I love reading Aron's blog for many reasons, two of which are; he keeps it real and he can run faster than I ever will while taking it "easy." I must say that I am not much of a runner. I have never mastered the art of "loving to run." That is to say, the actual running part of running does not feel good. I don't actually enjoy pushing myself as hard as I can even though I do it because I am competitive enough that I can't do it any other way. The point being, I am not a good runner. The only time I ran as a kid was while I was playing soccer, football, baseball, tennis, etc.
As I have gotten older (aka-the last year) and stopped doing as many team sports as I would like, running is a way for me to burn away the calories of frustration. Natalie talked me into signing up for a 15K last February, which we ran on May 20th. With the great help of Nate I got a training plan that I followed somewhat religiously to get myself in running shape to do the race. The result of the race was me running it in about 8:55 pace, which I wasn't too thrilled about as I had been running the distance around 8:35 pace. Nonetheless, during the training period I enjoyed the best aerobic fitness I have had since high school. The best was playing Saturday morning basketball with some buddies and feeling in great shape the entire time, even as people were tiring out. The second best thing was waking up the following morning not feeling sore whatsoever.
In part because I was a little frustrated that I did not do as well in the race;in part because since May 20th we have been incredibly busy moving our operation to Nashville; in part because the oppressive heat doesn't work well with me (even if I am from Little Mexico), I had not hit the streets for a run since then. All of that changed today. Right after our floor installer guy told us that he was not coming to lay the floors down until Monday (they were supposed to start today and finish tomorrow at the latest), Natalie mentioned that it was nice outside and mentioned that I should try to go out for a run. With that, I changed and put on my new New Balance 767's and hit the road for an "incredibly strenuous" 3.5 mile run.
I started ok and I sucked wind for the most part, but I would just like to thank aron for letting me know that my crappy splits have a place in life, and that place is the end of this entry (sorry, I don't have the mile splits because I forgot to look at my watch):
First 1.75 miles (Thank you Google Pedometer): 16:13.78
Second 1.75 miles: 16:52.88
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5 comments:
Hey B-
My folks leave today, and after they're out of here, I'll get another training plan put together for you.
As for loving running, I don't think anybody loves it at first. And some people never love it, which is fine too. But for some, it can become an incredibly rewarding experience. When I get to that point where I'm fit enough that I'm not looking at my watch every 2 minutes and when I'm not counting down blocks to the finish, then it can be pretty awesome.
Thanks for the post! I started my blog so Nate had a way of keeping tabs on me because I was clogging his in-box with massive e-mails.
Something I learned when I started running again after a two year layoff is that doing it is more important than how fast you did it. It took me 26 years to figure that out but 5 minute milers and 12 minute milers are out there doing the same thing. I've even noticed that the 12 minute milers enjoy the experience more than the 5 minute crowd does.
Running was the first athletic thing I was good at. If a ball was involved I sucked at it.
I don't love it all the time and some mornings I don't want to get out of bed for it but when I get out there I'm glad I did.
Running has made me feel closer to my adopted hometown because I've been able to explore it on foot and discover all its secret places. Sounds kinda kinky but it's true.
Don't let your times discourage you because I'm sure there is someone reading your blog who would kill to run a 15k at 8:55 pace.
I fully agree about the part on checking out the neighborhood. It is nice running around the area and seeing what other houses look like and such.
I think my biggest issue is that I get a little too competitive in trying to do my best every time. I just need to learn to every now and again pull back a little and just enjoy the ride.
See, Bernardo. Aaron could beat you in a race, but you'd probably kick his ass in raquetball or basketball. I maybe a 10 minute-miler....but I can dance circles around the both of you. We all have our talents. You didn't watch enough Mr. Rogers as a child....clearly.
Bernardo could definitely kill me at basketball. Unless points were awarded for throwing the ball over the backboard, then I would stomp your ass. I understand the game, and I love to watch it but I can't play worth a (Hoover) damn.
I'm pretty competitive with myself when I run and I want to go faster every time but that just gets you injured and it means you're in pain every time you run. I have to remind myself to slow down and enjoy the run and so I'm able to go fast on hard days and races.
I don't know if you could dance circles around me if I've had enough beer and disco music is playing. I usually only cut loose when I'm at home with my wife and kid but my dad was raging like a disco inferno at my wedding and Kim was like, "I see where you get your moves from."
Most times I stick with the white boy position. Hands up, elbows bent at 90 degrees, stepping side-to-side, and trying to keep the white guy overbite off my face.
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