Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Running Like the Wind...or maybe a turtle.

I have always had a secret desire to run a marathon. Every time I see someone out running I think, "Man, that looks like it feels SO good." Then I try it and hate every minute of it. I can not run to save my life.

When I was a senior in high school, I took correspondence classes to be able to graduate early. One of them was for a P.E. credit and I had to run a mile. Good ol' Jarom would show up at my house every morning and force me to run (walk briskly) my mile. Honestly I think I lied to complete the course and wrote that I could run an 8 minute mile. I've NEVER been able to run a mile in under 13 minutes. And now, I bet I couldn't get it in 20 minutes.

Today, I decided I would try again. I googled "how to train for a 5K" (decided I better start small, marathon is WAY out of my league), donned my sports bra and running shoes, and took off. The guide said if you are a non-runner (uh....me) to walk 6 minutes, run 1 and repeat that pattern 3 times, 3 days for week one. (Got it?) I thought that sounded a little pathetic and decided to skip to week 2; walk 5 minutes, run 2. Easy peasey right?

WRONG! I am pathetic I tell ya! I did my first 2 minute run and could hardly talk to tell Carter and Kate which direction to turn on their bikes. Then it was suddenly time for run #2 and after 1 minute flat I thought I was going to puke. I decided I'd better get back to training week 1's advice and gave myself the full 6 minute walk before run #3. I was able to run for 1 more minute, but my heart and lungs felt like they were going to explode.

HOW IN THE WORLD do people run marathons??? I mean seriously, they have got to be made of different material than me or something. Why does it look like it feels so good? And will I EVER be able to run a mile straight?

21 comments:

Nichole said...

hahaha! did you watch biggest loser? you just start running and you keep running and you puke and keep running =D

i'm running in my first race,since high school, on saturday in boise. my friend tried to convince me to do the half marathon but i'm sticking with the 10K just yet.

plus i've heard once you can run 5 miles, the rest is just fluff and you can run forever.

ok maybe not forever, but definitely a marathon

Jewelle said...

Running was NEVER my forte until my Junior Year. I slimmed down to...105 lbs...WOW! I was able to finally run an 8 min mile. That lasted until my wonderful first child came around. Now I suck wind hard! I've started running though. I run one block, walk one block. It works well for me. What is the website you got this info from?! I want to try it out. Maybe we can "slim down" together! :D Maybe even quit our beloved Dr. Pepper (Okay cut back not quit!) Good luck with your running.

Wendy said...

Hello, soul-sister! LOL I am so there with you on the running thing. I've trained myself to jog on the treadmill for 5 straight minutes. I am singing hallelujah when those 5 min are up! I can barely make it.

My brother in law says "yeah, running always hurts the first 5 minutes. If you can make it to ten minutes, you can run forever. Hang in there!"

Hmmm. Are these runners just setting us up and laughing at us from behind a bush, while we run and then puke our brains out?

I think it's a conspiracy. LOL

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

I have always had that marathon dream, too. But I suppose I ought to be able to just walk to the mailbox without huffing and puffing before I have hopes of running.

CB said...

I am so with you. I did the exact same "How to run a 5K" a couple years ago. I actually stuck with it for a few weeks and made a little progress but it never was fun and I never felt like doing it - I had to make myself.
So I guess I also have to ask - How many weeks, how far do you have to run before you wake up in the morning and say "I can't wait to run this morning?". I just never see that happening.
If you figure out the secret let me know!

P.s. We can talk about the arranged marraige someday (wink wink).

Deanna said...

I don't even think I OWN a sports bra!!! Totally, though, I'm watching the biggest looser thinking I AM the biggest looser for watching the show while shoving food in my face...So I'm thinking that maybe you and I should get together and walk 7 miles, run 1, or however that went. Ryan is too good, too fast, and too encouraging. :)

Want be training partners???

The Manwarings said...

I had a class in college that where you had to run a mile in a certain time to get an A. The first time I attempted it took me 18.5 minutes. Yes, pretty much the whole class was laughing at me and the fat guy who finished behind me. The treadmill helped me learn to keep a pace so I didn't wear myself out.

becky ward said...

oh, this makes me wish i could be running right along with you. i never really enjoyed it while i was running...but, i did LOVE how i felt afterward.

i am so proud of you!

Unknown said...

I admire runners.

I like to watch them while I do ... pretty much anything else.

Brenda said...

Oh, I did the same thing in January! After a couple of months it gets better!! I know that sounds like forever, but it goes faster than you think! I was just getting good, and I hurt my feet and had to stop:( So now back to square one!! Good Luck!!!

ClancyPants said...

I used to feel the same as you. I decided to run last summer. I am not running all the time, but the itch to run is there and I am now a converted "I-love-to-run" girl. Keep going with it. Better yet, find someone to go with you. It's so much easier with someone else.

The CEO said...

Running a marathon was on my "bucket list". I did it in Nebraska. Let me just tell you...in my opinion, running a marathon is NOT about the 4 minute mile (leave that for the Olympics), it's all about finishing! If you really want to do it, you can. Shanna

Manwaring Family said...

I don't know if I should comment or not - Josh and I actually ran a marathon together in 2004. Neither of us are runners ...so sad that we wouldn't be able to run a mile now if we had to. All I can say looking back is that your body truly does adapt day by day. (that means that you have to stick with it everyday - which is what I'm struggling with right now!!)I do remember my first 11 mile run was HORRIBLE and I cried for the last half, but my 19 mile run was AWESOME and I felt like I could go forever!! I'd love to run with you sometime!! I'm sure I'd make you feel better because you'd be way ahead!! P.S. All of your posts are always so dang cute - I don't comment anymore, but I'm lurking!! And I hope Kate is doing better. See you Saturday!! (call me and we'll go running before the game if it's not freezing outside!!)

Camille said...

Yay for you for going!!! That is the hardest part. I ran my first marathon in 2006. It was amazing, and if I can do it, anyone can! I had Charles in 2005 and that fall I began to run with Louis so we'd have something "in common" to do together. He mentioned wanting to run a marathon. After that moment I began researching the marathon and different books and training schedules, and I committed to do it and told EVERYONE! That was such motivation for me. I was scared out of my mind, but the minute I decided to do it, the running got easier. My battle was 90% mental and even though I ran into some physical limitations that put me in physical therapy for a while... it happened and I love running! One book that really helped me is called "Running with Angels" by Pamela Hansen. It was amazing! Good luck! Come run the Top of Utah Marathon... the first like 17 miles are downhill in the fall. So beautiful and so easy going! :)

Lee Ann said...

So funny Elena! I have started the "cool runnings....couch potato to 5k" program several times. A couple of years ago I actually got to the 15 minute part. But, the first day, when I did the one minute part, I seriously was dying going down the stairs the next day. It was HORRIBLE!!! I started again several weeks ago, but am now back to walking. I am JUST.NOT.A.RUNNER. And I know lots of runners who used to say that too, but I guess I just don't want it bad enough. Part of me does....the night before I run. Then I get up in the morning to go do it, I start, and 30 seconds later I talk myself out of it. I feel you "sister"!

Lee Ann said...

I figured it out! Try it and see if it works.

Lula! said...

I never want to run a marathon. The only running I do is to the pantry.

True story.

I love that you knew Jarom when you were in high school.

Jennifer Jamison said...

Try eating a piece of cheesecake before you run. It works for me every time....

Trish said...

You sound exactly like me. We should do this together. Seriously. Motivate me just a little... tell me I can do it...

LouandAngela said...

Well, at least you're motivated. My family is going to FORCE me to run a mini triathalon with them at the cabin the end of June. Lou told me not to die--he won't participate. I have absolutely NO desire to kill myself in such a way, but at least I'll be in good company.

Jennifer P. said...

aaaawww....NOW I know what's going on :)! I was wondering what all the shin splint talk was about.

SOOO ambitious of you. I can't run since my heart got all messed up. Darn (but not really :) ).


Can't wait to hear how it goes! I'm rooting for you!!!