How To Start Running?
It’s quite a simple question that many people struggle with.
Running is an amazing leveller. It levels my mind, levels my mood and most certainly levels my weight. It’s my guilty little pleasure. Without it, I’d have to find some form of replacement which would most likely involve a bike or pub and probably both.
Some background. I’m fifty-two years old and have been running since I could run. That is since I stood up and walked as a child. I ran at school and was awful, even the heavier kids could fly past me in the 100 metres. I remember being in the changing room at school and hearing another kid talk about me without knowing I was in earshot. He was quite mature for an eleven-year-old with respect to the school football team when he stated with unerring accuracy “…has a lot of skill, but has no pace.” I plodded along.
I didn’t know at the time whether to feel flattered or not and never let on I’d heard those words. He was right.
Another description of me was “It’s like he is ice skating when he runs.”
If you can understand I’m in no way a natural.
As much as I ran from my early years as all youngsters do that stopped at about the age of thirteen when I discovered going out, staying out and generally not taking particular care of myself. This hiatus lasted until the year approaching my thirtieth birthday.
I didn’t realise at the time that my mind and subsequently my body took over.
Mental Health to Physical Health
I had endured my mid to late twenties with mental health issues.
Panic attacks, breathlessness and manic brisk walking to escape my twitchiness were common places. A hospital visit where I ticked every negative marker for stress was enlightening.
If you can appreciate, I did the things I shouldn’t and didn’t do the things I should. I look back with some thankfulness for my anxiety as it has undoubtedly made me very aware of how my body feels, how strong my mind is and the need to take care of oneself.
Piece by piece my subconscious took control.
When aged twenty-nine I suddenly found myself purchasing a completely unnecessary car (I commuted to London daily and could walk to the station).
I don’t recall exactly how I justified it but shortly after found myself touring a not so local gym – nearer my parents than my own home.
Maybe the car was to visit them more often and the gym was convenient. It really was a blur. As you can imagine that stress boy is now driving an expensive car to his parents regularly and making time to visit a gym full of meatheads.
Even typing that feels like a long way from the person I was at that time in my life.
Even so, there it was. Gradually I walked and jogged a bit on the running machine. I was never overweight but aerobically in poor shape. I drank too much and still smoked. The elevated heart rate from the running machine scared me – it really did. It felt like it was trying to escape from my chest. Little by little I improved. I did still race home in the expensive car after each session to have a post-run cigarette. My very own yin and yang.
Secretly buoyed by the non-planned car purchase, gym membership and doing a bit of exercise the next self-oblivious decision I made was to quit smoking on the celebration evening of my thirtieth birthday. I arrived home early hours with two Marlboro lights left and kept them for the last day of that part of my life.
Later that morning I thoroughly butt-sucked both with a cup of coffee and fought the urge to go and buy some more. I persevered, eventually went for a run over the next few days and smoking is no longer something I consider.
Looking back now I realise that running became a substitute for smoking and I needed something to replace it. Little did I know that it had chosen me too over the preceding year via car purchase, gym joining and stopping the smokes.
Digression again – I’m sorry.
The Story Now
In my early fifties fit and healthy as far as I know. I’m slim, some six kilos below my pre-running weight.
Look at this chart from January 2016 when I started efficiently recording my weight on a regular basis. I was even heavier by some three to four kilos before.
We can see:-
- My weight has definitely dropped
- My weight is pretty consistent
- I do have increases (summer holiday indulgence and Christmas)
- The increase drops away quickly
Also, I have a low resting heart rate that I record on my fitness watch which is amazing. During routine medicals, doctors have commented how my rate is impressively low very likely due to my regular running activities.
This chart shows:-
- Consistent low average RHR
- Seasonal fluctations ( a few beers on holiday)
- Some correlation with reduced weight
I can crack out a decent 10 Km on demand and go out in all weathers, on differing terrains and whether light or dark.
This chart display my average pace per Km for runs over 10 Km i.e. 5.00 is a 50 minute 10 Km.
Again pretty consistent given I am some six years older on the right hand side. NB the clear anomalie is on holiday in Spain, roasting hot summer day a little bit hungover.
I now don’t run in order to fight or flight escape my mental and physical insecurities. I do it because it’s part of who I am.
While nursing a little tweak recently and having a rest I was reminded exactly how running helps me. As I said at the start it levels me. I’m calmer and more focussed, and I sleep better. I struggle to find a negative. Acquaintances call out their own knee problems or some other reason/excuse for not running. That’s their business. Most of these people choose no other form of exercise by way of replacement. Again that’s their business.
I don’t recall ever wanting to be a runner/jogger (whatever you care to badge it as). It was never an ambition to pound the pavement, wear lycra, have an oversize watch, track my runs and step sweatily out of my shorts.
Running has taken over my life in parts. It has changed me physically and mentally. I thoroughly recommend it on so many levels.
So there we have it, my story of how it all started and continues for me. I’m not a medical professional or qualified trainer. I do know however that getting out to run and the feelings I experience after each session absolutely provide me with some tangible benefits. It makes me feel good. I am more relaxed and get to view things I wouldn’t at home. I immerse myself in ever-changing seasons and weather. The medical term I understand is endorphins which are released from the body. For me, it’s post-race glow.
I hope you found this of interest. Please let me know your story in the comments.
TLDR – yes get out and improve your life, start slow, find what works for you
