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Running Breakthrough - A Lover's Story

‎08-09-2018 13:49

‎08-09-2018 13:49

I have been running on and off my entire life. I have loved running, and I have hated running. When I love running I really love running, but when I hate running, I really hate running.

 

I have been hating running for the last few months. Running is HARD! Running is harder when I carry extra weight, the extra pounds just have a way to really make me hate running. Running is also harder if I have been slacking. I was training for a half marathon at this time last year, and by end of fall, I had burned out...I was loving running a bit more than my body could handle (and a few other medical things were going on). After giving my body a complete rest for about 6 months, getting back to running is HARD!!! Oh and lastly running while restricting calories is just insanity!!! Who makes running harder by not feeding her body enough calories to sustain it...I had been hating on the whole running thing for a while now, but looking for my love to return, like I know it always does...Me and running, we were going through a tough part in our relationship. I ran with my calorie deficient body and it gave me no love...but I kept slowly running (mostly walking) and keeping the flame lit by doing as much (as little) as I could just to keep it alive. I know if I take it slow I will fall in love with running again, like the hundred of times before.

 

Then, BAM! out of nowhere this morning, I ran for 50 minutes at a slow (turtle) pace and felt the rush of love for this insane sport come back and flood every cell in my body...ahhh, I love Running!!! My run this morning was effortless for the first time since last year, almost easy, for the exception of all of the sweat pouring off my slimmer body, I would have thought I was just out for a leisurely stroll...People will say, running is easy, just slow down. Don't believe them...there is no slow enough in the beginning, walking is running slow in the beginning. No amount of running feels good if I carry extra weight, am at a deficit, or have not ran in a few months...no love, nope, only hate. But one day, the love returns, and that is what keeps me chasing after running 🙂

Best Answer
4 REPLIES 4

‎08-10-2018 02:16

‎08-10-2018 02:16

@lavabelle,

 

I think this is the most inspiring thing I've ever read about running.

My Trendweight

Best Answer

‎08-10-2018 05:26

In response to GershonSurge

‎08-10-2018 05:26

Thanks for that very sweet comment @GershonSurge warmed my heart 🙂

Best Answer

‎08-15-2018 09:37

‎08-15-2018 09:37

@lavabelle  More than 30 years ago I started to become a runner.  I was never a runner in high school and never loved running.  As a Physical Therapist working in Rehab, I saw patients who had suffered a stroke or heart attack, they all had one thing in common, a sedentary life style and poor eating habits.  Fear is a great motivator so I started to run.  A ran around a boulevard that was 1 mile around with a goal of completing the circuit without stopping to walk.  It was a struggle, it took 2 weeks to make it half way around without stopping and another week to finally make the circuit without stopping.  That one mile mark seemed to be my mental block, once that was passed I kept extending my run farther each day.  When I could do the circuit 3 times without stopping I got bored and took to the roads around my neighborhood increasing my weekly mileage about 10% each week, I was hooked!  The endorphins and enkephalins kicked in and I was on my way to running 7 miles everyday for over 25 years along with numerous 10K's, half marathons and 2 Marathons.  The 1 mile mark was both a mental block and a motivator that is still with me today.  I know longer run but I work out 5 days a week alternating between an elliptical, rower and stationary bike for the same 45 minutes that my runs lasted.  If I had never reached my goal of running 1 mile without stopping I would hate to see my physical shape today.  Good luck, keep running and have fun!

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‎08-15-2018 10:44

In response to Corney

‎08-15-2018 10:44

@Corney thanks so much for sharing your story! There really is a threshold that once you cross you can really enjoy an activity. I believe this is the case with every activity you chose to do. Once you get pass that threshold, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks and you are hooked. Keeping my fitness level is probably one of my struggles. If I stop running and it gets hard again, it's really difficult to get going again. I get overwhelmed with the load...I look forward to being a forever runner this time 🙂 

 

I also noticed this time around I really need to do some kind of activity daily, stopping for even one day seems to mess with my routine...so maybe the key is to do something daily...forever... 🙂

 

I have been really enjoying my daily walks and runs every second day, really enjoying! I might add a short run daily just to keep the habit easier. Running 20 minutes plus walking everyday. and making my run portion a bit longer every second day, 45-60 minutes, and see where that takes me 🙂

 

Thanks again for sharing!

Best Answer