Running

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?