Confession: I’m Not Loving Running

I got a text from Running Man Tuesday saying he wasn’t going to be able to make our scheduled run. I called him and he told me he was getting ready to move tomorrow. I knew he was moving in the next couple of months, but didn’t expect it to be that quick. He’s not sure where he’s moving yet. He was trying to buy a townhouse but it fell through. So now he’s moving, and he’s not sure where which means I have no idea if I’m going to have a running partner any longer.

Though I was sad at the prospect of not running with a partner that night or ever again, I was semi-determined to go running anyways. So I found my little SanDisk Clip mp3 player, downloaded some of my favorite podcasts and a couch to 5k audio podcast and strapped on my Mio Heart Rate Watch. Can you tell I have an affinity for technology and gadgets? Unfortunately though my love of gadgets didn’t love me back that night. I went to sync and couldn’t find my USB cord. I searched. And searched. I had Sarcasm take all the cushions off the couch, I tore up our study, I laid out all my cords in straight lines and triple checked that it wasn’t there. Finally, I resigned myself to the fact I wasn’t going to find it and wasn’t going to go running.

Truth is, I’m not loving running. I want to. I really, really do. Yet every time it’s running time, I have to force myself to go. I feel great afterwards but it’s a more “Yay! I actually am sticking with the plan!” happiness not an “Oh my! This runner’s high is FABULOUS!” happiness. Maybe it’s because I’m still a beginner and my endurance isn’t built up yet. While I can feel measurable improvement in my stamina and have noticed I can do the program with less strain each time, it still feels like work. And it is un-fun. Yoga, swimming, weight lifting- I find those things fun. Even when my breathing is labored, I’m dripping in sweat, and can feel muscles I’ve never felt before, I generally enjoy these exercises.

But I’m sticking with it. Why?
~ Because I think there has to be a light at the end of this tunnel.
~ Because my thighs are growing more muscular and defined each week.
~ Because running is one of the quickest ways to drop weight.
~ Because it’s cheap.
~ Because my dog has come to expect and love our journeys around the neighborhood.
~ Because I’m running a 5k with my father on Thanksgiving morning.
~ Because I am physically able to run and should be thankful for that.
~ Because runners are bad-asses. I want to be a bad-ass and run in the rain and have people drive by me and say “Damn, that’s dedication!”

To help alleviate shin splints, beginning runners fatigue/frustration, and gain a good dose of motivation I’ve gathered the following links. Enjoy!

Link Love:

• MapMyRun.com is a site where you can easily plot maps of your runs without a GPS, search for runs or routes globally, keep track of your routes including distances, and even calculate how many calories you’ve burned on one route versus another!
• Zen Habits (one of my all-time favorite blogs) has a Beginner’s Guide to Running.
• About.com has tips for getting motivated to run.
• Runner’s World has an awesome beginning runner’s blog.
• Kirk over at My Weight Loss Journey blogs about his first 5k.
• Runner’s Rescue has an overview of shin splints and how to treat them
• FitSugar says RELAX!

Tonight I’ll lace up my shoes, strap on a high-impact support sports bra, grab Scooby, and run.