7K and I am not puffed?

byUltimateless

3.3K followers

Updated 8 years ago

Following on for the need to exercise.

Although I couldn't run yesterday morning I managed to yesterday evening.

So I walked about 1 kilometer to the running track. The track is called the Bay Run.

The Bay Run is 7 kilometers all the way around. So I started running from Arthur Street.

I go into my slow shuffle, barely one toe nail in front of the other. In fact I think I am doing the Moonwalk! No wait, I have passed Duke Avenue, yes the buildings are going behind me and not in front. YAY! I am headed in the right direction.

I think I just overtook 3 snails! HA! I spit on you! (NO I didn't, that would be bad sportsmanship, plus, I don't spit in public!)

As I finally get into my stride (WOW! That sounded impressive didn't it?) yes my stride, I remember the lesson, run within your breath. If I feel like panting, I slow down and vice versa.

I am jogging/shuffling along the Bay. Each 20 meters feels like my last and I am ready to quit. But as I reach this goal, I set another, 20 more meters. I am very good at doing bite sized running goals. I don't expect to run the full 7 kilometers, maybe half a kilometer.

Then it happens, I have managed to run for 2 kilometers, not panting, slightly laboured breathing, but I can handle that.

As I am running, I am aware that my left foot is going to sleep. How is that even possible? Doesn't my foot realise I am running/shuffling? Obviously not because it carries on sleeping oblivious to my rantings. This is a sign from the universe to stop, I have done enough, no need to suffer any more!

This is really weird, I ignore my foot. After all my foot is ignoring me!

As if that isn't enough, my thighs start to hurt, I am feeling muscles that I never knew existed, and I wish they didn't! They were also telling me, time's up buddy, desist, stop and do not carry on with this foolishness. I will make you suffer like you've never suffered before, my body kept taunting me.

I carry on. The best part about running the Bay is, nearly everyone goes around the Bay anti-clockwise (counter-clockwise for my American friends) and I run clockwise. So I don't get overtaken by anyone, well three people in total. But I, on the other hand, I get to pass all these people going the other way which is less demoralising.

Also, the hills (who am I kidding? The slight inclines) are shallower this way round and the downhill slopes are steeper.

So I manage the gentle slope up to Iron Cove Bridge, across the Bridge and then it's a steeper descent. Now I look like I am running like a professional. As the ground drops away my strides look longer and I look like a runner! By this time I am not sure what has happened to my left foot and I am not game to look down to see if it is there or not.

I keep running/shuffling, still only slightly laboured breathing. You'll never guess what? I overtake the same three snails again! YAY! Except, I realise that they were going the other way all this time, drat!

Unbelievably I have run the whole 7 kilometers without stopping to walk. There were many reasons to stop, like we have these little gyms along the track where you can stretch and do weights, push ups and other such nonsense and I did not stop!

Finally I stop to walk and cross the road to go back home. Then my knees turn to jelly (if you have ever watched the Thunderbirds puppets, that is exactly how my knees felt) but after about five minutes walking they come right again. I don't stop to do all those athletic stretches that everyone else is doing, because, I figure, if I stop I won't be able to get going again.

I walk the 1 kilometer back home and collapse in a heap. I think to myself I am going to pay dearly for this in pain and suffering come the morrow!

Next day and apart from slight back ache and tight leg muscles I am actually okay! How do you figure that?

Sorry this was so long, but this is the abbreviated version. Stay strong and vibrant!