From zero running to 4K in 3 months. I couldn’t even run 100 meters. But I kinda learned how to do it. Watched a little videos and got some visual input. Then went out and tried. LOL!
Photo by Quino Al
I initially thought it would help lose some weight… truth, it hasn’t. Well, not as much as I expected. I managed to eat quite a bit in Japan in 10 days… so I used it to bring my weight back to about 84kg. A little higher than at the start of the summer…
So I ran (well walked?) my first 4K in September with some training, then again in October where I ran 90% of the run. I’m running another on Saturday… where I WILL run 100% of the run but the time will be S L O W (ie. about 40 minutes = I don’t honestly care as long as I finish before cut off). On Friday last I was able to run 10K in about 2 hours. I’ve already signed up for a run in Kinmen in January.
I’ve been doing 4Ks since August, running mostly late at night because of the heat. Running in the day heat easily added heat stress while running quietly at night seems easier. But now that winter is fast approaching and day times in tamsui seem drier than night times… I’m going to have to switch to daytime running.
So overall, that was a surprise. But I had intended to start running at some point: I tried at 97kgs (too difficult) then again at 92 (still awkward)… but somehow found the motivation at 85kgs or so do it. It’s been a real blessing as long as I don’t stress out over how little I can actually do today. I hope this encourages you to begin or keep going.
My 34″ short pants hang on the rail begging me to try them which I did today. Could get them on and close the button… but the breath-in was a little extreme. Sigh!!
So the goals are to run typical 10Ks once a week or so until January. But I’m going to need additional strength training, a better diet and better sleep, if I want to run 13Ks or 21Ks next year more often. I may also need a coach and a more detailed running plan.
Never quit. Never give up. No matter what. You CAN do it.