I am sitting on the couch in my living room after having walked downstairs from the top floor, wincing in pain with every step.
Two days ago I ran for about 4 miles after not having run at all for months. I forgot how muscles can ache when you suddenly push them to do something they’re not used to anymore.
So, why am I sitting with a silly smile on my face with all this pain?
It’s because my love for running has been rekindled and it feels great.
How I Got The Urge To Run
I recently went on a trip with some family members. We traveled for 3 days and had a blast. My sister in-law, whom I haven’t seen in a while, was also on the trip. She started running frequently a few months ago and I was stunned by the change she went through. She not only looked great, but she had more energy and she expressed such a love for running and sadness that she couldn’t run during our trip, that I recalled how I was once in love with running.
In the past I used to run quite a lot. I ran long distance and for a while did two half-marathons each and every week. I was actually addicted to running at that time. It was a good addiction, one of the best you can find. Eventually, though, I lost my taste for running. It was as if I just had enough and didn’t see the point in continuing with it.
After I saw my sister in-law, I suddenly felt the desire to run again. I envied her addiction to it and I wanted to experience the same kind of energy too.
So, I bought a pair of new running shoes (actually two pairs because they were on sale) and I went to my first run in many months. It was a beautiful day, not hot and not cold, no wind to keep you back. The perfect day for a run.
As I started to move I felt how heavy I’ve become. I haven’t gained weight, but I lost the spring in my step. It was difficult to move as I was used to. The scary thing is that I wasn’t aware of this. It took me by total surprise. I expected to feel lighter.
My First Run
When I started to run I wanted to complete a 10k route. In my mind I knew that this was foolish as I haven’t run for a long time, but I still wanted to do it and would have done so if I wasn’t feeling so heavy.
The first few steps were the hardest in the entire run. They always are for me. It takes me time to build up my speed and rhythm. After that, it was pretty smooth sailing for the entire run. A slow sailing, for sure, but still relatively smooth.
I had a great time. My mind cleared. I enjoyed the air and felt connected to my body in a way that only running provides. I wished I could go further, run longer, but I gave up as I felt that I had done enough for that day.
Now, I’m glad I stopped because my muscles ache enough to show that I may have overdid it a bit as it were. I’m now waiting for the pain to subside a bit before I go out running again.
Running Plans For The Future
I plan to run again once the muscle pain goes down a bit (I actually enjoy it a bit). I am going to build it up quickly to around 10K. I am going to add this to my current strength training routine and I have a feeling I’m going to get pretty cut due to the added fat loss that all this running is going to produce. I may even join a running group to make it more of a social thing this time around (to avoid renewed boredom).
If you were once in love with running and you stopped doing it for some reason, give it another try. You may find that the urge to do it has returned and that you’re ready to challenge yourself again with this awesome cardio workout. See you ’round the track.
