Yesterday I ran 1.6 miles without stopping to walk or take a break. This is a large accomplishment for me. I started running on August 8th of this year. I just sort of walked out my door with a cheap pair of purple ASICS on my feet and had no idea what I was doing but the timing felt right. I had become burnt out just walking or hiking through my neighborhood. I love my bike but the saddle has never been hospitable and she needs new tires (and gears realistically). A single speed is not practical but I wanted to cool back then. I can’t bear to sell her because she holds some bittersweet memories but I think I’ll know when it is time with that too.
So, all things considered, I’ve been running consistently (3 runs a week) for about three and a half months. It somehow feels longer, which is a good thing since I can’t believe this year is almost over. Slow time is hard to come by the older you get.
My easy pace is 13 to 13:30/mile even though it feels moderately difficult sometimes. If I keep that pace, I can keep my heart rate below 140 bpm for the first part of the run and 160 bpm by the end. I know that number is high but I am told with time and consistent training it will come down as my body adapts. Just running one mile and not feeling like I want to die is a HUGE win.
Running is so dumb though. It is just this silly little thing at the end of the day – moving moderately fast to go nowhere and do nothing but sweat or listen to a silly little book on tape in my silly little moisture-wicking outfit. But as Good Will Hunting once said, when you think about it, it's just as arbitrary as drinking coffee.
I was so hesitant to try running because I thought I had bad knees and thus never saw myself as that kind of athlete (still don’t). But turns out running is good for your knees (I still have some pain but I am working through it) and just because someone else has claimed running to be their thing doesn’t mean I can’t either. I recently watched a few acquaintances and a boy I used to talk to run the Columbus Marathon through social media and thought to myself - if they can do it so can I. I am not below running a marathon although right now I am just aiming to complete a 5k on my own without walking.
The truth is running was a low barrier to entry for me. I didn’t require expensive equipment – just shoes, thrifted shorts and tees, and a new waist belt. I downloaded a free app and decided to not stop even if sucked. It has been difficult – and perhaps a distraction from other difficult things but I wouldn’t be the first person to run away even literally from their worries.
As a Christmas gift to myself, I am going to go into a running store, get a gait analysis, and buy a more expensive pair of running shoes. I’ve proven I can stick with the habit so I think it's worth investing more into it. I think I might upgrade my Apple Watch Series 1 as well.
I want to continue running even during the wintertime here in Ohio. I’ve been paying Planet Fitness treadmill support for the past 2 years, so it's about time I spent some time there. I am unsure if I will race or what will become of this new habit. I want to join a run club but want to get to a spot where I can chat and jog – just not quite there yet.
On the travel horizon, I’ll be visiting my mom for Thanksgiving – and then Palm Springs for a much-needed West Coast interlude again this year.
I still want to move away. I still want to learn the drums. I still want to be a therapist. I haven’t completely given up on my dreams just yet. But the timing must be right, which we all know is code for I need to be less afraid.