Some thoughts on running

I call it running anyway, some call it jogging.  A while ago I would have called it miserable.  I do however find something quite interesting happening.  I am liking it, whats more, I am really getting into it!

Here's the deal.  When I was doing the Biggest Loser competition last year I said time and time again that I would never be a runner, or never be able to do a 5k etc.  I know now where that came from.  In the competition we were set against all shapes and sizes and different levels of fitness.  For example, the guy who eventually won the competition, I'll call him by his well earned nickname of rabbit, quickly become not just a runner, but a RUNNER in capitals.  He was putting up amazing times in a 5k, ran a 10 mile, would run a 1k warm-up before the rest of us ran ours and would then run it again with us.  This was the guy I was measuring myself against and by doing so I was setting myself up for failure.  Here's why.  The rabbit started pretty much at 100 lbs less than me, and ended at 100 lbs less that me, I think the total weight loss difference between the two of us was within a couple of pounds.  Now I am not for one instant taking away from his amazing accomplishment, not at all, however, a guy running 100 lbs heavier cannot and will not ever in any scenario be able to run with the ease, speed and duration of the man running 100lbs lighter.  I should never have been measuring myself against him, we shouldn't even have really been in the same group!

Now however, I am running against myself.  The only person I measure my progress against is myself.  The only person I am looking to beat is myself and I find myself loving it and realizing I can indeed run, I can indeed do a 5k next year, heck, I am now even beginning to think of the Tely 10 next year.  Unreal!

Run a full 1k tonight people, that's right, 1k no stop.....

Now to take a little more, and a little more and a little more.......  it's really happening.....

On another note, looks like I am going to be borrowing a bike tomorrow.  I am not sure if I will like it or not and I wanted to make sure I know before I buy one myself.  Could end up with a very expensive coat rake otherwise.... lol..... I have already been mapping out bike routes though and look forward to seeing if my butt can take it....

Physical recap - shin splints are becoming a factor now that my distances are increasing.  Still feeling some numbness in one foot, but not both now.  Knees seem to be holding up.  Feet are still feeling beaten in the mornings, though I am not sure how much of that is the running and how much is the walking around in steel nosed boots on pavement and concrete all day.  Cardio limits are improving, not breathing near as hard now as my heart rate increases, not gasping at all and no stitches in the sides.

Weight will be updated tomorrow....