, and I'm learning that:

  • I need sleep. More so than I need to run. I'm not one of those people whose eyes pop open at 6 am eager to run. My eyes never pop open for any reason and 6 am, well, that's too bloody early.
  • I need to drink more water, lots more water. I ran 5 miles one morning. Did not drink much water that day then went out that night. Couldn't run for two days. Water, who knew it was that important?
  • I can't start out running too fast. On some days, I feel so good I run faster at the start and then poop out at mile 2. Slow and steady wins with miles.
  • Heat sucks. Can't really sugar-coat that one.
I've also decided not to do the marathon this fall but to do the half-marathon. The History Boys is a long play, almost 3 hours (those boys have a lot to say about history) which means long nights at the theater and less sleep. I figure that I'll stick with 13 miles for now, learn a lot about my running habits, styles, etc. and then kick ass next year.

See, you can teach an old dog new tricks!

6 comments:

  1. like running, life teaches us a lot along the way...and there are moments we want to give up, moments we become distracted, moments we don'tdrink enough water or take care of ourselves...moments we re3alise we have no clue where our comment is going other than...keep running. good luck in the marathon...don't know that i would be up to it.

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  2. I feel ya..I've never been a runner myself either..when I did try it (basically because a book had inspired me as well) I made myself so overly exhausted from not enough sleep that I about gave up exercise all together. lol heh who needs it! :) Good luck with the marathon!

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  3. I tried to post a comment but it looks like it did not go through. I wish I ran more and think a 1/2 marathon will make you feel very accomplished! xxoo

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  4. Great site. I jumped in here through Megan's site. I'm signing up!

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  5. yoga taught me that every time is different and a learning experience. I still struggle with that however. Some of us never learn.

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  6. Thanks Skip!
    Cali Girl: Yoga taught me that as well and obviously I struggle.
    Beth, I think a 1/2 marathon will make me feel accomplished without killing me!

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