Like I have said, I have started a jog/walk program because I want to be a runner. I have asthma, was a smoker, and have a mind set that I cannot run very well. I have been trying very hard to increase my lung capacity so that I can run for further and for longer periods of time. I started out at Run 1min/Walk 1min and increased up to Run 4min/ Walk 1min for 30 minutes at a time. I thought I was doing fairly well with this, but it proves to be really difficult to start running then walk then start running again. I think the plan has you do this because it is difficult so that when you go to run a full half hour at the end of 8 weeks, it will be a breeze! Ok so on to yesterday, I went out to do my run. I started running and I guess I had a lot on my mind because I immersed myself in my thoughts. The next thing I knew I was feeling great and just kept jogging. The first time i looked at my stopwatch it said 12 minutes!! I was like holy crap. I guess I had magically fallen into a semi comfortable pace and groove, I just wanted to keep running to see how far I could go. It was so excited. I was running just for me, I was clearing my head, and most of all I was feeling incredible!! For the first time ever I had that feeling that I knew running could always give me, but never got. I guess I was never patient enough to keep at it to feel that. I was in control of my run, I was breathing hard and sweating but it wasn't killing me. I didn't want to stop!! I had plans that night so I did stop after 20 minutes of straight jogging!! I have never jogged for 20 minutes straight EVER in my life. It was really one of the most exciting things ever. I just felt an immense amount of pride in what I had done. Now I know I can do it, and if I can do it you can too!! Keep bringing it, folks!! YAY for jogging!!
Oh and I am going to continue to follow the Run/Walk program but also a couple times a week I am just going to do a straight jog to see how far I can go.
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Christy, I urge you to just follow the run/walk program. I know how hard it is because your lungs feel so free and as an asthmatic that is... like a religious experience. BUT, your bones get used to running much slower than your muscles and lungs do. The program gives your bones time to get used to the jarring and strength the supporting tendons etc. Doing those long runs could leave you open to shin splints and stress fractures which would mean no running at all! after the 8 weeks, they increase your mileage but even then they say to limit increased to 10% a week for similar reasons. Have fun; I have to get new shoes this weekend which ones did you end up getting?
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