Life Lessons: Running Challenge comes to a close
Giveaway Winner
And the winner of the FitNutz powdered peanut butter giveaway is… Charlotte! Email me your mailing address and I’ll get your FitNutz sent straight to you. We’re all interested in this PB popcorn that you spoke of so you know that now we’ll all be expecting you to test it out and tell us how it is 😉
Run A Race This Summer Challenge
The challenge is still on for those of you who want to participate but haven’t yet taken part in a race. As of tomorrow morning, I will have completed this challenge! I’m incredibly excited to run my first ever race (we’re not counting elementary school. I used to run track “way back in the day” but my memories of running those races are hazy at best). I’m especially excited because a few days ago one of my best friends offered to run the race with me, so it will be fun to have someone else there to celebrate this achievement.
I didn’t exactly follow a training schedule (even though there are many fit bloggers out there that seem to be involved in the Couch 2 5k and it sounds like a really great program), but instead ran a couple times each week for about two months now, 30-45 minutes at a time. I can keep up a very steady pace that entire time so I know that my endurance has increased considerably.
A couple weeks ago Caroline and I went for a run. I set the pace because she’s a marathon runner and has far more experience with running and races than I do. But by the end of our run, she said that the pace that we had gone at was the same pace that she usually runs at! That was a real compliment. It’s good to know that I might be faster than I thought I was.
She also told me that she usually runs on the road rather than the sidewalk because the surface is gentler on the joints. I hadn’t thought about that before, but now that I’ve started running on the road I’ve realized that there really is a difference. The ground almost feels springier. It’s such a simple thing but it really delighted me to learn that about running. Starting a new activity can be intimidating because you don’t know anything about it or have any idea what you’re getting yourself into… but that’s also what makes it interesting and so much fun! That might be why I want to try many different kinds of activities.
From this challenge, I have discovered that running in the rain is invigorating. That doing an extra loop around the block can put a smile on your face for the rest of the day. That you can move fast and become powerful in brief spurts of sprinting. That arriving home out of breath and with a slight stitch in your side is the blissful feeling of accomplishment. That walking is still my favorite activity, but running is no longer my enemy. That I sometimes kind of sort of might enjoy running.
What have you learned from this fitness challenge?
I love when charlotte wins things as it feels like we’re throwing her a virtual BABY SHOWER.
oooh, now there’s an idea 🙂
I didn’t participate in a formal challenge, but this summer, mainly because of a knee issue, I’ve been doing a lot of biking. I’m amazed at the different muscles I’ve developed just from biking as opposed to running/walking!
Good luck on your race, and have a great weekend!
i love that last paragraph! those are beautiful words, and couldn’t be more true. that feeling of accomplishing something with only our minds and bodies is a truly amazing feeling. congrats, and good luck on your race tomorrow!
I won?!? No way! I’m so excited! And I will def. do a post on the PB popcorn experiment! (MizFit – you crack me up.)
And congrats on all your running accomplishments! It doesn’t seem like too long ago you didn’t even like running and now you’ve done a 180. I’m so glad you’ve discovered a new love:)
Best of luck with the race! Races always seem like such happy occasions–everyone’s nervous and cheerful and optimistic at the start, and happy and relieved at the end. Once you’ve done this one I predict you’ll be hooked!
congrats to the fitznuts winner!
Congratulations to you Sagan for (soon to be ) completing your race challenge!!! That is wonderful your friend decided to join you too. Best of luck !
I’ve been trying more and more new activities lately, myself! I think it keeps us young 🙂
Good luck on your race tomorrow!
Awesome challenge report, Sagan! I love your lessons learned.
have an awesome weekend!
Good luck in your race!! I can’t wait for the recap. It sounds like you’ve discovered some great things along the way, Sagan!
MizFit- oooh I like that idea!
Diane- that’s why biking and running are such good supplements for each other 🙂
Leslie & Cammy- thanks!
Charlotte- I’m so confused by the enjoyment of running, hehe.
Lisa- I’m really looking forward to the whole excited atmosphere of a race.
bhealthier- it’s going to be DOUBLE the fun with someone else there 🙂
Kimberly & Holly- I think so. So much to learn!
Good for you! Go out slow in the race so you can pass lots of folks toward the finish 🙂
Good luck in your race tomorrow and congratulations on getting into a running routine! Like Dr. J says, don’t go too fast in the beginning. It’s so easy to let your excitement get the best of you, but it feels so good to save up for a strong finish.
I love the roads vs. sidewalks tip. I’ve heard it before but I always forget to put it into practice!
good luck!! that’s exactly how i got hooked 😉
Good luck!! You’re going to be awesome 🙂
Thanks for the sweet comments recently, and sorry for my commenting absence. I think I’m back to more regular commenting now though.
I’ve heard that thing about running on the road too – it definitely helps.
Dr. J & NoMeatAthlete- I’ll be sure to go at a reasonable pace 🙂 It would suck to go along halfway and then be completely wiped.
ttfn300- Must admit that I’ve already been looking to see what other races there are this summer. But shhhh don’t tell anyone. They might think I actually LIKE running, and then I might have to actually go through with running more races. And, well, we can’t have that! (hehehe).
Maggie- no worries! We all need to make sure we’re going out and LIVING life rather than just blogging about it 🙂
HOW DID IT GO?!?!?!?!?!?
I’m so excited for you, I’ve had my fingers crossed for you all morning! The first race is such an empowering, rewarding, and gratifying experience. I hope you had fun and were pleased with your performance. I look forward to you post recapping the event!
Can’t wait to hear about your race! 😀 I bet you rocked it!
What a coincidence that my first run was last June 2nd and your Race Challenge post was on the 3rd. Although I did not join a race this summer, I did learn A LOT since that day I went out and decided to run.
Good job! I was hoping to run a 5K in my hometown this summer, but apparently they cancelled it due to lack of interest before I even had a chance to sign up! Maybe there will be another chance later.
Yes, running on asphalt is sooo much better than on concrete sidewalks. Run on the road whenever possible!
Congratulations on making it this far. I’m curious if you plan to continue running?