make running a regular part of my life

1. I’ve lost weight. Just 2 weeks and I can fit into a pair of jeans I bought 6 months ago even though they were slightly too small, because they’re hot. Now I don’t look like an over-stuffed sausage in them! Hooray!

2. I feel more powerful. Physical power, mental power, I’m just stronger all round. Hell yeah.

The route I run is town a long gravel back street and back, because it’s the only part of my neighbourhood that I can avoid running on cement, which is terrible for your joints. A few days ago I reached my first big goal of running all the way to the end of that track. Now I’m trying to work my way up to running to the end and back. It’s funny that the focus has shifted from my breathing being the painful factor to overcome, to it being muscle fatigue, now that I’m running solidly. Don’t get me wrong, it still takes a level of re-directing thoughts so I don’t pay too much attention to my breathlessness, but it’s become something that I can view from a distance. It doesn’t control me anymore.

Once I get to the point that I can run the full route without stopping, I’m going to up the frequency of my runs from every second day, to two days on, one day off. Still feel that it’s important to take this gradually and allow my legs to become stronger, because I’ve had problems with my knees and shins in the past. I want to grow strong in a slow, steady, successful manner.

Wow, this finally feels like I’m becoming the person I always thought I was, on the inside. Someone to be proud of.

Today I feel so proud of myself I could kiss myself. My day started out a bit down. The job I had recently started was getting me down- quite simply, it’s beneath me, and yet the boss tries to make me feel underskilled in order to pay me less. Different issue, anyway. I’m dealing with it, don’t plan to stay in that job much longer.

Anyway, the point is, I felt terrible, managed to pull myself out of bed early, but couldn’t bring myself to go for a run. Decided I would go after work (but I’m not sure if I really believed that). So I got home at 7.30, exhausted, but forced myself to go, and wow wow wow! I ran a whole 5 minute stretch without stopping! Unbeleivable how much my fitness has improved in less than 2 weeks. Freaking brilliant! Yeah yeah yeah!

how to describe the kind of exhaustion I feel after going for a run in the morning. It’s exactly the same feeling I get as after a really big emotional cry. And this weird post-cry feeling lasts the entire day after running. And not even coffee helps. I can have physical energy, but I still feel this kind of spent-ness. How long will it take before this doesn’t happen anymore? Anyone had a similar experience?

So I forced myself out on that run and I was pleasantly surprised. There was a noticable difference in the length I could run before stopping, and my recovery time was also a fair bit quicker. I have also noticed that now that I’m home I feel less wiped out by the entire experience. Still find my legs feeling a bit weak when I get up, but far closer to normal. I’ve been told that eventually you actually have more energy after a run than you did before. Looking forward to that with great anticipation ;)

Probably because my diet yesterday was a bit less nutritious than I’m used to. I’m feeling a bit doped up. But I’m determined to do this. So I may start a list of reasons why running is a non-negotiable part of my life, to up by motivation a bit.

1. Physical strength. I love the feeling of being able to spend a whole day walking around at fast pace and feel good about it. Walked up stairs with only the slightest feeling of exertion.

2. Great Skin. Running stirs up all the crap that causes bad skin, and allows it to flush out of my body. = bad skin. I can already see a difference after just over a week.

3. Health. I keep this image in my mind of me at 60 or 70, strong and healthy, and full of energy. I want to be one of those people who keep their zest for life as they age. You can see a dramatic difference in people- a spark in their eyes, and some damn cut muscles (even if the skin covering them is a bit on the saggy side…). Being fit will enable me to lead my best life.

4. It’s not really a huge time commitment, so why wouldn’t I??

Okay, that’s enough for now, still feeling a bit doped up, but keen to make today a much better day than yesterday!

So finally managed to eliminate that crazy pain. Drank a pile of water before I set out, warmed up properly, and tried not to push myself too much, which ironically allowed me to push myself further, because I didn’t have to hobble home after 15 minutes with stomach cramps.

I’m slowly creeping my alarm earlier and early. By 10-15 minute increments, depending on how brave I feel. I’m a major morning wuss, but I know that the only way running will be a regular part of my life is if I get it out of the way first thing in the morning. Evening has too much space for rationalisation and fatigue.

Yay yay yay.

Did it. Though I think maybe I’m not warming up enough because I’m getting some killer lower abdomen pain. Feels like bad period pain. Kind of frustrating that even when my lungs are ready for the next bout of running, my gut keeps me walking.

My next run is Wednesday. I’m going to make sure I a) drink a lot of water about half an hour before (apparently this kind of pain can be caused by dehydration. I was scared of getting a stitch, but ended up getting something worse. Doh)
b) Walk for 5 solid minutes before I start running. At the moment the weather is really cold, I think that the shock of cold air into the lungs might be aggravating the problem.
c) Stretch well before setting out.

Hopefully next time will be relatively pain free…

And I’m about to run again. Currently nursing my coffee in a more or less functional state, which is lovely. And the sun is shining, which makes things a bit nicer too. It was raining yesterday. Still did it though. (I can’t believe I ran in the rain! It made me feel really committed to this goal. Hardcore.)

I want to be one of those people who get up early to go for a run before work. But such unholy hours! I’m NOT a morning person, at all. But can I turn myself into one?

I’m going to start simply by getting up earlier than I need to, without the pressure of actually running. When I’m comfortable with rising with the birds, I’ll force myself to run, rather than nursing my coffee in a near comatose state…

I think, for this goal to qualify as achieved, i need to run at least 3 times a week, for 3 months. By then, it should be a habit in my life.

But I’ve tried before. And kind of petered off. How do I keep the motivation up?