the reluctant runner.

Posted bycasey coombsPosted inToo lazy to label.

I started running on Saturday.

Which sounds strange because I’ve probably been running since I was a wee tot but when I say ‘I started running’ I mean I have started running on purpose rather than to fulfill  my previous rule of only running away from bears.

Mantra: I'm so excited to be here. I love working out. Running on a treadmill is so much fun. -_-There’s a very good reason why I am running on purpose, but I can’t quite disclose it yet. (DON’T YOU JUST LOVE VAGUE BLOGGING? I sure do.)

Cody is running the Indy Mini for the second year only this year he’s actually been training rather than deciding on Tuesday that he’d kind of like to try running a mini marathon come Saturday. On Friday we went to a swanky running store for people who enjoy running on purpose to get fit with proper shoes, this involved running on a treadmill then watching your feet from behind in slow motion.

The guy who helped us was *super jazzed* about running and everything running involves. When he heard me mutter “I hate running” he looked as though I had just said I hate his mom, his dad, his running shoes and him.  After I explained myself a bit more he suggested I try something new! “Have you tried trail runs? How about outdoor adventure runs! WHAT ABOUT RACES? DO YOU LIKE RUNNING THROUGH FIELDS OF TULIPS? I DO!” I smiled and nodded when the guy behind me piped up and said “Drive somewhere to go run? That’s stupid.”

At this moment? I agree. I have a hard time believing running is something EVERYONE! would love if they just tried a little harder, but I’m keeping an open mind.

Saturday morning. Running shoes on, calves stretched and the ladies appropriately stashed in a very high tech sports bra I faced down a treadmill for the first time with the intent or raising the speed above my preferred 3.7 mph (which is the speed where things get too bouncy for me to be able to read my Kindle.) My pants were too big, so anytime I sped up I feared the treadmill behind me was going to end up with a full moon showing of my rear end. The treadmill had a TV but I didn’t really understand how it worked so I ended up watching Anthony Bourdain eat something with legs still attached, then get his feet manipulated by a small Asian man. Note to the channel that airs Anthony Bourdain’s show, NO ONE WANTS TO SEE UNKEMPT FEET THAT CLOSE. Thank you.

I am not a runner. Maybe I’ll become one but I’m not really holding my breath (especially not while running on a treadmill because  that would end terribly.) I have a local friend in who is a runner, who used to not be a runner, in fact she was a self proclaimed running hater. If she can do all that she’s done with a very similar body type (and really good hair) surely I can too. While I may hate running, I don’t really have anything to base my hate on because I’ve never really given it a 100% effort. My other friend Jennette calls things like this her “Piss-Off Policy” which basically means you give something others suggest an honest to goodness try and f it doesn’t work out, you can tell people to “‘piss off‘ without remorse” at any future suggestions of said activity. The other greatest Casey on the Internet posted a link to this article on Facebook yesterday and JUST YES TO ALL OF IT LET’S ALL QUIT JUDGING EACH OTHER.

I’m going to be giving this whole running thing a good solid effort for at least a month with the hopes that I’ll fall in love with it. If not? I’ve always got my friends at yoga to keep me feeling young and fit.

What’s your favorite workout? Mine quite honestly is dance, but treadmills are easier to find around these parts. (And for those of you who are all “DON’T YOU HIT THE BIG O ON TREADMILLS?” Good for you! You’ve been around since 2008 when that unfortunate incident occurred. And yes. I mean, well. I used to. I’m pretty sure with weight loss my thighs don’t quite produce the same jiggle and friction they used to, so, yeah. That’s kind of thing of the past. And to those of you who think “If treadmills did that to me I’d run all the time!” you are sorely mistaken. I don’t know anyone who would want to hop up and run five miles after having that happen. No, once *that* happens you really just want to take a nap. Not a run.)

56 thoughts on “the reluctant runner.”

      1. @Casey, I go through phases when I love it, phases when I hate it. Mainly I like the being by myself, the music, and the heart cleanse it brings {metaphorically & spiritually}. I also like to push mow though.

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  3. I ran cross country in high school. I loved it. Just being out there running and looking at the scenery and being alone with my thoughts. It was pretty awesome.

    Then I stopped.

    Then I got bronchitis that lasted for three months.

    I have been trying for 12 years to get back into running like I love it. It isn’t easy and it definitely takes at least a month of regular running and that hasn’t been easy for me. I started the Couch to 5K program (AGAIN) a couple weeks ago (then I got a tattoo and had to take a break) and I am determined to finish it. If I can’t find a 5K to run when I’m done, I will run one on the Monon. This time I will be a runner again.

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  4. I wish I could be a runner. I ended up okay with being a fast walker. Then last week I discovered Pi-Yo and am in love. About half way through I think I am going to die but then I get over that hump and love it. It’s only 2x a week so I supplement it with online classes on Yogaglo and it makes me happy.

    Steph

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      1. @Casey, I just saw Rebecca Wolff mention it on Instagram! I think I’d probably like that, too. I definitely do best in a class or gym setting. I need that accountability or I just don’t follow through.

        Steph

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  5. can you make the text bigger on your Kindle? I made the text big on my Nook and I can read even while running at 5.6 on my treadmill! (It’s pretty much the only ready I keep on running!)

    What/Where was this swanky running store to pick out new shoes? I need some new shoes and so far my strategy of picking pretty ones off of Amazon isn’t working out so hot for me!

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    2. @Kelly, Want to hear a terrible first world problem? I read too fast, if I made the text bigger I’d just be turning pages every ten steps.
      Womp.

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  7. I learned to run when I started my weight loss journey. I have kept off 35 lbs by running a few times a week. I never regret it once I get out of the house. I can’t do the treadmill though. Too easy to talk myself out of it and get off quickly.

    Hope you have a good experience. 🙂

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  8. Sometimes I wish I could be a runner. and Then I try and I dislocate my knee in the first ten steps. My knee got really bad last fall and I got to PT and the physical therapist was all like ” I will get you to run again!” and I was all like, “Dude, I never ran in the first place”

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  9. The only exercise I’ve ever really enjoyed besides playing sports and walking the dog is swimming. But it’s just so expensive to join a place with an indoor pool and very time intensive to get a good workout in. My husband wants me to try cycling, but I fear butt cramps from sitting on those tiny seats.
    I’m just full of excuses, aren’t I?
    Good for you for giving running a try.

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    1. @Shannon, My gym has a pool, but here’s another confession, I don’t know how to swim (unless dog paddle counts.)
      Your butt gets used to the seats, and they have lady seats with lady bit cutouts now, I kid you not.

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  10. I am not a runner. Never will be. BUT we have a treadmill at home. And I thought about trying C25K. (even that moved too fast for me…) But I’ve been doing running/walking intervals for 7 weeks now. And I gotta tell ya…it’s like a mild anti-depressant without all them nasty side effects. So in essence…

    I run to manage my depression.

    The cardio is perfect. Having the treadmill at home is convenient. And it’s not like I’m running 30 mins non stop. Right now, I run for 5 mins, walk for 5, run for 5, walk for 5. I built UP to that. I just add a little bit more each week.

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  11. I mowed a few strips of the lawn for the first time about 6 years ago. I have mowed twice since then – each time a bit more. But I will NEVER mow an entire lawn. NOT my thing. Also, this running…It’s in my piss-off category. Mostly because I am awkward and clumsy on my own and running just makes me stumble and fall. I do some elliptical at home, and yoga, stretching, hand weights, and riding my bike. I don’t go the gym. I did that a few times – not really my thing…I am looking at Ballet Beautiful too after hearing Rachel Woolf go one about it on her blog since her twins were born. Also, what is the Dailey Method people are talking about now? I’m not driving from Broad Ripple for an exercise class. But there is a DVD now…I can hang with a DVD. Maybe I should get Zumba for the Wii and do that with my daughter? Ugh – just thinking about all this makes me tired.

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    1. @REK981, If you’re super serious about doing stuff at home, an Xbox with Kinect is where it’s at. It’s SO MUCH FUN and so easy to manage. I feel terrible for my Wii, but after doing Zumba and dance games with the Kinect I can’t go back to the ol’ one handed controller.

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  12. I used to love running, but in the end it was too hard on my knees. I stopped before things got worse. I’ve been doing Bikram Yoga for the last three years and walking.

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  13. I was a runner in middle & HS (5 years). Even broke a middle school track record at the middle school your children will attend in the future. I was always healthy and fit. Then I got struck with Lupus/Myositis 5 years ago. (google it) NOT.FUN. I’ve struggled with so much however I’m not a quitter & unfortunately I can’t be that girl anymore. So I have to say my favorite is just the plain ol’ elliptical with circuit training. I’m too uncoordinated for zumba and any kind of aerobics that I need to remember special words and turns and schtuff! lol! So I just stick with those 2 things!

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    1. @T, I have a friend with lupus/myositis and some days surviving is enough of a workout for her! Zumba is cool because if you just stand in the back and shake your bum no one knows you don’t know what you’re doing. 🙂

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      1. @Casey, Yes, def would have to stay in back row! I did try the Wii version…I ended up improvising to my own beat in the end! ha,ha! 😉

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  15. Oh girl, you are SO inspiring. I ran for a whole summer, then fell off the bandwagon hard. I am slooooowly getting back on. There are days when I hate it (most of them), but it does feel like SUCH an accomplishment most of the time.

    You go girl!

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    1. @ClassyFabSarah, So far there is a feeling of accomplishment at the end, but when does the whole middle part become less terrible? I mean, I don’t die or anything, but it could be better.

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  16. Good luck!

    three years ago i wanted to loose weight and wanted to be a runner but i never thought i was athletic at all. I’d tried and failed to start running many times because i’d start going and then get short of breath and give up. Then my sister
    ( a very experienced runner) gave me the best advice i’ve ever gotten. She told me “just go slow”. so the next day i went out and i was able to go a little further without stopping to walk and i wasn’t so winded that i thought i’d pass out. I actually enjoyed it! i’ve gotten a little faster but on days when i’m tired i “just go slow” and it is so pleasant.

    also, i’ve made the switch to barefoot shoes but that another story that involves yucky toe nails. I will say that making that switch has made running way more fun and involves much less effort.

    we are rooting for you!

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    1. @Connie, I started in barefoot shoes! Unfortunately my ankles were all “OH HELL NO” so I’m taking it slow as well in my well structured padded shoes. 🙂

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    1. @Jen, Those Planet Fitness commercials with the big guy “I pick things up, I put them down.” best gym commercial EVER. Hopefully you’ve seen it.

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  19. Wait I’m confused. You can hit a big O running on a treadmill? I have never heard of this. Or come anywhere close to achieving it. My experience running is counting down the seconds where I can go from running fast to desperately catching my breath until I have to run fast again.

    I’m also beyond curious at why you have to run. I am full of suspicions! Can’t wait for when you reveal the WHY.

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  20. In my experience, which is 6 years of pretty consistent running, whether I love or hate it is all in my head. Period.
    If I am saying that I hate it, the runs are long and awful and my body struggles and I am furious and usually end up walking part of it. If I am saying that I love it, boom – easiest, best, fastest, most fun run EVER.
    Seriously, get your head in the game and (I think) you will be golden.

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    1. @AMY, Also, when it comes to running I live by two mantras – “the only run you regret is the one you don’t do.” And, “I don’t quit because I am tired, I quit because I’m done.”

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  22. You look very much the part. I have loved running for 30 years. The problem is what 30 years of running have done to my body. I’m swimming and cycling a lot. But I’m still a runner in my heart — if not in my joints. Good luck and your joints are still baby joints. Lucky you.

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  23. I hate running. The problem is that running has become the only way I can lose weight. I can’t swim because I dye my hair red and I can’t afford to have my color redone that often. I hate to cycle because doing it for weight loss means going faster and farther than I want to in the city. So I’m back to running this spring. I refuse to wear running clothes though, I look ridiculous in them. So I run in yoga pants and a t-shirt. For every two months I’m running I’m buying myself a new pair of nike Lunarglides. My favorite exercise is hiking, but I live in the city and hiking here isn’t the same.

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  24. I actually really love to run. In fact, I love it so much and so singularly that, now that I’m in my mid-thirties and my back and joints occasionally creak after a long run, I panic and worry about what I’ll do if/when I can’t run any more. But even runners who love running have crappy runs sometimes (I’ve had more than my share lately), and I find those to usually be when I’m just starting out again after a number of days off. Those first ones are always tough. Hang in there, though – the only way to find out if you love it is to get the point where you can run comfortably without stopping for half an hour or so. That’s when the elusive runner’s high kicks in, and that’s what might get you hooked. Good luck!

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  25. Use the runkeeper ap. It tracks your activity and give lots of positive feedback when you hit new milestones. Ive been running since jan and its fun to see my activity from 4 months ago vs now. Know that running is so much more a mental battle than a physical one. Stay determined. You can do it and it does get easier..

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