So, I've been running...

2.23.2012


Last week, I mentioned a goal of mine was to run every day for 7 days. 

I feel I should be honest with you, though, and admit my failure: I only ran for 6 days.  Saturday--Thursday. Boo.

Wednesday was definitely the worst of my six runs. First of all because I went running with a coworker, someone I'd never run with before. (Side note: over the past few years I've learned that finding a running partner is comparable to finding a boyfriend. That's a whole post of its own, but seriously, is it just me?)

This coworker was faster than me--that much was obvious from the start; but I didn't want to look like a slow, lame moron, so I tried my best to keep up. My intense desire to not look foolish and slow coupled with the crazy Oklahoma wind that was blowing directly at us for the first three miles coupled with the hills coupled with the fact that I'd been running for the last 4 days straight equaled me averaging a full minute per mile slower than I have in a long time.

It was seriously depressing, but I tried to keep in mind that some runs were going to be better than others and the important thing was to not give up completely. 

Still, I did learn something important from my goal to run every day for a week, namely: this is not a goal I will ever attempt again.

It's good to be able to recognize this type of thing lest I be tempted to sign myself up for something so unnecessary ever again.

Running six days straight made me more tired, more hungry, and more thirsty than I knew I could be. It also made me slower in general, which is the exact opposite of my goal for my third half marathon in April. (It also forced me to take a daily shower, but my hatred for showers is entirely beside the point.)

I started running consistently in April of 2010 in preparation for my first half marathon. It was something that had always been on my bucket list but was honestly never anything I actually thought I would be able to do. Now, almost 2 years later, I'm still running 2-3 times a week, and I actually miss running when I haven't gone in 4 or 5 days. 

I probably sound insane right now, but it's true.

All that to say, I think I'm finally starting to see myself as a runner. When half the Christmas list I passed out to my family included "running stuff," and I got a collection of leggings, headbands, socks, and dry-fit gloves, it hit me that maybe this is a legitimate hobby of mine.

This Saturday I'm running in a 10k (6.2 miles) with my dad, and in a few months I will be running my third half marathon (my goal is to run it in under 2 hours, but we'll see). And then after that, I don't know...maybe a full marathon? Again, we'll see.

But I've been running, at least. Just not every single day. That's only for crazy people. 
Caitlin said...

You should check out this guy's story: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904199404576538782952722572.html Ran every day for 40 years!

Katie Dupre said...

John at Red Coyote says that if you are trying to increase the distance or difficulty of your runs, you should always give yourself at least one day to recover in between. Otherwise your muscles start breaking down or something. So really you should be running four times a week at most. According to John at Red Coyote.

Amanda said...

Caitlin, that's insane! I had no idea. Clearly I would not be a good candidate for this kind of thing :) My cousin is actually trying to run every day for a year. I think he's on day 200 something.

Katie, I think I will trust John at Red Coyote. He sounds reliable, and my recent experience would show that a break in-between runs is necessary.

Patrice said...

running is something that will never be on my to do list!

Amy Nielson said...

i am a big believer in giving your body breaks. slow & steady wins the race... trying to run everyday is a recipe for burn out in my book! but good for you for giving it a go. and YES. finding a running partner is so hard. i generally hate running with other people b/c they so rarely match your pace. but when you do, it's great to have the company!

Nancy E said...

OK - I love this post. HA! Great job sticking to your goals. Running every day is truly not easy. This is the first time in my life I have tried a streak -- and I am going to hit 100 days tomorrow!
Signed: Crazy person :)

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