Thursday, April 26, 2007

It does get easier...

Am I sticking my head in the sand?

I have been consistently running for 3 months now, and I still feel strained every step.

Don't get me wrong, there has been progress I've increased my speed and endurance but it is still so HARD! I guess I'm just wondering if I'll ever feel good during the run and not just after when I'm finished.

Maybe that is my problem. Maybe no one feels good during the run- just after. Have I created some idealistic picture in my head of running while the birds sing and I have a smile on my face just to be disappointed by reality?

What do you say runners? Is there a light at the end of the tunnel, or is it always dark until you emerge and begin the cooldown!

8 comments:

Sarah said...

Heather, I'm with you on the running thing. I finally came to the conclusion that I am just not one of those people who get that "natural high" from doing it. I have to admit though, it is way more enjoyable to run outside than on a treadmill (which, I'm stuck on the treadmill because of convenience) but you just make yourself do it. Why? Because we are obsessed with what will happen if we don't work out. No, really it does get better because you start seeing the difference in the way you feel and look, and there's always that plus of being able to outrun your husband! I feel for you though, sometimes it does feel like you are stuck in a rut, that's normal.

dandee said...

It does get easier. You will get to the point where your mind will wander and you will hit mile 5 and not even know it. You are awesome! Keep it up!

Shayla said...

Wow, three months!? You're awesome. I feel like crap during ANY form of exercise and have never understood those who say they love it. I do understand feeling good afterward, but DURING? No, I'm always hating every minute of it. Even after doing it consistently for months, I still hate it. I'm amazed that you've stuck it out this long even after months of hating it. I always quit in exasperation. You go girl! :-) By the way, you look excellent. You walked past in sacrament meeting last Sunday and I thought, wow, she looks really great.

Melissa said...

I'm impressed that you have stuck with it! I'm afraid that I didn't stick with my running goal. I would get home and my knees would hurt and it would just get worse and worse each day. There was finally one day where I got out of bed and it hurt to just get up. :S So, to you I say, WAY TO GO!!! I've been told it gets easier. The only exercise that I have ever really enjoyed is water aerobics...

goddessdivine said...

I don't have any words of wisdom here. I can't run half a mile without collapsing. I'm a Pilates and speedwalking kinda girl--that's all my body can handle.

lindsay>boo said...

I'm not a runner either. Every time I run, I get a side ache. A few years ago, I was running 3-4 times a week for 6 months straight and without fail, I got a side ache. I'm a aerobics and speed walking girl myself.

Alicia said...

I don't run, either. I have hated it since i was a kid. Even when I weighed less than 100 lbs. I hated it. I am all about the walking. I LOVE it. I even enjoy it while I'm doing it, it feels so good. I actually once heard a doctor say running is the worst exercise for women, that it destroys their knees. I've never understood those people, like in the Nike commercials that make it look like running is the equivalent of taking a bubble bath.

JustRandi said...

Heather, 2 marathons later I still HATE running for the first 3 miles or so. After that I get into a rhythm and quit thinking about it, and it's much better. The other thing I do is use my MP3 player. Music, or books make the run go by lots faster.
Congrats on your successes!!!