Happy Saturday, everyone!!
Today I thought that I would talk about running. As I’ve mentioned before, Brandon and I are currently training for a 10k in September and a half-marathon in November.
Neither one of us have ever really been “runners.” It definitely comes more naturally to Brandon, but he typically prefers lifting weights over cardio. And I always hated running. I would run for 2 minutes (sometimes less) and then have to stop.
Then for some reason (I blame temporary insanity), back in April, I suggested that we sign up to run a 10k together. I thought it would be a good “bonding” experience (of course, we could have bonded over a pot of chocolate fondue, but again… temporary insanity).
After we signed up for the 10k, I started training. But initially, I didn’t really know what I was doing. After only a couple of weeks of running, I ended up running for 6 miles straight. I felt great on that particular day, so I just kept on going.
That “runner’s high” didn’t last too long. I ended up hurting my knees and having to take a couple of weeks off. In the meantime, I started reading A LOT of articles on running. And that’s when I discovered the importance of slowly building up mileage.
Since then, I’ve been more careful and although I’ve experienced some aches and pains, I haven’t had to take more than a couple of days off.
And I’m proud to say that we ran our first 5k in June, and it was a great experience!
So here are just a few articles that I have found to be helpful. I hope they are helpful to some of you as well.
Perfect Timing (when to train, eat, stretch, and do everything to run your best.)
Half Marathon Training Schedule (If you submit your email address, they will email you each week with your schedule for that week.)
Half Marathon Training with Jeff Galloway (He encourages a run/walk method. His big thing is running “injury free,” which is always good in my book!)
Walk Breaks (Galloway’s explanation on the benefits of walk breaks)
I also have to say that although I am really enjoying running, I still question my sanity sometimes. I don’t know if my body is meant to run. It seems like it’s harder for me than other people. I read a lot of blogs, and many of these women are running 8 minute miles (and calling it a “bad day”), while I’m running between 10-11 minute miles and finding that challenging.
I always start out confident. 
And I always feel like something is hurting. My knees, my shins, my feet, my thighs… is it just me?! I know that I overpronate pretty badly. I’ve tried to buy the shoes to help fix this problem, and I constantly try to work on my form. But it is possible that running just isn’t meant for me?
I have no idea where I found this article, but I think it’s a little more controversial than most: No Business Running
She talks about how some people have no business running, because it’s an advanced exercise. She says that most people need to get in shape before running, rather than running to get in shape.
I had already been working out before I started running, so I’m not really saying that that part of article applies to me, but I do think it’s interesting…
She also quotes another guy in part of the article, saying: “To quote Mike Boyle, ‘Women who run successfully for long periods of time were made to run. They look just like men runners. Good female runners generally don’t look like plus-size models. It’s not a question of cause and effect; it’s a question of natural selection. You can’t run to get that cute little runner’s body. It’s actually reversed. You have to have that cute little runner’s body to survive running.’”
I don’t know if I agree with this statement. I’ve seen plenty of people who may weigh more than me on a scale, but they are kicking some major booty running! On the flip side, some may say that I have a “runner’s body”, because I naturally have muscular legs, but I’m the one in the back struggling to keep up!
So that’s my question for ya…
Do you think that some people are more “made” for running than others?
Any other thoughts/opinions on the articles or what I said?
Good for you– training for a race! What made you decide to start with a 10k before a 5k?
Well we actually signed up for the 10k (which is in September) first. I have no idea why. But then as we started training, we decided to sign up for a 5k in June. So we actually ran the 5k in June, then we’ll be doing the 10k in September and the half-marathon in November.
Hope that makes sense haha!
Seriously informative post hun!!!
I love all the articles as i run but i don’t think my body is made for it, lol!
Shin splints are my worst enemy
All your pictures make me smile
Thank you!! Your pictures always make me smile, too (especially the ones of your puppy!)!
Yay for RUNNING! I definitely think you have to enjoy it. If you enjoy it and train smart…your body will come around, but don’t push it!
I agree. I love it, but I just can’t be stubborn and push myself too hard, too fast!
Ladies like yourself have been doing this much longer than I have, so I need to stop comparing myself!! 
Wow, that one article is pretty rough! I see what the author is saying to some degree, but I believe that running is an exercise meant for all. It is an awesome way to burn calories, because you torch more per minute than you do doing other exercises (walking, biking, etc). I do think some people are built for running, but those people are usually your top athletes or Olympians. For the rest of us, running is doable and as long as you go about it in a smart way – proper shoes, starting off slow, using good form, building up your mileage – I think anyone can and should do it.
Also, on the proper form link (which is great), the only thing I would say differently is that you should pretend that you are holding an egg in each hand, so that your hands are loose. I personally don’t touch my fingertips to my palms like the article says. In high school I struggled with keeping my shoulders relaxed and my neck would often hurt. I also had shin splints, but I haven’t had them at all since then. When training for the marathon, on the super long runs (20+ miles) I would take breaks from running on the pavement and hop into the grass for a bit. That definitely helped my knees.
And, one last article that actually says that running helps build up the cartilage in your knees – http://www.hss.edu/newsroom_hss-abc-exercise-helps-build-knee-cartilage.asp interesting food for thought :0).
Sorry I wrote a book
.
No, I love it!! Thank you SO much for all of your thoughts and input!! I had what you said about running like you have an egg (or a potato chip… even better hahaha
) in each hand. And I agree that anyone can be a runner (unless they have a medical condition that prohibits them)… like you said, you just have to be smart and careful about it. But I do think that it’s easier for some people than others. Thanks again!! 
I do think that some people are more meant for running than others… I ran in college, and though I am proud of my PR’s I had friends on the team that were 2-3 minutes faster than me in a 5k. Running in the 17:xx’s! That’s a sub 5:45-pace! As hard as I ever trained, I could never run that fast.
I think the key to improvement in running is to just focus on yourself. I know we hate to be selfish people, but it’s the type of sport where if you improve YOUR time, you have succeeded. Don’t worry about everybody else, just yourself. I’ve told people, I could care less if I won a race; I’d rather take 10 seconds off my PR.
Hang in there, it will get easier and you’ll see improvement! Those people who run easy runs at 8-min pace have probably been running for many many years!
Thank you so much, Sara! Great advice!!
Pingback: 7 Links | Confessions of a (Not-So) Domesticated Newlywed