I Think I’ve Learned to Actually Run, so Maybe You Can Too
As I conclude my third week of trying to learn to love running – a thing I’ve hated for most of my life – in my monthly Lifehacker Fitness Challenge , I have to report several disruptions and one incredible, almost incredible success.
First, the hiccups, of which there were several. Last week I ran exactly once , although last week I set myself a goal of three runs :
My goals for next week include three runs, at least one of which is on a scenic trail. My longest run / walk this week was just over 20 minutes, so if I can get that to 25 minutes it feels like progress. And I hope that at least one run will be equal to or close to a “two” on the sentiment graph.
There are legitimate reasons for this, namely that my parents and grandfather came to town last weekend for a visit. This was the first time I had seen them in person in a year, so spending time with them was higher on the priority list than “exercises I don’t even like.” And then, because I told myself that it was also allowed to exercise in this way, I really love, I chose my elliptical on Monday.
However, on Tuesday, Lifehacker editor-in-chief Jordan Calhoun and I interviewed Strength Running’s Jason Fitzgerald for the Lifehacker podcast, The Upgrade . (This episode is scheduled to be released on Monday, so I’ll come back and leave a link here .) We talked about this very topic – how can you start running as an adult? – and Jason was very kind and accommodating. encouraging me even after Jordan told him my ankles were not flexing properly .
From this conversation, I drew several important personal conclusions. First, to start loving running, you need to give him 30 days. (I stumbled upon the exact amount of time!) Second, you will probably hate it for the first two, maybe three weeks. (I had just that amount of time and I was still not a fan!) And then there would be a turning point; my body would begin to feel differently. My legs will get stronger and things will happen more naturally, and I will be on my way to enjoying it. I could tell that he really believed in it, I could see that he wanted it for me, and let myself think that it was really possible. After all, he’s an expert.
With renewed motivation, I left the Zoom meeting, laced up my sneakers, and went out for a run. I needed to change the landscape, so I headed to a nearby area – one that is beautifully framed by giant plane trees and a little hilly, but not as hilly as mine. I walked for a few minutes and then started jogging. I had a tight ankle again and I thought, ” Oh shit, here we are again, ” but then they relaxed and I left.
After a few minutes, I wondered if I should slow down my walking as my body usually insisted that I do it after a few minutes. And yet I felt pretty good. I didn’t have much out of breath or discomfort, so I just kept running. I didn’t measure the time, but my estimate was that I ran for 12-13 minutes straight without stopping. And if I didn’t have to turn uphill at this moment, I think I could go even longer. If I spent a few minutes walking at the beginning and at the end, then I got exactly 20 minutes, and I returned home feeling pretty satisfied with myself.
Jason was right. My body was different. My legs got stronger. I felt not like I was pretending to be running, and more like I was actually running. And I kind of … liked … that feeling.
I gave myself a “two” on my running mood scale from 1 to 5. (In case you don’t remember: Five is “Fuck this shit,” and one is “Hurray! Running is the best!”) Another one of mine the goal for this week was two, and this is one that I didn’t think I was going to accomplish.
Now back to the hiccups (figurative). As I said, this was the only run I did this week – although, to be honest, I’m only writing this on Thursday. The main reason I didn’t run yesterday or today is because when I woke up yesterday my right ankle hurt a little. Not that the ulcer is completely traumatized, but tough enough to make me nervous to run over it. This is my own fault; I haven’t warmed up enough, although I know my ankles won’t bend. Jason also stressed that people try to do too much, too early and can make injuries worse, so I’m going to give this another day or two before trying to run.
Donkey’s ankle or not, I call this week a victory.