For a few years now, I’ve been reading several blogs that, while generally crafty sorts of blogs, talk occasionally about running. After awhile, your start to think, “Hey – maybe I could run a bit too!” So, late last summer (as in 2009) I decided I was going to become a runner. I ran every other day for about 3 weeks and after the first week, my knees started killing me and by the third week, I could barely walk. I consulted My physical therapist CrazyBIL and he said “What do you expect, you’ve been a lazy-bum couch potato all your life, so give it up!” Ok, not really, but he did say that my leg muscles were weak, which was causing my knees to take the brunt of the impact and he gave me exercises to do.
I occasionally faithfully did the exercises over the winter and decided to try again in the spring. This time, I tried the couch to 5k program with a friend from work. After three weeks, my knees were doing great, but my legs were killing me. Fortunately, quilt market came along and saved me from myself. After market, I tried to pick up where I’d left off, but had to quit again after three weeks. Walking around peg-leg-like isn’t a good look.
So, I sat around for a week or two and gave it some thought. I decided maybe I was running too often. I started going to the Y and working out every day on the implement from hell elliptical machine. That way, I could keep up with the aerobic part of running and minimize the impact to my knees. After a week or two, I started running on the track, once every 4 or 5 days. It worked! No more soreness at all. I found the ticket, except for two things: I loathe the elliptical machine and running on a track is soooo boring. I’ve decided I’ll just have to suffer and give myself the occasional reward, like this one below, after the first time I finally made it to a mile. Suffering requires trade-offs!
I’ll never be a Finny or Raina or Jen, but if I can run a little now and then, I’ll be content. So far, I’ve made it up to 1.5 miles on the track and yesterday, I decided what-the-heck, let’s try for 2 miles outside — should be easy without the boredom of the track, right? Ha! I hadn’t factored in the heat and humidity and slight hills. Lucky for me, at 1.25 miles I had to stop to cross a busy 4-lane highway, so I bagged it and walked the rest of the way home. One must improvise when required.
I have no clue where my little running adventure will take me. I’m not really losing any weight (see reward program above.) Unlike Jan, exercise doesn’t discourage snacking. Quite the opposite — the little devil on my left shoulder says “Oh, go ahead, you just burned off some extra calories.” Apparently Jan has the little angel on her shoulder. Anyway, just in case you’ve been having trouble running or exercising, I thought you might benefit from the knowledge of what seems to be working for me. Don’t try to run too frequently (but exercise in between) and a little extra sugar never hurts. ;-)
XOXO,
Anna
P.S. Thank you SOOO much for all your wonderful comments on my ghastlies. I had several questions on where to get the fabric. It’s getting pretty hard to find now, but there are rumors that Alexander Henry plans to rerun the fabric next year with a new set of coordinating prints. I hope so — the frenzy that these fabric companies create by short fabric runs drives me crazy!
Every little bit of exercise helps! I have been running on and off for about 10 years – ran a half marathon in May – my friends who run all told me I’d get addicted and running would become as necessary as breathing – uh – no…..I’m still as lazy as ever and wont go running unless someone else makes me!!
Keep it up though – it always feels great afterwards – the sense of accomplishment – or perhaps it’s just the endorphins kicking in!
Now that I have stopped going for my morning walks (3 miles before breakfast!) I am now suffering the torture of machines!! Before we moved here, we were members of a gym, but there isn’t a good one any where near us, so we invested in a cross (elliptical) trainer and a rowing machine. I get up at 6.30 (Mon to Fri), start on the cross trainer, then do a lot longer session on the rowing machine – which I have found to be very good for my knees. The best bit is that we have a tv in the ‘fitness room’ ( aka the smallest bedroom) so that I can watch the breakfast news programme. (Malcolm gets up a bit later, to join me when I have finished on the cross trainer!) Like you, I haven’t really lost weight, as I think I can eat something after working off the calories!!
After years of running (and eating what I liked) I had to give it up because of bad knees. I really miss it.
I know I can’t run because of my ankles, not knees. But the good news is that I can walk but now I think I have a darn bone spur. Why does it have to be so hard to be good!
Well, you mentioned running in a comment on someone else’s blog and I thought – ah, that’s why she’s so slim though she cooks fattening things all the time! Sneaky (I thought)! I feel slightly better now, but not much. How DO you have the time to do all that and go to the gym/track too????????? Mysteriouser and mysteriouser. What is it that the rest of us waste time doing that you don’t? Sleeping? Washing the kitchen floor? Buying groceries? Eating?
Well done on the running! I think if you have really sore muscles you need to eat more protein after the run like chicken, cheese or yoghurt which helps your muscles rebuild. It worked for me when I started going to the gym and felt like my body had been run over by a truck. Unfortunately the gym is on hold yet again until my stupid ear infection goes away. I am sure once you run more your snacks wont matter so much will they, lol – always good to have a little bit of a reward.
Wow Anna! I’m seriously impressed. I don’t think I’ll EVER be able to run! Every time I decide I really do NEED to exercise I just have a little sit down until the feeling goes away!!! ;o)
Great job Anna! Oh I hate the elliptical too…you’re a woman after my own heart…on gym days, I work myself to almost exhaustion and then that little fellow on my shoulder says “Have a treat”…too funny! I’m not losing any weight either but I sure feel better!
I think you may need to channel your inner Forrest Gump. Just keep walking. The hubs and I did it this weekend. On Saturday 10.3 miles… yeah, that’s right. But all walking mind you not a single running step in there. Legs and knees are great. By the way, you are not the only one with the devil on her shoulder, there is one here too! Little bugger needs to get off.
You have great perseverance to keep trying even after knee pain. I wish I could like running, but I stick with walking 3-4 miles/day. It gives me a chance to hand out treats to all the neighborhood dogs on the way.
Wow, I’m very impressed! That’s quite an accomplishment and the reward (looks YUMMY) is well deserved. I do a lot of walking, but I always think running looks much more fun. :)
I’m laughing too hard to type. You are my kind of runner. I tried a couple of years ago to start running and thought I was going to run a half marathon…Ha! I’m sticking to walking. You go girl!
i will totally go running with you if you bring a cattle prod along.
and a snicker’s bar.
Ha! I think I have the little devil on my shoulder too. I tend to eat more when I’m exercising regularly. But exercising and eating a bit more is probably better than not.
Elliptical machines are torture!
I am most definately not a runner ( boobs get in the way ) , I have enough of a problem just jogging along to the Wii fit lol…. good for you though, every little bit does help
i’m an on again off again and currently off runner. I’m with you about the reward on gym days, lol. Still it’s good for the body and soul to work it hard.
Oh I feel for ya. I run (I don’t really call myself a “runner” although I try to do it about 3 times a week for the last couple of years. Sometimes it’s less.) I don’t seem to loose any weight. I guess I’m just maintaining, but I really need to LOOSE weight. Anyways. It’s hard, but nice to have good friends to chat with while I go. Good for you for keepin’ at it even though you’ve had a few bumps along the way. Good luck!
Well done you! I am not and never will be a runner – not until they invent a superstrength boulder holding sports bra …
I had to laugh at your remark about the eliptical machine. My friend has gone on a self-induced make over. Walking, eating better, going to the gym and getting a personal trainer. Amazing, when you consider who she is. I am so proud of her. She has lost weight, toned up, feels great and her migraines have subsided. Truly the only thing she complains about is the elliptical! She can do two hours on the treadmill but won’t touch the implement from hell!!!
Good for you, Anna! Keep it up. My daughter (age 40) started running a year or so ago. Now she is proud to call herself “a runner”. She recently completed the Wharf to Wharf race on the coast, five miles from Santa Cruz to Capitola. I’m so proud of her (and you) for doing this.
Good for you, Anna.
Congrats on your perseverance! I have never been very good at running, even back in junior high school. But I do love to walk. I have been thinking about using the elliptical machine at my gym but haven’t gotten any further than that.
Thanks I need to know that I am not the only one that is trying to talk myself into running. I try to run and get bored(thats what I tell myself) after 1/4 of mile. So I stay on the elliptical and dream that I have become the runner. I did two half marathon. My daughter in law is the runner so I think I should be also. I may try the couch program. Again Anna You are my Hero.
Good for you! That is awesome. It is so hard to actually MAKE myself exercise. I guess it’s the wanting to see something concrete accomplished right away that gets me. I beat it back by working out in the yard. At least I can see flowers and veggies and plants and trees.
Good for you, Anna!!! I have such a hard time with any type of exercise program. Don’t know why. However, I do love to walk and that’s about the only thing I will stick with. And your reward looked yummy!!!!
I have been saying for months now that I’ll get back to doing a little Tai Chi every evening. Like I used to do last year when I was younger and more virtuous. You know they call Tai Chi “moving meditation…” Well, I was meditating about it but there was no movement. Now you have inspired me. Before I go to bed I will go out there to the patio, with a little music, and there will be movement. Possibly some groaning too. But I’ll be strong. It would be a big help if Brigita could drop by with her cattle prod….Oh, and tell her not to forget the snickers bar. Contrary to popular belief,virtue is NOT its own reward.
Ohohoh, my legs are killing me from a half mile walk to school today. I curtsy to your superiority!
hi anna,
i was having knee problems when walking on the treadmill & my pilates instructor told me about reebok easy tone sneakers & i must say my knee problems have diminished!
fyi: i bought the sneaks @ zappos.com…
now i am ready for a sweet treat…i am with you!
Ever tried deep water running? It gives you almost the same level of calorie burn as road running but without the impact. It’s actually GREAT FUN! Only problem is, you have to get into a pair of bathers and get wet. Hmmm. Back to the road I guess.
Well done with the exercise Anna!
I joined a gym recently; its been too cold to walk outside. I am working my way up to….well jogging…I have never been a runner!
Someone suggested to me downloading talking books to keep the boredom at bay.
Hey I am proud of you for pushing yourself off the couch and moving. I bet if you keep at it, in a year you will be running much more than you thought. You go girl xoxo Clarice
Well I think you’re amazing to press on with the running. I’m a walk-er but just won’t/can’t run with the knees I have. How about bike riding?
If nothing else, you must look COOL with those cute, cute shoes!
Jody
that’s so awesome that you didn’t just give up Anna, but figured out a way to make it work, I’m so proud of you!! Lenny and I just became members at a gym so we can stay in better shape this winter. A couple weekends ago we did a 14’er that really kicked my hiney and I think it kind of scared him because I’ve never been so tired and wobbly legged, EVER! Anyway, I have lost a couple of pounds but seem to be stalled out right now (it probably doesn’t help that it’s just about that time of the month). Anyway, I’m like you, exercising really makes me feel entitled to make raspberry scones and practically eat the who recipe myself within a matter of days.
Fwiw, my FIL is a runner, and has had various knee & foot troubles for most of his life. Once he had his shoes “zeroed”, which eliminates the higher heel, his heel problems disappeared. I believe it also helps a lot with knee problems.
If you haven’t read Born to Run by Christopher MacDougal, you need to. I’ve wanted to be a runner for more than a decade (pregnancy and nursing has had to come first, though) . . . and reading that book clinched it. Even if you’re not a runner, it’s an entertaining, fascinating, educative read, and I’ve recommended it to a lot of my friends and relatives. (Be forewarned, though, because the narrative is from various runners, some of them are a little foul-mouthed at times.) I especially loved the anthropology bits about how nature itself proves that human beings were born to run . . .
Good for you, and hang in there!
Thanks for a great post and some wonderful advice. I can’t run due to back problems. My physiotherapist told me some people just better don’t try to run… LOL!
I need to get my lazy bum to the gymn though. From working out 3 to 4 times a week, I have practically done nothing at all over the last half year. I have a devil on my shoulder telling me sugar won’t hurt and and angel on the other side that says: tomorrow you start exercising again, cause tomorrow is another day…
I am in awe!
Kimx
Well done! Running is not at easy as it looks sometimes. ;) Glad you are rewarding yourself!
Jennifer :)
Wow! Good girl!!
I’m also working toward my first 5K. I’m convinced that running is really all about how convincing I am at lying to myself.
:)
You’re better than me, Anna. I need to get off my butt and do something. It’s starting to show and that’s pretty scary!
Pssst Anna … didn’t you know that exercise is really bad for you?! ;) x
Well done you for even trying and having any commitment to the gym. I joined a gym once..didn’t last though…maybe I’ll give it a go another time..in the far off future LOL
Good for you!! I used to be a runner before I developed Plantar Fasciitis (no idea how it’s spelled lol). Keep it up and you will get addicted…it’s a good addiction :) I worked up to 10 miles a day a couple of times a week with shorter runs in between. It was awesome….hopefully I’ll be at it again before too long. I have a friend doing the couch to 5k (after being injured and out for awhile) and it is working great for her too. Keep up the good work!
I’ve been thinking that I need to start running. My problem is consistency. I can’t even make it to 3 weeks of consistency. Good for you. I’ll keep working at it and maybe I’ll get something going.
You should be proud of yourself! Awesome thing to have tucked away in lifes accomplishments.
i started running this fall. i’ve dreamed of being a runner for a long time. and in my dreams i. am. FAST. LOL!!! in real life, not so much. but i’m starting to enjoy it!!! i can’t believe it! i believe that something is off kilter there. maybe it’s because i hate my elliptical machine, too? i’ve been using it an awful lot this year. (but it’s paying off! hurray!)
maybe i should reward myself like you do. THAT would get me to like running!
Love your take on exercise Anna! I have never been a big fan of running but am trying to incorporate some walking and exercise bike into my routine. I need to stop rewarding myself so much :)
Oh, I’ve just started running too. Also a lifelong couch potato. No knee problems just yet and I’ve got my first 5km next week. It’s good for the soul. As is quilting and cake… running is definitely need to counteract all that sitting and munching!
I used to run, but I had problems with my knees too. I walk when the weather permits. It’s been hotter than Haiti here, but soon I’ll be back to my walking routine. I love to go to McD’s for an ice cream cone, that’s one of my favorite treats.