Guest Post: Walk Before You Can Run
Hello Carrots N’ Cake Readers, this is Monica from Run,Eat,Repeat.
One of the questions I get asked most often is “How do you run so much? I could never run x miles…”
Well, I didn’t always run folks. Good ol’ Run,Eat,Repeat started by walking.
After graduating from high school I wanted to lose weight. I had always been a little overweight (sometimes more than others) and was determined to lose weight and get healthy! I started by walking. I would take walks with my BFF, but when she wasn’t around I would walk on my grandma’s treadmill.
After a while I got my own treadmill and set it up in my bedroom. I would walk 5 days a week. I really enjoyed it and I was losing weight and getting in shape.
After a few months of walking on the ‘mill, I began to get bored of it and attempted to run for a bit. I did just a few minutes on and off for the duration of my work out and really loved it. I did that for a week or so and ran a little more, and then a little more, until I was running for one hour at a time before school.
I was still too embarrassed to run outside so I stuck to the treadmill for about a year. Finally, my boyfriend at the time agreed to go for a run with me at the beach. I ended up running six miles non-stop (and completely losing him!). It felt so good and I was so proud of myself. I was a runner!
A few months later I ran a 10K with a friend. Then, I did a half marathon and the rest is history…. I love running. Now it’s a very important part of my life.
But, I always remind my readers and friends – I started with walking. It took a long time for me to get where I am today (which is training for a marathon!). It did not happen overnight, and part of the fun was the journey to get me here. Every race I’ve trained for has taught me something. And I’ve actually learned the most from my “bad” runs! You learn a lot about yourself when it’s just you and the sound of your feet hitting the ground. Enjoy that part, live in the moment – it’s part of the process.
If you are a beginning runner I suggest checking out a Couch to 5K program. If you’re looking to increase mileage and are having a hard time with injuries or stamina, a walk/run program like the Galloway Method is great.
Beginning Running Rules to Remember:
- Listen to your body, be patient
- Fuel yourself well (if you’re asking your body to perform like an athlete, fuel like one)
- Rest enough (I am currently running 4 days a week, 2 days of active rest)
- Don’t increase mileage more than 10% per week
- If you are in pain, don’t push it – injury prevention is better than injury treatment
- Be patient with yourself, you’ll get there. Enjoy the ride, or should I say – “Enjoy the run!”
Have fun and thanks for reading! For more running stories, tips and motivation check me out at Run,Eat,Repeat.
Posted by: Tina 19 comments
Posted in: guest blogger
Tags: walk before you can run
on Nov 21st, 2009 at 7:57 pm
I agree–anyone can be a runner! I was a total asthmatic non-running kid but all you have to do is start slow and it’ll come. Great post!
on Nov 21st, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Whatever you’re holding in that first pic looks *amazing.* I love, love, love soup in sourdough bread bowls, it is one of my fave winter meals! I am excited to check out your blog.
on Nov 21st, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Ahhh this is exactly what I need. I can’t run!
on Nov 21st, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Great guest post! I love Monica’s blog. She has such a fun sense of humor
on Nov 21st, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Great post! I also get the I can never run as well as you well I’m not even that good and have been running for a barely a year! Not even if you don’t count the time pre 4 month lay off. I was so out of shape couldn’t even run a mile to start! Everyone starts somewhere running is a building process and you will get what you put in it out.
on Nov 21st, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Love this post! I have had a very similar experience with running, it was a long process but totally worth it. I started by walk/run-ing too!
on Nov 21st, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Walking was the way I got to running too. And I love it now. I can’t wait to train for a marathon
on Nov 21st, 2009 at 9:49 pm
great guest post!
jenna
on Nov 21st, 2009 at 9:56 pm
I became a runner through doing couch to 5k & I ended up getting my husband, brother and sister-in-law into it because it was such a great program! A year and 1/2 later I’m 20lbs slimmer (much more appropriate for my frame) and have learned to enjoy running and have it as a part of normal life. So cool to read your story of starting slow & staying strong!
on Nov 21st, 2009 at 10:28 pm
You have really got some drive, sister! I finally dragged my treadmill out of the garage and put in in the house. Now I use it every day, but I have to set the alarm on my cell phone to *make* myself break away from what I’m doing or I will conveniently forget to do it.
on Nov 21st, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Monica, you are awesome!! I could totally relate to everything you posted here – and I’m running my first half marathon in May! Thanks for the motivation!
on Nov 21st, 2009 at 10:50 pm
I also get that about how much I run. I started off running about 3 miles a week and each week I increased my mileage up by one mile. I got up to 14 miles before my half marathon labor Day weekend. (run time was 1:52:25!!!) After this I try to run 30-40 miles a week in about 3-4 day (running usually every other day). I also do the elliptical and strength training during the week. However I just took up boxing/kickboxing so help occupy my time due to the winter fast approaching and hard to run outside.
on Nov 22nd, 2009 at 8:25 am
Wonderful tips! I, too, started by walking, and a day trip to Disney during marathon weekend inspired me to see if I could run enough to do a 5k. It turned out, I could!
Your tips are great. I felt daunted in the beginning, but I used the Galloway method and my most recent long run was up to 8 miles. It’s true that if you just start small and stick with it, you’ll accomplish BIG things!
on Nov 22nd, 2009 at 5:55 pm
this is such an inspiring post – thanks so much Monica =)
I hope to be able to start walking then running someday too!
on Nov 22nd, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Thanks for putting up my guest post Tina!
on Nov 23rd, 2009 at 4:51 pm
I love Monica’s blog! She’s a trip.
on Nov 23rd, 2009 at 5:49 pm
It’s a metaphor for life, right? You gotta walk before you can run.
Great tips.
BODA weight loss
on Nov 28th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
I did the couch to 5k program to train for my first 5k. It was great!
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