Why I started running
I’ve always hated running. Maybe it had to do with not being able to breathe (I have asthma), or that’s it exhausting, but I recently decided that I want to be in great cardiovascular shape so I started running this year and now I’m addicted, and run 5 miles without stopping. It’s still hard work, but I use my inhaler before I leave the house for my runs so wheezing is no longer an issue. I also make sure to drink at least 20 ounces of water (on hot days, this is not enough), eat a tiny amount of salt, and drink a 16 ounce frozen banana-protein smoothie before I hit the ground running.
I used to carry a water bottle and drink it during the run which I liked, but it also threw me off balance and slowed me down. It seems odd to me that so few people warm up before running, but I like that people stare at me when I do lunges and squats to warm up my legs. A woman walked by me last week last week as I was doing my squats and yelled, “You go girl!”
Another benefit of running is strong calves, and runners are typically lean and I want to lean out a bit more. Here’s what’s also cool about running, “…people typically burn more calories per minute when running than they do when swimming, riding a bike, or whatever else. The main reason seems to be that people typically burn more calories per minute when running than they do when swimming, riding a bike, or whatever else” (1). Yup, running is a speedier exercise for losing weight.
I don’t want to run a marathon, I just want to compete against myself, keep beating my time, and wave at the other runners. I don’t wear ear buds and block out nature with music. I listen to the birds chirp and the sounds of my feet to make sure I’m not pounding the ground like a little elephant. Try running, you might learn to like it.
photo: me running at Mission Bay, San Diego, CA USA
I really like the fact that you don’t wear earbuds which block out the surrounding sounds of nature. I’ve seen so many people outdoors walking in parks or in their neighborhoods wearing earbuds or using their cell phones completely out of communication with their lovely surroundings. That is so sad.