Two Years Running
November 20th, 2006 | by Scott |Two years ago, today, after an unsatisfying dinner (who sets out to go to Golden Corral, anyway? It’s not a destination, just a place you end up due to circumstances, right?) and a Krispy Kreme dessert I decided to see if I could run a mile.
Right, stupid to try after that kind of meal, I know. But I had recently shed 70+ pounds and had taken up cycling as a form of exercise.
Needless to say, I was unable to make it the full mile.
But I developed a determination to be able to. I found a running plan on-line that promised to get me up to a 5K in two months time.
I did it and I was hooked. Over the course of the next year I ran over 600 miles and began harboring dreams of running a marathon. I read every book on running I could get my hands on, subscribed to Runners World, bought a heart rate monitor, eschewed cotton clothing and fell in love with Bodyglide.
I never missed a day of running that first year. I was a junkie.
Then, shortly after my one year anniversary, I hit the wall. My first pair of running shoes had been sufficient when I was still ramping up the mileage. My second pair was purchased at a running store in Austin. My third pair, however, were not conducive to someone with extreme overpronation.
Over the course of the past year I have struggled with running. My motivation has been zapped, my dreams of a marathon diminished.
It’s hard to balance running with family and career. My peak running time is 5-6 in the afternoon. Just when my family expects me home.
I’ve missed days. I’ve struggled with pain.
I’ve thought about giving up over and over again.
However, I now feel like I have new life. When I was in Arkansas a month ago, my brother-in-law gave me his copy of Jeff Galloway’s Marathon.
When I had first heard of Galloway’s methods and the use of walk breaks I had dismissed it. It wasn’t really running if you took walking breaks, was it?
However, I was so frustrated that I decided to give it a shot.
And I haven’t felt this good running in over a year.
I ran 5 miles yesterday and I feel great today. I’m starting to think that maybe a marathon is possible after all.
And I’m starting to feel the love of running again.
Today is a good anniversary.
To all my running readers: have any of you used Galloway’s plans? What do you think? Do you use walk breaks at all? Any thoughts on running?
To all my non-running readers: give it a shot. Try the couch-to-5K. It could change your life.
14 Responses to “Two Years Running”
By Amy on Nov 20, 2006 | Reply
Happy runiversary!
I have been a runner most of my life because my dad is a runner. You never know the impact you may have on those girls of yours.
I have heard of Jeff Galloway but have not read that book. I’m content to run my three to five miles and call it a day. No marathon aspirations here. I can’t imagine having the kind of time or endurance it would take to train for a race of that length.
Keep us posted on your progress!
By jeff on Nov 20, 2006 | Reply
scott -
trish uses a variant of galloway’s method. she’ll be running the half-marathon in memphis is a couple of weeks.
I will usually walk 30-45 seconds every 2 miles.
my first marathon was very difficult. the half actually seemed easy. I finished the half in 1:49, but the whole took 4:32! I thought I’d finish in 3:50. i’ll run a half in December, then another whole in February - hopefully closer to the 4h mark.
my shortest runs are 4 miles - median is 6. long is at 12-14 currently.
I’ve not had any real injuries, but transitory aches and pains occasionally.
By Scott on Nov 20, 2006 | Reply
Amy, I would love to see my girls get bit by this bug. There’s nothing like that “high.”
Jeff, what exactly is Trish’s variant? How does she approach it. I’m interested in different people’s approaches.
My longest run, so far, is 10. I hope to get back to that soon.
By Amy on Nov 20, 2006 | Reply
Jeff, several of my friends are running in Memphis. I hope it goes well for your wife. I might possibly work up to a half marathon someday. I think the word “half” makes it sound attainable.
By jasonk on Nov 20, 2006 | Reply
I tried running, but never could figure out how to do it. I feel like a giant ball bouncing down the road. When I run, the tops of my feet hurt for days, to the point that I can barely even walk.
Cycling is more my speed. I love to ride. Like you, I hit a wall this year. Getting married and buying a new house have combined to keep me off my bike. I just haven’t had the “want to” when it comes to find new routes, etc. But I certainly will, and your article was a great motivator. Thanks!
By Scott on Nov 20, 2006 | Reply
Jason, I was feeling the same thing running until I learned how to lace my shoes without going across the foot–made all the differnece.
By greg on Nov 20, 2006 | Reply
I was in a Kroger parking lot a couple of weeks ago and the wind caught a stray cart (about 20 ft away), driving it towards a parked car. I ran after it, catching it just in time before it hit the car. I ran a total of about 30-35 feet. That should do me for a while.
By Jenny on Nov 20, 2006 | Reply
I read this great, inspiring book on running called “The Courage to Start” by John Bingham. People always act like running is some huge, insurmountable task that they can’t accomplish, but Bingham puts it into perspective. Really all you are doing is putting one foot in front of the other. It is an atheletic feat that anyone can conquour.
(Of course I don’t know how “inspiring” it really was though, because I am still not a runner)
I guess I’m off to search for that book. Maybe the second time through will be even more motivating.
Congrats on this milestone.
By Scott Freeman on Nov 20, 2006 | Reply
Greg, take a break man. Don’t want to kill yourself
Jenny, that is a great book. Bingham is a great encouragement and motivator to us slow runners.
By Mike the Eyeguy on Nov 20, 2006 | Reply
Glad to hear you discovered Galloway. I’ve been using walk breaks on long runs for years. The other thing I do is alternate a “hard week” (30-35 miles) with an “easy week” (20-25 miles). Along with that, I have “hard days” (5-7 miles) alternating with “easy days” (3-4 miles). It keeps my legs fresher and I tend to pick up fewer nickel and dime injuries that way.
The other thing I’m doing is opting for more “social runs.” I’m basically a lone ranger, but I’m finding that an early Sunday morning run with my 40-50 something geezer friends (we call ourselves “Team Wannabe”) is my favorite one of the week now.
Good luck with the marathon. Next year will be the 10th anniversary of the only one that I ever did. I’m giving some consideration to going again. Tell you what, if you commit to it, so will I, and we can hold each other accountable.
By Scott Freeman on Nov 20, 2006 | Reply
Mike, Galloway has been a great choice for me. That and moving to the Brooks Beast for my shoe. It gives me the stability I need.
I like the alternating hard and easy–that seems a staple of Galloway as well.
Mike, let’s do it. I really want to get one in by my 40th. That gives me 19 months to get ready.
By JTB on Nov 21, 2006 | Reply
Scott, I was going to recommend the Beast to you. I’m glad you’ve found it. After a couple years of working at an orthopedic shoe store I think it is the best athletic show for overpronators out there. For any gals reading the site, if you suffer from the same problem, the ladies’ version is called the Ariel. Also (to extend my little commercial here) if anyone needs individally fit orthopedic inserts, Foot Solutions makes these for less than your typical foot doctor charges.
By Scott on Nov 21, 2006 | Reply
JTB, actually you did recommend the Beast to me several months back. I was using Asics Evolution at the time. They worked ok but the beast is far superior. Thanks.
I make look into the inserts as well.
By JTB on Nov 23, 2006 | Reply
I’m so glad I did, then. Who knew. I choose to blame Clare for this memory lapse (and all others, I love her as the basic all-purpose excuse for everything!)