Run, just because…
So, I’m a runner. All my friends know I’m a runner. My family knows I’m a runner. My co-workers also know I am runner.
As you can imagine, this always leads to conversations. Has led to the questions “Why do you run?” and “I want to, so how do I start?”
Everybody has their own reasons as to why? I’ll just tell you how I started. Since, I don’t claim to be a pro or know anything about training, I suggest you get various perspectives and develop your own start up guide. Read articles written by pros and by amatures too. I find sometimes pros are a little too heady. I’m just going to stick to the common sense (to me!) basics.
Let’s start with a personal analysis. Be critically honest. Look at your life style and judge your level of health and fitness. It’s obvious to state that you should see a Physician prior to really doing any real exercise.
Start with simple questions.
When was the last time I was active? By this I mean truly active and for a sustained duration of time, ie., days, months or years and the type of workout you did. The last time you went for a “hike” does not count. Face it! If you are asking this question, (more than likely) you are not the type of hiker that has the habit of sweating, scrambling up the side of mountains. If you are the type of person who says “I use to play... (insert your sport)!” but that was ten years ago, sorry, that was another person. Not the “you” that you are today. By that same train of thought, if you were a smoker, have changed your diet dramatically for the better, well you might be in better shape than you think.
What shape is my body? Can I touch my toes? Do my arms and legs move in a range of speeds habitually? Do I have pains aches in places that I didn’t really know existed? Do I make old people noises whenever I get off the couch?
I work with a variety of people, some that are and look like fashion models. Some of the ones that look great are in bad shape. They lack muscle mass and they have no aerobic stamina. Conversely, I know a lot of skinny and large people who would kick my ass in a number of activities! Where do you fit?
How does my life style contribute to my health? For example, what is your diet like? How much food do you eat, when and type? How much time do you spend in a non-active position? Do you have time to exercise? Why do you want to run?
Me, well I’m lucky! I (was) am a “petite” to average sized man, who has been active all my life. I spend most of my 14hr workday on my feet moving all the time and I get fed all the time.
I was getting older and eating horribly. My pant size had increased by a few sizes and at some point or another I had been a smoker.
Ironically, I took up running and weight training to improve my rock climbing until I dislocated my shoulder doing weights and ending my rock climbing adventures. Luckily, I could continue the running.
Running is a different type of sport, it’s usually not fun. Not like tennis or soccer. It is challenging.
Although I was fairly active, not overly over weight, the first time I went running was fairly discouraging. I could only run a few blocks. I have an aggressive personality. This means that everything I start, I dive into it. You should go slowly! Not fast and not slow, just comfortable. Jog a short distance and if you feel good go further, keep it up until you can’t. Push it a little bit. Soon you will be able to run! Ask any runner, there is a difference between jogging and running.
The good part about running was that the improvement curve was fast. Obviously, the more you run the better you will be and the better you will feel about pushing it every time you run. If you do not sweating, then maybe running isn’t for you.
I started to increase my distances and time. A few blocks, then ten minutes increased to fifteen minutes within a couple of runs. Soon I was enjoying quick 5k to 7k runs in no time. Still, this was a challenge none the less. I didn’t really have a way to track my progress. However, I did own a watch and I do know how to read a map. All the calculations were estimates. This went on for a few seasons, never continually, always staring over again when the mood set back. Some runners don’t bother to even get out of bed to run a 10k. To us, mere mortals, it will be a challenge until you get there.
My first real season and run was about seven years ago. I had moved to the 905 and was bored out of my mind. I had been back at running for a few weeks and decided to run the SportingLife 10k. I didn’t really know whether I could complete the race because I still did not really track my progress nor did I really care.
Two days prior to the race I picked up my race kit and that was intimidating.
I ran the race and completed it at a very modest 59:24. I was just glad I made it without a stop or walking. The next day I bought my first chronometer watch. Since, then I have run the race every year and my time has improved every time. Last time I ran it in 43:20… hung over stopping only once to..! I did say I was not a pro!
This year I’m hoping to get an even better time.
I don’t really like technical wear, although some jackets are nice for everyday wear. As a friend once mentioned, “Dry-fit is for Zombies!” Some people are gear whores and use new gear to fuel their workouts. Go ahead if that’s you but it gets expensive. I personally use dark chocolate as my fuel. To start you need good running shoes, a good pair of socks and some will. That’s all.
As your running turns into an addiction (and it will!), your gear and requirements will change.
My beginner’s gear list was.
- A pair of Asics Cumulus II-Gel running shoes that were purchased under advice at the Running Room. I ran in the same model shoe for a few seasons, until they wrecked the model by ‘improving’ it!
- A homemade sleeveless cotton t-shirt that I had lying around.
- My Sony disk-man, I still have it. Now I’m an iPod guy.
- Wig-wam running socks from MEC, I’ve tried a few socks, I like these best.
- A pair of soccer shorts.
- A baseball cap.
- A watch
You do not need a belt to carry little bottles on, even if you do manage to run 10k on your first run, you will not die from dehydration! You do not need a heart rate monitor, maybe later. You do not need fancy tights and matching jerseys with logos. You will only look like a fancy sausage that is sponsored to look dorky!
1st time “guide”.
Buy your shoes. A pair that is, good, suited for running short distances and you. You might have a pair that are clean and look like running shoes but they are not. Look at the soles. If the heel is worn to an angle not that of the manufactured angle they are not good, no matter how clean they are. Use these shoes only for running or else they will end up like your old shoes much quicker than you want them to.
Go home. Program some good fast paced music on your music player. I find disco is good. You might not listen to the music you exercise to but really? If you are a Lilith Fair fan, that applies to you. Throw some loose shorts on. Then add old t-shirt.
Do not stretch too much! Just loosen joints and muscles a bit by rotating, moving and lifting. Gently, roll your ankles, shoulders, torso, swing arms and lift thighs to your chest. Only a few seconds for each part, then, run.
On your first route stay close to home. I still run near the subway line, in case I get somewhere and run out of juice. When you run out of juice slow down and head for home.
When you get back take of your shoes and put them away. Hydrate. Feel proud that you got out and did it! Then do it again the next day even if the weather isn’t great. Repeat. Start to read running literature, about technique, injuries and how to prevent it, diet and join a “race”. Set that as your goal. Pay for it because it is more than likely you’ll stick to the plan. A nice race is the SportingLife 10k, it runs down Yonge St. Fast, fun and easy!
Good luck... I’ll start my next step soon. It includes changes to your diet and the days prior to the “race”.
Ttys.
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