Monday, 28 November 2011

Running

A wise runner I had great faith and admiration in, once shared with me a piece of advice and I quote it every time I start running again..
"Everyone started somewhere.  Even marathon runners, they start by running around the block".
So simple. So true. 

If you want to run, you can.  Because everyone starts somewhere.  Cue self-portait of me running :)
Step 1:  Motivation.    
No gym membership comes close to the satisfaction that new running clothes can bring.
They don't expire. They don't make you feel guilty when you don't use them. They just sit there all pretty until you are ready to pull them out from your workout drawer again. They are an investment.


These sneakers are actually my walkers and light joggers. Invest in some good quality bio-metrically prescribed shoes that a foot specialist fits you to. Try Saucony, Mizuno or New Balance at Shoe Clinic.

Ex-boyfriend number two scoffed at me for buying running shoes when I declared that I would become a runner. Yes, SCOFFED at me. (Note the EX-boyfriend status of that sentence). His negativity was motivation enough. I thought about his cutting comment every moment for two years while I ran. I ran off ten kilos. I ran 10km races. I ran down rivers, through forests, around parks in winter, through parks in summer. I ran away from him and into my new future.
I started running 2/3 times per week. I then ran 10km races around parks in weekends.

 The Regents Park, London 10km Mornington Chasers Running Club meet every first Sunday. 2007

 Irchester, United Kingdom, 10km.  Hard slog through forests and uphills.  July 2006

 Huntly Half-Marathon 2010.  Training for 13-16kms for 2/3 per week for 6 weeks in advance.


Step 2:  Read for inspiration
Kerre Woodham. "Short Fat Chick to Marathon Runner".   Irksome but addicting.  I picked this up in the aisle at The Warehouse one Christmas Eve to have a giggle at.  Got through a chapter, then bought it.
She also has a great training programme in her book based on the Arthur Lydiard regime and Waitakere Rats Race.  
If she can do it, you can.


And into crazytown....  Lisa Tamati.   Running Hot.
A NZ girl and with crazy stories about desert running. She is an inspiration.

Extreme crazy:   Dean Karnazes.   Ultra-marathon runner.   A great read, but I warn you. He is mental.
50 marathons in 50 days? Enough said.

Step 3:  Ipod headphones.
My favourite running headphones are Sony's. (Not those shoddy white Apple ones. They are a disgrace to the company and fall out constantly).  Running headphones are the key.  They need to be rubberised. 
And a decent playlist of running tracks with a mix of Ministry of Sound, dance anthems and some heedy girly power ballards like the Supremes, Aretha Franklin or some such. 


Step 4:  No excuses. Every excuse is a bad reason.  It is true. You can think of every reason not to run.  Just think of one reason you can. Too hungover? Run anyway. Too cold? Run anyway. Too sore? Run anyway. Not enough time? Make time.


Something else that is true:  Running will never make you feel more tired.  Really?  Try it. It honestly doesn't.

And another self-portrait out running.  No, I'm not "thumbs-upping" you.   This is how I naturally run.

Budgie xo

1 comment:

  1. Loving the blog Budgie!

    Can't agree with you more on this. Another favourite under the 'no excuses' heading - you never regret going running, you only regret *not* running!
    My first half-marathon last year was one of my proudest achievements. To anyone considering entering a competition run, be it 5km or 95km - I say do it!
    Love the in-situ running pics ;o)

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