I have elected to take up running.
I do not have any fondness for it. Like the running clothes I have worn in the past, my memories of running are tired, faded, and mildly malodorous.
In junior high and high school, it was with resignation that I donned my gym clothes (green shorts and tee in junior high; heather grey shorts and navy blue shirt in high school) to run laps. Sweat collected within the mat of my thick hair before pouring forth in steady rivulets down the slope of my forehead, eventually ungracefully splattering on my flushed cheeks. My glasses slipped down my nose and the occasional errant sweat droplet flung itself onto my spectacles, obstructing my view. Though my breaths were synchronized with my footfalls, they did not flow with quiet ease into my lungs; it sounded and felt artificial, mechanical. I envisioned my respiratory system functioning like a soundless accordion generating quarters notes at a clipped allegro. The saliva within my mouth thickened into the consistency of ketchup, my lips dried into the texture of toast, and my tongue felt like a piece of jerky.
Upon crossing the finish line, the sweat dribbled off of my head in earnest as the silent accordion played on, huffing out breathless notes as I felt the blood rush to my skin. It was a warm, uncomfortable radiance; now that the wind resistance had disappeared, heat convection was stymied. I wanted to peel everything off: my moist gym clothes, damp underwear, sticky socks, and heavy shoes. Was there a way to shed my flushed, warm skin?
I didn’t look forward to running. I didn’t enjoy it while I was doing it. And the very, very brief effects of endorphins following the run were simply not rewarding enough for me.
So I decided to give running another try in college.
One of my roommates, an agile, sinewy young man who admired Lenny Kravitz and Jessica Alba, ate dinner off of the cardboard box that once held the futon (before we acquired a real table), and didn’t have enough facial hair to shave even on a weekly basis, was an avid runner.
“Come running with me,” he suggested, probably between guffaws (because if we weren’t laughing at each other, we were laughing at something else equally silly). “It’ll be fun.”
And when he said “Come running with me,” he actually meant, “Let’s go running within the same time period” because there was no way I could keep up with him. He dashed around the outer loops of Drake Stadium as I plodded my way along the middle track, wondering why the heck I was hastening the erosion of the cartilage cushioning my knees. As the sun set behind the West bleachers of the stadium, sending an orange-purple glow over Westwood, we each faithfully completed our revolutions, week after week.
There even came a time when I went running alone—because, really, that’s what we were doing all along: running together, separately.
So I have elected to take up running again. Although I support cardiovascular health, I am in greater support of losing the weight I gained during my intern year. Walking and lindy hop can only burn so many calories. I’m armed with a running schedule from this book, a pair of solid running shoes from the attentive folks from this store, a fresh, unmarked running journal, a public commitment made on this here blog (in following the example of the serial deviant), and a determination that makes steel look as flimsy as silk!
Tomorrow is Day 1.
13 May 2007 |
You’ve got great trails up in the Seattle area! (They also work for biking, which is way easier on the knees, and maybe has fewer bad associations?)
Comment by Bardiac | 13 May 2007 @ 10:06pm
Oops, I hit the post button too soon!
I meant to wish you fun running!
Comment by Bardiac | 13 May 2007 @ 10:07pm
I used to enjoy running quite a bit. It really is all about finding a good rhythm where everything about you is moving in sync as opposed to you fighting your body. Once you reach that stage, you forget that you are running and just enjoy what’s around you.
Having someone to run with also helps a great deal. Not someone like you mention who did laps separate from you, but to run along side. The beat of your stride will often match the person you are running with. There is also the added benefit of the inspiration of good company.
Just for fun, you could run around Green Lake and see if you wind up in any Craigslist missed connection ads. :-)
Comment by Jesse | 13 May 2007 @ 11:00pm
You GAIN weight in your intern year? Damn! I was hoping to shed a few pounds. Get back into shape through exhaustion and fatigue.
Comment by karrvakarela | 14 May 2007 @ 3:20am
I highly recommend the website runningahead.com. It’s a free running log, and there is something very satisfying about inputting your runs.
Comment by misterbeans | 14 May 2007 @ 4:23am
And here I am, having to give up running. It just hurts my joints too much to run long distance now. I think I’m downgrading to walk-jogs.
Comment by andrea | 14 May 2007 @ 5:30am
i am excited that you are thinking of running. take it very easy at first! i think that book will be a great start (i have his ‘the competitive runner’s handbook’ and it is pretty good!). running has helped keep me sane throughout medical school and i really (REALLY) hope to continue as i enter residency this july.
Comment by sarah | 14 May 2007 @ 10:16am
Hope it went well for you!
Comment by catherine | 14 May 2007 @ 3:44pm
For a large part, running is only better than walking in that you can burn your calories faster. Calories burned are fairly close between the two for covering a given distance. There are some extra calories involved used in running, for things like repairing muscles and building/maintaining capillary beds. Some people feel that building strength in the legs helps control hunger but that can supposedly be gotten from weight lifting too.
cough*Atkins*cough
Comment by Terry | 14 May 2007 @ 6:55pm
In case you haven’t received enough advice already:
1. Build up distance slowly. Since you’re a dancer, your muscles and joints are already accustomed to shock and movement, so you could probably push yourself a little harder if you want to. But listen closely to your body (especially your knees and feet).
2. Mp3 player. ‘Nuff said.
Comment by Brad | 14 May 2007 @ 7:39pm
Day 1 went well. :) I ran for two minutes (at a leisurely pace), walked for two minutes (at a brisk pace)… and did that five times. I’ll be increasing my running time so that in about ten weeks, I’ll be running for twenty minutes straight.
I appreciate the encouragement… and how all the runners spoke up and left a comment. :)
Comment by Maria | 14 May 2007 @ 9:24pm
Bardiac’s not kidding, you’ll miss that cartilage when it’s gone. Running’s tough … plantar fasciitis too. I’d consider reconsidering, the dancing and some biking might be the way to go. No offense to the runners, but a large proportion of the population just doesn’t have the joints for it, particularly on asphalt.
Comment by pelican | 14 May 2007 @ 9:46pm
Dear Dr. Maria:
While Bardiac may not be kidding, she is also wrong. A quick literature review will turn up study over study showing that running, when done properly, is not correlated with premature erosion of joint cartilage, changes in joint space, increased occurrence of osteoarthritis, and so forth. Besides, an avid biker myself, I can attest that biking is not nearly as benign as it is made out to be, unless you invest in a recumbent. (If you do, drop me a line; I’d love to show you around.)
As for the how-tos of taking up running, there is only one site you need. A blog written by Dr. Mama http://doctormama.blogspot.com/, you will find clear instructions, nay, _commands_, by looking into the posts tagged “Running” http://doctormama.blogspot.com/search/label/Running — also known as “The Maggot Files”.
Enjoy your runs!
Cheers,
Felix.
Comment by Felix Kasza | 14 May 2007 @ 11:04pm
I was joking about the knees. Sorry. It didn’t work.
I’ve heard that running actually doesn’t damage knees. And biking includes falls and such. But I have fun biking and was joking around.
Anyway, I’m sure Maria knows way more about knees than I ever will!
Comment by Bardiac | 15 May 2007 @ 7:17am
I’ve lost 25 pounds over several months by taking up fast walking every day. But if you are up to running, more power to you.
Comment by Alison | 16 May 2007 @ 8:40pm
Dear Dr. Maria:
How is the running coming along? The past few days were made to make one love being outdoors, and I hope you enjoyed your outings!
Cheers,
Felix.
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