I guess I am becoming a runner although I am not sure I will ever be able to call myself one. I never really thought I would be able to or enjoy it for that matter. I have some lower back issues and a few years back I started running since my husband (boyfriend at the time) was a runner. Let's just say it was awful! My back was killing me all time and I could barely walk. After seeing an orthopedic specialist, I learned that I have some degenerative discs and that I likely would never be able to run outside. This didn't really upset me since I didn't enjoy running because of the pain it caused so I kind of forgot about it (even though I had all this new running gear).
Last year when I started walking, I realized I enjoyed being outside and enjoyed the time to myself to think and unwind. After spending 11 months walking and even walking a half marathon, I realized I really wanted to try to run. I knew I was in better shape but I wasn't sure how my back would handle it.
I decided to try to start running November 17th. I set a goal to run my first 5K - the Frisco Frosty 5K on December 8th. I knew I had time to make it as long as my back held out. My first run was not pretty. I ran 3.19 miles in 37:07.87. I wanted to run the entire time but around 2.3 I realized my hip/back were hurting so I walked fast for a half a mile and then picked back up the pace. I wasn't happy with my first run but my back didn't hurt. So I thought that I might be able to do this. The next weekend I decided I was going to run the entire time and ran 3.43 miles in 36:45 so I was getting faster. I knew I would be ready for my 5K in December.
I ran the Frisco Frosty 5K on December 8th and had the best time! I ran the entire route and felt great with no back issues. I ran the 5K in 32:07, I couldn't believe how much time I shaved off my first time running but I did it.
Sine the first 5K, I have ran two more with my time dropping each time. My personal best right now is 30:18 (hopefully at some point I will drop below 30!)
I decided the middle of December that I was going to run a half marathon. So I signed up for the DRC Training Group and have hit the ground training. Our training schedule called for running 5 days a week. I tried that the first week and realized my back wasn't a fan (maybe it will be eventually) but I was worried. I didn't know how I was going to be able to train if my back was acting up. But then I thought about our elliptical at home and decided I could make it work. We have 2 days a week that are recovery runs (which are slow) so I decided for now that I will be doing my recovery runs on the elliptical to give my back a break. I hope to eventually be able to do the 5 days a week but for now 3 days a week seem perfect and I should be able to stick to my training. I will post more about my training and even show off some of the stuff I wear when running.
Do you like to run? Have you ran any races?
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