You may recall that I wrote in February about my having started running. I ended the post by saying,
I’m scheduled to complete the program on April 2. I’ll get back to you then!
And you’ll also note that I did not get back to you then, or since.
What happened was not good. The Nike program was a little much. As it ramped up, I wasn’t up to the task. In retrospect, I should have listened to those around me. I said that I know many runners. Well, every one of them expressed concern that the Nike program had me running six days a week. It was going fine so I paid no notice.
I paid no notice until the pain started. I recall one evening I went to the movies with friends. As I stood in the theatre lobby, I felt shooting pain in my shin. I wasn’t walking or moving my legs at all. This never happened often, but it hurt like a bastard when it happened. I took it as a sign and stopped the Nike program entirely.
I still don’t entirely understand my reaction to stopping. I felt pain and that’s not a good sign so of course stopping was the right thing to do. I put running entirely out of my mind. Why? I eventually figured out that it felt like I’d failed. Of course that wasn’t it. There are many ways to learn how to run, and the Nike program didn’t work for me. It was simply the wrong way for me to go about it. Still though, I couldn’t shake that feeling.
It took a long time for me to get past it. I didn’t do it on my own. What happened was Rustin signed up for the Running Room’s learn to run clinic with me. I’ve been at it for three weeks now and it’s going well.
It’s a ten week clinic and by the end of it, we’ll be able to run for 20 minutes. Or something like that. This week, we’re up to running for two minutes with a one minute walk break, seven times. It’s difficult. Very difficult. Every week we increase the run duration and every week I feel like I can’t finish, but I do. There’s been no pain, just complaints from my muscles and plenty of laboured breathing.
So far, so good. I’ll let you know how it went after the tenth week, in early August.
Scott Taylor
It does get easier if you keep it up Rick. I am up to 5 klms which takes me about 31 minutes. The first klm is always the hardest.
Brent Sandvold
Fantastic. I am glad you discovered the Running Room on your own. If I told you to do that, you would probably say no. They have good people and you will meet plenty of others just like yourself. Good luck, you have my full support if you need it.