How I Stopped Hating the Sport of Running
I have always hated running! Always!
I hated running in elementary school. I hated it in junior high. And I really hated in it high school gym. Over the years, I have tried to “like” the sport of running. I admire runners. I admire most athletes. And athletic is not one of my personal qualities.
Ten years ago, my children and husband talked me into trying the sport of Tae Kwon Do. I hated that too. But I stuck with it because my family insisted I keep trying. Eventually, I became a black belt. (It’s not that impressive)
It’s now 2018. It has been a year of change! We experienced five deaths in the first two months of the year. One of them was my father-in-law. I traveled to the Philippines which was my first international trip ever. And my daughter graduated from high school.
All of this change brought on a need for a stress outlet. And I started (speed) walking again. I started walking twice a week and gradually increased it to four times a week. Then I decided that I wanted to try running again. I slowly added 30-second run bursts to my speed walking routine. After a few days, I decided I still hated running. (insert sad face)
I hated the burning sensation in my lungs and chest. I hated that my feet, hips, neck, and shoulders hurt when I ran. I hated that everything hurt! Ugh. It was the pain in my neck and shoulders that got me thinking. Maybe I was running incorrectly? Maybe that’s why I hate it so much.
I did some research on correct running form and made adjustments. I bought a better pair of shoes. I found some music and podcasts that I really enjoyed. And I tried again.
I have been running for a month now. I started with 30-second run bursts scattered throughout my 1.5-mile speed walk. I am now running/speed walking 4 times a week. Half a mile of running and 2.5 miles of speed walking. Eventually, I will be able to run the full three miles. But, for now, I am learning to enjoy running.
I am beginning to look forward to my mornings when I run. I am up before the rest of the house and most of the world. And I finally see why people enjoy the sport of running.
My dog got me started running. The pain was great incentive for me as well to do some research and learn some technique. Oh. . . and to buy the right equipment! Excellent running shoes was a huge breakthrough. Our dog, a rescued border collie, was very happy. I shed 20+ pounds and stayed there, and much of my asthma and COPD issues mostly went away.
When Lucky Dog got old, our runs became walks again. Those walks, while precious, became shorter and shorter, as I put the pounds and ailments back on. Lucky Dog is gone, and I’m right back where I started.
The lesson from this episode of my life is that my dog had much more self-discipline than I do.
Pete. . .
Thanks for sharing your story! It has improved my asthma greatly along with eliminating dairy & wheat.