Here We Go Again...

I tried running today.

It wasn't the most successful outing. I had a long warm up walk, and then attempted to start running my old run/walk ration of 3min. run/2min. walk, resulting in a 15 minute mile (slow, I know). As it turns out, I am much more out of shape than I thought. I suppose it doesn't help that I haven't been doing any strenuous physical activities as of late, and the fact that I'm just getting over being sick, which triggered my asthma.

The first interval was fine. I was winded, as expected, but when I got off my walk interval, I noticed that I really couldn't hang. My lungs started hurting, and my side started aching. It was very uncomfortable, and even though I wanted to push myself, I knew that it was better I just succumb to what my body was telling me, so I just decided to walk. I had a pretty brisk pace, and walked around the entire outside perimeter of the park, which I reckon is about a mile, since I was able to walk around the whole thing in less than 20 minutes, and I naturally walk a 20 minute mile.

I figure I might as well keep track of my progress to see if my stamina and distance is improving:

TODAY: Sunday, January 13
LAP 1: 18.30.59
LAP 2: 18.24.90
LAP 3: 18.45.66
TOTAL: 55.41.15

Not bad, but I could do better.

I guess it's probably good to get myself back into shape, no matter what. I suppose the motivation that I'm going to Hawaii in less than a month is a big motivator as well.

At least I do have the time to devote to working out. It's also really therapeutic. As great as it is to run with someone else, there's something I really love about running on my own. I think I've written someplace else that it's really great to get around and get yourself moving physically, but it's such a meditative thing for me. My mind wanders everywhere when I run, especially when I don't have to worry about my personal safety too much (i.e. running the streets). In a way, I don't really like running the same course over and over again, but at the same time, it's great to be able to mentally monitor your own progress by keeping tabs on mental checkpoints. It's also great to get into autopilot as you start familiarizing yourself with the terrain, and any hazards I may want to avoid (like dog poo, of which there was).

I'd like to make this a regular thing. I definitely need it. It was a strange feeling putting on my running shoes again; I have no recollection as to when I last put them on. I think I went running sometime in 2007, and if I did, it may have been once. It was once again great to get that feeling of support and comfort from the shoe, and was instantly reminded of the times I had with that pair, as this was the pair that got me through New Orleans that amazing day. I even started feeling the problem spots, like that part of the left tongue that digs into my foot uncomfortably, which became a mental weight as it started causing lots of discomfort during the marathon, which left a pretty welt on my foot for the rest of the week.

Either way, it was great to be out again, and finally out at the park I've always wanted to "run." I look forward to making this become a regular thing, as I really do need it in oh so many ways...