Run Dan, Run!
I mentioned I started running recently. Its mostly due to the fact that I have quit the gym, due to financial reasons. I used to run reasonably regularly many years ago, particularly in my early 20's. I took part in several 5K and 10K events, and I enjoyed it...
I was starting to get decent times, at my peak I managed a 10K Personal Best of 44 minutes 24 seconds (which is not too shabby). But then university happened, and the Beer and Partying followed. A decade later (God that makes me feel so old) I have decided to try and get back into it. It does feel good to be running again. I dug out an old pair of running shoes, and they don't look too bad...
...until you look underneath at the soles... definitely well used and worn. Oh well I guess I'll get them replaced at some point when I have some spare cash...
Anyway. so I've started running again. I've made sure to take my time with it and ease myself back into exercising regularly. My fitness is a million miles away from those early days. Its too easy to injure yourself by doing too much too soon (a lesson I learnt the hard way!)
Strava Profile - https://www.strava.com/athletes/38890967
This week I went for a run on Monday and then again earlier today. Both of them were over 20 minutes, and both of them used the same route both times. Its a simple 'there and back' route, I simply run in 1 direction for 10 minutes, and then turn around and run home again.
I usually try to do these with a 'negative split'. This means I try to run just a bit faster on the 2nd half compared to the first. This helps to keep me motivated to maintain a steady pace, and also ensures I finish strongly.
Strava Profile - https://www.strava.com/athletes/38890967
I'm a big believer that these training sessions should not be exhausting (not every time at least). If you can imagine a scale from 1-10, where 1 is gentle walking and 10 is maximum effort, I always try to aim for a 7 or 8. A noticeable feeling of having done physical activity, but not training to exhaustion. If I score my exercise as a 5 then I haven't done enough in the workout, and if its a 9 or 10 then I have overdone the training, or there may be an underlying problem such as not enough rest between training sessions.
That is something I am currently missing at the moment: a sense of proprioception, which is 'body awareness'. When I was training regularly I could sense during a run whether I was having a good day or a bad day, just by how it felt during the first 10 minutes. On a good day I might consider upping the pace, or increasing the distance, and on a bad day I would be more mindful, by taking it easier or cutting the session short.
As my running gets back into full swing, I will begin to get that awareness back...
I'm getting used to doing 2 sessions a week, and hopefully I will introduce a 3rd session per week reasonably soon.
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Good decision.
Keep on running!
Thank you! As usual I forget how much I actually enjoy it, almost as a type of moving meditation (as well as cardio benefits of course)
That's a fact. I started 1st year of college playing golf, football and also basketball for the college but it was all gone out the window by the end of that year. There were so many better ways to spend my time than training and playing matches.
Mainly with drinking, partying and women.
That was then and this is now. It's great to go out golfing or play a few friendly games of football during the week for fun. Maintain a healthy level of fitness and enjoy being active. Great to see you doing the same as it is brilliant to get out there and exorcise. It doesn't need expensive gyms or training programs as long as you get up and go you will get better.
Yep, thats the best bit about it. Put on a pair of running shoes and start the stopwatch and head out the front door!
Doing something, no matter how small that may be, is always better than nothing.