Tonight was a sort of non-meeting. The topic was Weight Watchers' Lose for Good campaign. You can read about it on their website, but I don't think it's worth covering here, so I'll talk about something pretty exciting that happened today...
Today William (my awesome co-worker) and I went to the gym at lunch time. Normally I do 35 minutes of cardio on an eliptical/cross trainer type of machine. But today I wanted to challenge myself - I wanted to do something that I had never done and had been considering for some time...
You may not know this about me but I hate running. I have always hated running, since I was a child. And I've never run more than tiny bursts at a time - complaining about it before, during and after. Why have I always hated running so much?
- I used to get terrible ankle pain from the impact (I rarely get this now, I think it went away as a result of the weight loss)
- I get out of breath fast/easily
- I hate feeling things moving/shaking on my body (This is one reason why I love tight clothes. I love to feel 'held in'.)
- My thighs are, and have always been, huge - walking is hard enough!
- My punk rope instructor observed that I am a great sprinter in class. He was right - I do run fast, and well, in short bursts (but I need recovery time).
- Since visiting my allergist earlier this year and realizing the cause of my congestion and how to fix it, I can breathe better than ever. (dust covers for my bedding and a nasal rinse)
- I am still so impressed by my amazing friend Jordana, who I mentioned ran the NYC marathon last year. While I have no intention of ever doing that, I am motivated by her accomplishment.
- My WW receptionist mentioned a race she's doing soon. She told me they have to run 3 miles in 45 minutes. I realized that if I can walk a mile in 17 minutes (my normal pace), I only need to push myself a little faster to hit 15 minutes.
Now, I have always avoided the treadmill for two reasons:
- I walk a lot every day already, very fast, which I do not consider exercise. So I couldn't see the point of walking indoors on a motorized track. I would rather spend my workout time doing something I can't do otherwise.
- Oh yeah, I HATE RUNNING.
And I actually DID IT! In total, I ran at least 10 minutes in the 35. My walking pace was 3.6 - 3.8 (my normal walking speed) and I ran at 5.6 - 5.8 for a minute or so at a time. I felt amazing! Even as I was running, I couldn't believe I was doing it and and was even more surprised that I didn't feel like I was going to die.
That, single handedly, is the most running I have ever done in a single day and I'm so proud of myself. At the end of the 35 minutes, I did 2.5 miles, making my average speed 4.28. That gives me a nice baseline so I can monitor my progress next time. (The only weird thing was that when I got off the treadmill, I felt very strange - a little lightheaded and it felt like I was walking on air. Is that normal? William was concerned for me but I was fine after about 10 minutes. I'm just wondering what that was all about.)
So that was a great victory for me today, and I want to incorporate some interval walking/running as part of my regular routine. Maybe one day I'll even enjoy running. Who knows? Stranger things have happened...
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36 comments:
Hey...I found your blog last week and have been lurking ever since. Loves it! I started WW in January and it has worked very, very well.
I had to comment on this post, just because once upon a time, no one hated running more than me. NO ONE. For all the same reasons you mentioned, of course. I could bike 20 miles in a day, but couldn't even run around my apartment parking lot without getting out of breath. But then, two months ago I was out running with my boyfriend, and he told me to keep my head up. I hadn't been consciously aware of it, but I had been staring at the pavement the whole time. Once I kept my chin up, not only was the scenery more interesting, I discovered I could finally breathe. My poor posture had been cutting off my lungs and limiting my air supply.
So long story long, that completely solved my problem--and now I love running, having worked my way up to 10-minute miles, 6-14 miles per day. Learning to breathe is, I think, the key. (Just a meager $0.02 from a running newbie.) And actually, I've heard doing intervals is even better for you than keeping a static pace...need to try that next.
Congratulations on trying something new! And thanks for keeping such an awesome blog. You have been an inspiration!
Wowza! I HATE running...hate it....HUGE boobs, knee problems in high school and ummm just yech....like you I *always* avoided the treadmill for pretty much the same reasons as you (hate things bouncing, knees hurt, feel like I might hurl, and ugh just G-d why oh why...) but recently I decided to try again (had some failed attempts in the past)...and it felt great!!! I did sort of what you did and worked my way up to bursts of faster paced running (about the same as you)....I have experienced that "walking on air" feeling....its weird -- kind of good, kind of creepy...i've never fainted or anything....I just chalk it up to the "runners high" that you supposedly get....I want to get a Polar Heart rate monitor bc someone recommended them, so I'm saving up...I think it could be quite motivational when on the treadmill or the elliptical
Sheryl, you rock! I love that you're constantly pushing your limits again and again and inspiring us all.
I've always hated running too (big bouncing boobs HURT!), but at the same time I've always had a strange fascination with it. Someday soon it will be my turn to take small doses of running.
PS...About the treadmill thing, I don't have a scientific explanation for it, but I used to get that walking on air feeling too. It's weird and hard to describe, but I think it's the treadmill that does it. Running on pavement doesn't do it for me.
i think the light-headedness is because your body got used to moving without travelling and all of a sudden you're going places. Like when you're on a stationary train and another pulls up next to you and you feel like you're moving.
It's an opitcal illusion.
maybe if you could run on a treadmill surrounded by moving scenery it wouldn't happen, but that's not very likely.
Great work though. Running is not my favourite thing.
Go you! It's funny, I actually was running a few laps today at the gym with my workout partner, and on the last one I got a freaking *painful* side stitch that would not go away. It forced me to slow down even though my legs felt fine and I wasn't really out of breath. My friend has been running a little more than me lately and he told me the only difference between runners and non-runners is practice. I think it's totally true because I used to be able to run a couple miles at a time and feel fine, but that was when I was doing it regularly. So if you practice you probably will get a lot better, and eventually enjoy it.
wahoop! Well in SheryL! That's FAB!!!!!!!!! I always thought I hated running but now I know I can do it I love it! For me it was all about the fear!!!
I'm glad you buzzed off it and you'll WELL meet your challenge!!!! YAAAAAAAY!!!!
love liz xxx
whoo hoo, Sheryl! That is amazing and you should be very proud of taking that new step!
I also hated running, but needed to shake things up with my exercise as walking just wasn't cutting it anymore. At first, I could barely run to the corner! Now, I can run a 5K, at a snail's pace mind you, but I get it done!
Actually, what you did on the treadmill is a high intensity interval training workout which is said to burn mucho calories, too! Yay for you!!!
BTW, you are rocking the white pants, lady!!!
Bravo! Congratulations for conquering your running aversion!! Doesn't that feel fabulous?
I've been following you here for a while because you always have something relevant to say and you say it with humor and intelligence. I recently made a similiar conquest... I started doing sit-ups every day -- at first I oculd only do 30 but I wanted to work my way up to 100, which seemed like the Mount Everest of exercises to me. I gradually worked my way to 70 and then on vacation I thought, "Oh what the heck, let's just go for 100." I DID IT!! I haven't turned back and now I do 150!
Keep up the good work Sweetie!
That's fantastic! I ran/walked on my treadmill last week for the first time in ages, and it felt great! I may even go out this weekend and get a real pair of big girl running shoes to protect my wonky knees. Keep it up!
I too loathed running, and was convinced that I just "wasn't built for it". I started late last year, just before I started WW's but then had a hiatus due to injury until March this year. I didn't find it easy, but I just picked a route outdoors, ran til I was out of breath, walked til I caught my breath and repeated. Yesterday I ran 5k in 30 mins, with hills and only one break to stretch. And it didn't feel horiffic - sometimes it even felt good. Persevere, because it's amazing what our bodies can do, given a little time and effort.
Congratulations on your achievement! You'll be doing marathons in no time, lady :-)
RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RUN!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS AWESOME! Not as awesomea as riding, but the act of being able to do it, is MIND BLOWING. Ever time I run, I am so excited that I did it, its amazing.
Awesome! I used to hate running (and I was on the cross country team in high school, go figure) but I slowly learned to re-love it. I had to start really slow and alternate walking and running but I eventually made it up to being able to run 13 miles! I stopped running for a while so I can't do it anymore, but I enjoy a nice run outside!
This sounds like my first time really running on a treadmill. I was the same way and I always told my sister "Running hurts my butt because it bounces up and down too much." Now, I'm totally addicted. I jog/walk mostly, but I love it. :)
Good for you for branching out and trying something different!
I just recently came across your blog and it's fantastic. :)
Be careful… running can be addicting.
I have never had the weird treadmill thing but have heard of people who have, I wouldn’t worry about it.
Good for you! I thought I hated running, and then one day, just like you, I tried it for a short time. The next day I tried again. And so on and so forth and now I can run 4 miles! I don't go very fast, but I am running! On the treadmill I run at a 4.5-5 with short 30 second sprints up to a 7.5. Of course, I still prefer walking and I often walk on the treadmill and up the incline every minute until I have to run to keep up and then down the incline every minute.
Thanks doll,
The Glamorous Housewife
Years and years and years ago, I used to run daily. Sort of hard to believe, lol. I would say it could be a runner's high.
When I would run for longer times and longer distances, I would even get a little, um shall we say, excited?
Whoa, that should give anyone a reason to run, hahaha!!
Since I moved to a higher altitude from below sea level, I haven't been able to give it a go. I get too frustrated too quickly and give up.
Great job! Keep it up, slow and steady increments are best to build up. =) You are doing so great and such a great inspiration!!!
lpm
congrats on the running!
I only just found your blog, and i'm looking forward to reading more of your posts.
I'm loving how you say you like everything being held in... that's the first thing I felt when I start running (used to loathe it with a passion, now I think I'm in love... or at least in love with trying to do it) i was hoping that maybe if i jiggled and bounced enough, it would eventually just bounce its way right off my body!
great post :)
Hey Sheryl,
I'm still in the early stages of training for a marathon next summer. I ran a 5K last December and have a 10K in 3 weeks and a half-mary in December.
You need Couch to 5K - it would be perfect for you. There's even a podcast you can down load. I followed it back when I was training for the 5K... well, sort of. I wasn't very good at following any sort of routine back then. But it's intervals of running and walking that help you gradually build up to running!
Good luck! I know you can do it!!
I have a blog now for detailing my attempts at marathon training - Marathon-Mommy.
You're an inspiration to us all!
~Tiffany
Oh yeah, I forgot about the needing to be held in part. I used to have to wear two bras...one sports bra and one regular underwire bra underneath. And it was still so uncomfortable!! It's gotten better though, especially since I shrunk from a DD to a B.
...That part kind of sucks, come to think of it.
I am so glad you ventured into the world of running. Wait until you hit 30 minutes on the treadmill. It is divine. There's nothing that makes me feel better first thing in the morning than my 30-minute run. (Well almost nothing.)
That's awesome, Sheryl :)
I just started up with the running on my treadmill last week, doing the whole interval thing. It sounds like you're doing amazingly -- congrats!!
I used to hate running too, but I started on the C25K program and I am running my first 5K on October 4. I am still pretty jiggle-y when I run...but I am still doing it.
I've never experienced the light-headedness thing so I do't have any brilliant advice. I mostly just want to die when I am done.
btw...great blog. very motivating. and funny. thanks!!
Hahahaha, that lightheaded feeling and the feeling that everything is rushing toward you is the ONLY reason I've ever gone on a treadmill. I've always hated the thing and still so, but the bottom line is that it is nothing to worry about. What I think it is is that you have been walking/running for 10 min. without the scenery passing you by. When you get off of the treadmill, all of a sudden, your surroundings reflect your change in location.
I have been an avid hater of exercise since childhood. I signed up to walk a 10k in May (the Flying Pig in Cincinnati), and ran all of the downhill parts just because I felt like I could (still not sure what got into me!!!). I've been running ever since, and have worked my way up to running 6 miles without stopping to walk at all! I'm so excited with my results. A friend and I (as well as a few other bloggers) have signed up to RUN the Disney Princess Half Marathon March 7th. So I have to magically work my way up to 13.1 miles by then. Maybe the magic of Disney will kick in and give me that last little bit of oomph I need to cross the finish line! lol
Forgot to say, that lightheaded feeling was totally normal for me when I first started running. I still feel that way when running on a hot day or going up steep hills.
woo-hoo!! I'm so happy for you! I started running in March and it's been such a lifesaver for me. I never thought of myself as a runner either, despite being athletic my whole life. I never saw myself running distances or anything, and although I would run on the treadmill for a bit to get my heartrate up, I hated it.
But one day, I decided I wanted to run outside. I wanted to run in a local 5k, and I started running with a friend. And I realized that running outside is a world apart from running indoors. It's also a world apart from running around aimlessly on a track, in endless cycles, but that's another story.
So, I'm still running these days, my next race is a 5k on 9/13 for breast cancer research at central park.
Long story short - that runner's high is so real, so invigorating, and it has kept me sane through much stress over the year! I hope you stick with it!
love the blog, keep up the great work, you're such an inspiration!!!
LOVE your post!
My husband just stated maybe it's "lack of resistance" I know exactly what you are taking about and that happens to me too. That's why you have to be very careful when getting off the treadmill so you don't collapse! :)
Keep it up!
congrats on the running! i love to run, but it's hard to keep steady, and i feel totally foolish like a nanosecond into it.
i've had the lightheadedness sometimes in the gym. i get this rubber-leg feeling too. for me i think it has to do with my breathing. sometimes when i take huge breaths (i.e. during physical activity of most kinds lol) i get hyperventilated and have to concentrate on breathing deep and even instead of big gulps of air.
I can *so* relate! I too hate running. It's miserable stuff. My husband of course, runs 3 times a week and has been pestering me (in a good way- he knows I have goals and knows running will help me reach them) for years to give it a try. I've tried intervals in the past but never stuck with it long enough to make much progress. In the past few months though, I finally sucked it up and have been giving it a go. I am still doing only intervals, but in 30 minutes on the treadmill I spend more than half that time running! It really is the best cardio workout I get short of my step class. I have never been so sweaty as I get from running. I feel pretty gross from it, but I can tell it's making a difference. This may very well be the little extra push you need to get past your plateau!
The lightheaded thing is totally normal. I think it's just from transitioning from moving so fast while not really covering any ground to walking around the gym. It's a funny feeling but one I now associate with a good workout!
I hope to one day be able to run for a straight 30 minutes. It would be a huge accomplishment for me!
I love running! I need to take it up again since the weather should start making it possible again. That lightheaded thing? You got a runner's high! I used to get that all the time, and I loved and lived for it!
Hi! My mom found your blog (she has also lost a lot of weight on Weight Watchers) and she loves it and told me I have to read it because you're hilarious (and you are!)... At any rate, I too used to hate running but have come to love it. I'm so happy to hear that you gave it a try and enjoyed it so much. I hope you stick with it. Just remember that it should be FUN (a lot of people can get quite obsessive about it) and don't compare yourself to other people. Also, it is totally normally to feel weird when you get off the treadmill - happens to me every single time. You've been walking but not moving; and then suddenly you're walking AND moving and I think it must throw your inner ear off or something. Anyway, keep at it!
I ran for a while until I seriously messed up my knee and couldn't work out for 2+ weeks, very frustrating! So my body only likes when I do shorter spurts and it really likes the elliptical, but it is a great accomplishment and if your body likes it, that's wonderful! It gives you something else to bring into the mix. :) Congrats!!!
Excellent work!!! I used to HATE running - and thought for a long long time always have always will!!! But have started doing intervals a while ago and have worked up to quite fast and long runs. Just thought I'd let you in on an iPhone/ IPod touch app that I love and I know you have one so you might find it useful. It's called couch to 5k and works on an interval principle it's quite cheap also.
Have fun with or without the app.
xx
I have never been a runner before, either, but recently I had an ah-ha! moment, much like the day I just decided I was going to join WW, that maybe I'll learn to run! I found the Couch-to-5k program and am on week 3 now. But from Week 1, Day 1, I had many of the same surprised feelings you had -- I'm actually doing this? I don't feel like I'm dying? Wait... I kind of LIKE this! It's tough, but I actually believe I'll succeed, and that's nice. Obviously you're no couch potato, but for a non-runner, it's a good interval program to get you to the point of being able to run for some distance/time.
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
I used to run before I had my surgery, and it was awful, trudging along. Now I can run with the group and I know that when I start our run club, I can finish it. It's a great feeling!
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