Return to the Run

Running is NOT my favorite activity. Growing up with athsma I had always tried to avoid running so my relationship with the pavement has only been going on for about 5 years. I run about a 10 minute mile which I consider to be slow since my BFF and running partner is like a gazelle. I enjoy running with her because while she is faster than me she forces me to push the pace and challenge myself. At the same time it is very disheartening to always be behind and know that I will never catch up to her.

In April I trained for and ran my first half-marathon with her. I had told myself I wouldn't enter a half-marathon unless I knew I could run the entire length so it was quite a challenge. Below is a picture of us at the finish of 13.1 miles.

After the race I was completely burnt out on running and my body was starting to rebel with these stabbing pains in my knees everytime I tried to walk up or down the stairs for about a week after the race. I put my running shoes aside and started focusing on my Bikram Yoga practice, one of my favorite activities but that is for a later blog. This past weekend after a 2 month hiatus I decided to pull my running shoes out of the back of my closet, dig my ultra bounce proof sports bra out of the drawer (seriously, this thing holds the girls in place), and strap on my Nike+ to go for a brief run while the weather was still cooperating. I set my goal for 30 minutes and took off. Things were going well for the first 10 minutes when my knee started bothering me again. Not being one to give up on a goal I pushed through the pain and felt pretty good at the end, although I was disapointed in the decline of my stamina. I suppose I will have to keep an eye on my knee and slowly work back into it, one 30 minute jog at a time.

Pros and Cons of running:
Pros

• More or less it's free. All you need is a pair of sneakers (preferably Nike's but I'm biased being from the Northwest)
• You can do it anywhere. Rain or shine (although shine is preferred), in California or New York, morning or evening; you can always find a place to hit the pavement for a short amount of time. Even if you just end up running around the block several times.
• Great cardiovascular workout. Helps get your blood pumping and gives you a runners 'high' that leads to better choices throughout your day.
• I have a friend who swears that after trying everything the only way she could minimize her booty was by running, she says she literally ran her butt off.

Cons

• The constant pounding on the pavement is really hard on your joints, especially knees.
• It can be very repetitive. If you don't have something to distract yourself with you can burn out easily.
• Since it is usually an individual activity there is no one else to hold you accountable for your workout and it is easy to cheat; not go as fast/hard as you can, run for a shorter distance.
• Weather can be inclimental and often an excuse for not completing a planned workout