I havn't posted in almost a week, because I have something I need to say but don't wan't to say. I'm ashamed about this but I need to just come out and say it.
I have decided to be a walker for a while. I am really having a hard time with the run/walk. It's to the point where it is unenjoyable and I really almost hate it. I don't know if it's the weather being so hot/humid, or the amount of extra weight that I'm carrying, but I just really am not adjusting to it. My knees hurt every time I run. I can't breathe. I really am starting to hate it.
About 4 or 5 years ago, I did a run/walk program and it was really easy to go from one step to the next each week. It was fun. I really looked forward to it and enjoyed seeing my progress. Other than the obvious, (I am 38 and not 32 this time) the only 2 differences in now and then are (1) I weighed about 180 then, and (2) it was March when I began, and not August.
I am very sad about this because I look at it as a BIG BIG BIG failure. I still have a goal of completing a half-marathon, and I AM going to do it. I am just tweaking things a little bit right now. I think that if I walk for a while...until the weather is cooler, or until I drop about 15 or 20 pounds, I might ease into running much easier since I will have been walking all of that time.
I walked today and it was very fun. I walked 3 miles. I normally walk/run 2 miles. It took me about 48 minutes. Actually, that's about how long it would take me to run/walk it anyway, because it takes me 30 minutes to run/walk 2 miles.
Anyway, that's it for today.
Thanks for being a great listner,
Victoria
10 comments:
If your knees are hurting, then you need to take some time to let them heal. Don't look at this as a failure. It is a good lesson to learn. You should not hurt nor get out of breath when you run, so make whatever adjustments you need to. NEVER GIVE UP!!
If you say "failure" one more time, I am going to personally come down there and bop you in the head.
This is simply an adjustment to your race strategy. Focus on getting the distance in on your walks, biking and dropping some pounds. Take it easy for this half marathon.
Then, when you go for your second half mary, you'll be ready to rock and re-introduce running into the mix.
You're attempting something that 99% of the population won't even try. And that...right there...taking that initial step...equates to success. Don't be so hard on yourself sweetie. Remember, this should be fun.
Just promise me that you won't say "failure" anymore...mmk?
Remember you are still burning the same ammount of calories as you would do if you jogged. Thats a fact.
Keep it going and well done.
You walk, you run, you crawl, the imporatnt thing is you get out there and move. Running is not the only way to get healthy and stay in shape. My cousin recently lost over 100lbs over the course of a year after she was diagnosed with MS by walking. She never ran a step and now she looks and feels great!
Remember, running is not for everyone, you have to figure out what you will enjoy doing and what will get you out there. If walking is what works for you, then it sounds like a success to me.
And look at it this way, when everyone else is injured from all that hard pounding, you'll just be getting warmed up!
Hi Victoria,
Looks like the consensus is Walking Is Great! I starting power walking several years ago (10) and lost about 25 pounds in the process. OK it does take a little longer than running, but you can still produce good results from it. I also have a treadmill- very boring but I can add hills for a good workout. Yes it does burn the same amount of calories ad running the same distance. It's also much gentler on the joints and knees.
I love my time walking alone on the nature trails. Yes runners and bicycles are always whizzing by but I love the coolness coming.
Victoria, please don't think of this as a failure...think of it as a the beginning step to a future goal of running.
As everyone else has said, it's really not a failure at all. You have to do what feels right, and if you're not enjoying what you're doing now, its a surefire way to kill off any enthusiasm at all. You'll come back to it when you're ready.
One thought though, even though you're walking, have you had your gait checked? You might be over-pronating or under-pronating, and that can cause knee pain. You can get corrective trainers which help, but ideally you want to go to a specialist shop who can check whether you do this or not, and will allow you to try lots of different shoes. Worth a think about if you've not done it already.
I just want to say that there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with walking first. I love to walk....and I love to run. I had to start out walking as well because I had been heavy...I managed to walk 30 lbs off. Walking has helped me to become a better runner and I have not had an injury. In fact I still incorporate walking into my workout schedule. The thing is....if you can walk it....you can run it. If you build yourself up to walking 13.1 miles....you will be able to run! I love your blog.....stay with it girl!
I agree with everyone.
1 - this is NOT a failure. SO wipe that word right outta your vocabulary girl!
2 - everyone's bodies need a break - do not feel one iota of guilt that you have to let your body heal.
The point is that you are doing this for fitness, and part of fitness is unfortunately at times an uphill battle. Just know that for every uphill, there is a downhill!
Keep on posting and let us know how your recovery is comming along. I miss reading this blog!
Hey, it's got to be fun, and regular exercise is the most important. I was killing myself in the gym 1 to 1.5 hours on the weekends trying to make up for lost time and be good, then I'd be sore and beat the rest of the day. I started doing 30 to 45 minutes 3 times a week and not putting so much pressure on and that felt soooo much better. I'm also trying to be a runner, so I'm glad I found your blog..I'll be back! ~Debbie.
did you ever go back to complete your goal?
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