Saturday, October 27, 2007

Running all the way from slug to smug

I got up this a.m. and did something different. After I did my usual low-impact cardio workout with my "personal trainer" Raina, I went outside and jogged in the daytime.

It was a beautiful, below-freezing morning outside: crisp, clear, and windless. The leaves were showing off all their pretty colors, and the sun was shining in a cloudless blue sky. And I loathed it.

I am not a cheerful runner, I've discovered. My inner slug is constantly saying things like, I don' wanna do this. Wah. This is BOR-ing. My goal is to tune out the slug while learning to listen to my knees and tendons.

I jog/walked for 36 minutes, alternating 1 and 2 minute intervals. At first I had the whole park to myself, which was good. When you're huffing, puffing, and red-faced, it's nice not to have an audience. But I think I'll have to break down and get an iPod or something like that. Marie's suggestion of a podcast geared toward newbies sounds like something that will cost still more money it might do the trick. Might help to drown out the inner slug.

After about 30 minutes, the sun had warmed things up enough so that other people started to come out and enjoy the day. I looked at them with the smug tolerance of a woman who'd begun her workout when it was still freezing. Apparently braving the cold brings with it a feeling of superiority.

I feel good now that I've stopped jogging. I do think I deserve a gold star for getting out there in the cold and doing the work.

Fall photo courtesy of flickr.

11 comments:

Katharine O'Moore-Klopf said...

You do deserve a gold star! Lean over, and I'll put one right there—on your forehead.

The Merry said...

Aw gee, now I'm blushing. It does feel nice to have the gold star on the forehead :)

marie said...

MORE than a gold star! Way to go!!
It takes a lot of effort to get up and go in the morning let alone get up and RUN! Kudos!!!

The Merry said...

Woo! Not only a gold star, but a couple of kudos? I've never even had one kudo before. Thank you!

C said...

That's would be the motivator for me to get up and outside early for a jog--less people to see my tomato-red face. When I start a jogging program, I'll let you know.

Since you've already gotten a gold star and kudos, may I offer you applause and congratulations instead?

Theresa said...

Way to go, Mary!!! Whoohoo!!!

Hmm, I don't remember what the earlier version of the Beginning Runner's program may have been. I DO know that I modified it to fit me. (Maybe a slower start, 5K instead of 10K.) I even created a chart to stick on my fridge so I could give myself stars. I don't know why, but that was extremely motivating.

I've been trying to get the running thing going again, and you're helping to motivate me. I'm restarting the Beginning Runner's program. I bought a new pair of running shoes yesterday. And I've got my schedule up where I can see it. Haven't yet found any star stickers to use as rewards, unfortunately, and the gold pen I settled for just isn't the same.

I think starting to run is kind of like finding the right "diet". Everyone's body is different, and you have to find what works for you! Keep listening to your knees. :+)

soapbox girl said...

Braving the cold air in the wee hours of the morning to run? Wow! I'm very impressed. Excellent! :)

The Merry said...

Why thank you! (blushing)

McB said...

Get the iPod. Other podcasts you can check out include GrammarGirl and Mr. Diety. Also you know you can download audiobooks! Now that's the way to pass time.

Jennette Fulda said...

The cold always scares me away from running outdoors in the winter, so you totally deserve a gold star. Hell, give yourself a platinum star too!

The Merry said...

Now that's what I call timing! I read this comment just as I was sitting at my desk debating whether I really should go out to run or not.
Ha! That settled that question quickly enough. I of course went straight back to bed.
No, seriously, I didn't. It actually motivated me to go out and do my morning run. I was just kidding. Sorry.