Zero to 3.35

Tuesday 2/28 Workout:  Run on treadmill 3.35 miles @ 37:58 1.0 incline

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Have you ever had a run that just flew by? A run that you truly enjoyed? A run where you felt like you could run… forever?

Well, I’ve never had one of those types of runs… until tonight. And it was on the treadmill to boot.  I wouldn’t say I could have run forever, but I felt like I could have run more than I did, but I had to pick up the dog from daycare before they closed because Tonto waits for NO ONE.  I ran 3.35 miles in 38 minutes, which included 7 minutes of walking to warm up and cool down.  This was a milestone for me.

On Sunday, I really struggled with my run and had a longggg moment of self-doubt.  I began to doubt how I was ever going to run further than 3 “measly” miles.  After a pep talk with my virtual running group, my Turtle friends, I realized that my problem was I beat myself up too much over my pace.  I can run a 10:20 minute pace outside, so why can’t I do it on a hamster wheel with the tread pulling me along? Well, there’s the whole running in place, with no scenery, in a humid and smelly gym thing….

So I decided my goal today was a) to run b) at a slower pace and c) not complain about it.

I am not a natural runner like a lot of other runners.  Running, for me, is HARD.  I have asthma.  My legs are short,which makes my stride shorter, which ultimately makes running shorter distances harder for me.  Running hurts my knees unless I do exercises 3x a week to strengthen my leg muscles.  I have to try really hard to keep up my endurance, otherwise I can lose it in as quickly as 2-3 weeks.  I’m not one of those people who can take a 2 week hiatus from running and pick up where I left off.  Running is not natural or easy for me, but I think this is also why I love running so much — to push myself beyond the limits I thought I had.

I am proud of myself today.  I met and surpassed my goal.  I watched as people came and went on the treadmill next to me, as others stood and waited next to me for my treadmill, and I watched them walk away annoyed that I wasn’t done with my workout yet.  (How dare I work out for as long as I wish!)

I couldn’t help but be proud of myself tonight, and I hope that this is a sign of good things to come.