This morning I got up and ran 6km in weather that keeps most people huddled up indoors with a hot cup of coffee. It was hovering around freezing, with a brisk wind, and there was steady rain coming down sideways. I didn’t go out because Bob & Jillian were shouting at me, or because I have a suit to fit into, or a race to train for (which coincidentally I do). I got up and ran because that’s what I do. I’m a runner.
Now, not to confuse you, I’m not one of those ‘run 20k before breakfast, and another 10 after lunch for good measure’ runners. I generally go between 5 and 10k unless I’m training for longer run. But I run none-the-less. Recently, someone asked me how I started running.
15 years ago I was a counselor at a summer camp in Wisconsin. It was actually the same summer I met my wife, Ali. But that is completely unrelated to the running, other than the fact that she loved me when I was sloth-like and overweight – which means she either really loves me for who I am or was smoking up behind the canteen too often.
Anyway, I digress. I had slowly gained weight over high school and other than the occasional game of basketball, was as sedentary as a guy could be. My best friend was gravely ill in the hospital, and I woke up one morning and thought “I feel gross. I look gross. I need to change this.” I put on a tshirt and pair of shorts and went running. As far as I could. The next time I went a little farther. And then a little farther. And I never stopped.
My running frequency has seen its ups and downs – mainly based on the number of times I’m playing hockey in a given week. But at least once a week, I wake up early, throw on my sneakers and my iPod, and hit the pavement. It’s exhilarating, and mind clearing, and self fulfilling, and healthy, and challenging, and I love it!
I usually sign up for one or two 10km runs each year – mainly just to give myself something to push for. If you’ve never done a 10k run – it’s an awesome experience. Running alongside hundreds or thousands of people while bands play and cheering bystanders push you on. I’ve done a half-marathon in Atlanta a couple of years ago and signed up for this year’s Scotiabank Half Marathon in Toronto as well.
I don’t try to break any land-speed records. I don’t try and best personal times. I just run. I love every breath panting, muscle flexing, painstaking step of it.
I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the structure of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?
Howdy are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you require any html coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!
I went for a run yesterday (first time in two years) just to test out my cardio fitness since I’ve been doing boot camp for a couple months was curious how that would translate into kms. I did about 5 km, with more than a few walking breaks (our neighbourhood is HILLY) and it felt so good! Maybe one day I’ll really take it up again…good for you for sticking with it and loving it, though!
While I like running, I have to say I can’t do 20km per day. Usually I’m running about 2 miles on the weekends and I hit the gym on my spare time, about 30min per day. I believe overtraining is the main cause of weight gain in women, as our bodies don’t work the same as men. Women are easier to overtrain and easier to suffer injuries.
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I was sedentary and overweight too. I picked up running 5 years ago and I HATED it! But, I forced myself to see it through. I followed a training schedule and trained all the way up to a 10km race. The commitment I made was that I had to follow the training schedule and finish it and if I reached the end and still hated running I never had to do it again. But I don’t believe you will ever know if you like something unless you get proficient at it. By the time race day came I found I actually enjoyed running. I cried on and off for the whole race I was so overjoyed. I never in my wildest dreams thought I could or would do something like that.
I still run 3x per week as long as my knees will let me. I usually run half an hour or 5km. It is flexible and cheap and keeps me fit. It is not always fun while I am running but I feel so fabulous after I do it!
Jogging, not running is what I consider a great workout for my mind, body and soul. I just feel energized after I jog for an hour especially when the adrenaline still lingers in my body afterward. You really don’t have to force yourself to run an entire marathon when you start out. Take it as you go and increase your stamina overtime. And always stretch before and after you go jogging to prevent unnecessary injuries.
I hear you. I’m doing my first 10k on March 20th. When I was in school, I was a sprinter. I never really took to distance. But then (just this past fall) a girlfriend invited me to do a couple of fun races with her, so of course I started training, and now I’m addicted. It’s not always good. I’ve had a few runs where my body felt like partially charred meat afterward. But when it’s good? Oh, man, when it’s good it’s like FLYING! I guess, like with an lifelong love, you gotta take the good with the bad 🙂
I used to be a distance runner, and then focused on sprints by the time I ended school… I can’t say I miss any part of it actually – I think I used to do it because I was good at it, but I never got the nirvana feelings runners seem to get. I guess that’s why I don’t do it now. I tried to pick it up again, about 10 years ago, but nope… I hate it. But I think it’s great that you love it so, Gav… everyone should have such a passion. 🙂
I HATE running also. And am jealous of those who love it because it’s so portable. Oh well, I guess I’ll have to stick with Jillian Michael’s DVDs (they are torture – in a good way).
I think it’s awesome that you run.
I HATE running with a passion.
I always tear apart my heels and my shins and it’s just not a good situation for me. I am super jealous of people who love it.
good for you Gav- I just started a running clinic. I get what you are saying although I am not at the love stage yet. We are still courting. And fighting.