I am not a runner.
I want to stress that again. I am NOT a runner. Never have been. Ever since my gym class had to run the mile in the third grade and I took 20 minutes to complete the task I have been discouraged. Plus, I'm not so fast and I have, like, zero lung capacity.
All that being said: I'm trying.
Monday I ran the mile track around my apartment complex. It's the first time I've attempted such a feat in years. Took me 10 minutes, and I alternated 30 seconds of brisk walking and running, but I did it! It's part of my plan to get back in shape after a few months of lapsed gym-going.
I was pretty sore the next day. Maybe if I had read this Newsweek article about the ten mistakes new runners make I might have avoided some of them. I definitely didn't stretch properly before and after. The article said that cooling down after a run is extremely important, but I sort of just stepped off the track and got into the shower. And I don't think I'm wearing the right shoes. (Mine are more designed for support in the gym or general training instead of running.)
I think I may try the Cool Running "Couch to 5k" program to get a little further--even though I don't plan on running a marathon any time soon. Couch to 5k is a neat online program that helps non-runners train for a 5k in just 9 weeks. There's a cool detailed plan online and tons of resources and support so you feel like you're running with a team. Very neat.
Hopefully my next attempt at pounding the pavement will include less wheezing. Maybe if I keep up with it I'll surprise myself and become a really great runner.
What's the biggest exercise challenge you've ever given yourself?
P.S. Some cool news about exercise: we all know it's good for us, but according to a study done by Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School in Jerusalem, even if you start exercising well into your 80s you can prolong your life and improve its quality. More motivation to keep working out!
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