8.26.2011

I'm Still a Runner! (Who knew?)

Anyone who knows me at all knows a couple of things about me - -that I was an avid runner {think 6 - 7 miles a day, pretty much 6 days a week} for many years. Like probably 15 or so. Maybe more. I loved running. I started out walking and eventually, just to make things more interesting, would challenge myself to 'run to that tree' or 'run to the corner'. After that, I got competitive with myself and would see how much faster I could do my regular route than the day before. And I got hooked. I loved running.


Fast-forward to our move here in 2004: heredity + years of running = foot problems. I had a couple of surgeries and decided I could not keep running as my feet hurt 100% of the time. So I switched my allegiance to the elliptical machine which is great exercise, and is weight-bearing without impact. I learned {after quite some time} to love the elliptical too. I pretty much spend an hour a day 5x a week on our elliptical machine.

But recently, my Natalie decided she wanted to be a runner, so she got herself the Couch to 5K app for her phone and took off. It was hard for her at first, but she persisted - - and now {you can see it coming, right?} she is hooked on running and loves it. She's training for a half-marathon in December. I am so proud of her.

So then, she encouraged her dad to try that same program. Not to be left out, I got it on my phone, and we decided to do it together. Mostly, I was doing it to encourage Mark and to spend a little more time with him. We did great for the first 4 weeks, but at that point, Mark's knee pretty much gave out on him and he is seeing an orthopedic doc on Monday. So he's out.

But me? About that same time {4 weeks in} my body made it clear to me that it remembered that I am a runner. And I am. I am still a runner. I have now nearly completed week 5 and plan to continue and will do a 5K in October. Natalie is encouraging me to train for that same half-marathon in December.

Not sure if I will get there or not. But what I am sure of is that I have missed running and my body knows it. It makes me happy. And my feet? Well, they hurt all the time anyhow and it's no worse when I"m running.

So I am running again, and loving it.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

hooray!!!

Ashley said...

Way to go!

Carrie and Nathan said...

Glad you are doing something you LOVE! I have yet to fall in love with it...hoping that comes! Proud of you!

Natalie Scott said...

Aaaah, I knew you'd take it up again someday. So glad for Nat AND you. I know exactly what you are talking about and exactly what you mean. I love it too! An acquired taste perhaps, but oh so addictive.

Go Jan! So proud of you. You CAN run that half. You have plenty of time to train, so go for it!

Jill said...

I love it! And just sign up for the half so you HAVE to do it! It's quite motivating when there's a race looming.

BrookieT said...

You are inspiring in every way! Good luck with the training. Are you feet issues somethng therapy can help? Or therapeutic yoga?

You are to running as I am to yoga.

Andi said...

Yay! You really are amazing.

Andrea said...

Saw you out there hitting the pavement the other day. You looked awesome! You're amazing!

waltdouglas said...

I really wish I loved running like you do. I know that would make it easier to get out the door at 530AM.

Hattip to Jan!

tappingflamingo said...

wow, you have foot problems and run? what an inspiration. I walk every morning with a group of ladies. I've been wanting to rev it up a notch, but I have achy feet too; plantar fasciitis, neroma, and bunions. plus I have not yet been able to find good shoes, as my feet are impossible to find good fitting shoes...bunions make my front part of my foot a size B and my heels are a AAA size, so I get a lot of rubbing. Anyway, I think as soon as we get moved and settled, I my do what you did. Rev it up a notch little by little.