My Journey With Health And Fitness – A Successful Run

Well, it looks like the heat has hit Metro Vancouver. I am always watching the next day’s weather to determing things like appropriate clothing. I looked at what was predicted for today and realized I needed a serious schedule change. Normally on Tuesday’s I walk 5 km to my volunteer gig then walk the 5 km home. However, it said the temperature by time I was to return home would be 27 c and feel like 30 c. And so, after I walked home from the gym I rested for a while and then went out on a 10 km walk. That left me just enough time to shower, eat lunch then head out to volunteer. It was a good choice.

Saturday I was supposed to try and do a 5 km run. I got up at my regular time, had breakfast then hit the road at 5am. It wasn’t the best of days but I was prepared for it. Due to the weather the promenade was quiet so it was really peaceful. I got to km 7 and realized I had completely forgotten I was going to do a run! I’ve so gotten out of the habit of running it never even crossed my mind. Dammit, I had so wanted to see if after not having done a real run in 4 months that I was still up to doing it. I finished what turned into my 10 km walk and went home.

Today I thought I would try longer intervals in my training. Last Thursday I had done 1 block walk 4 blocks run and it went fairly well. So I started running this morning and thought, why do I need to do interval training? Why not just run until I can’t do it any more. I kept running and every time that voice in my head told me to take a break I completely ignored it and just kept encouraging my legs to keep going. Surely if I could walk for 3 consecutive hours that I should be able to run for less than one hour. You know what? I could and I was pretty happy to hear the voice on my Apple Watch tell me I had done 5 km.

Now I am going to admit, at first I was a little upset by how slow my split pace was (it only improved marginally during the run). But I reminded myself, build the endurance then the speed. That is how I have been successful in the past and I want that success again this time. I mentally encouraged myself to disregard the split pace and rather just finish the run.

For the 1st time in a long time I managed to do a run. I’m pretty proud of myself. More importantly there is no pain in my foot or ankle which tells me this is the right time to start training again. Next one will be Thursday and I am looking forward to it.