I had a love-hate relationship with running over the past years, comprised mostly of hate. In high school my friends would run. Soccer, track, cross country.
“Hey Liv, why don’t you run cross country this year with me?”
“Ohhhh,”I would respond half heartedly, ”I don’t have time. I’d be too slow.”
Or the best excuse,
“I can’t run, I have flat feet.”
Which was, and is, very true. The flat feet part. Not the can’t run part. Admittedly, I did try. I would pound out a mile then end up groaning in pain because my feet hurt so bad.
Then, it was the knees.
Also a good excuse. Bad knees run in the family, and mine are no exception. I tried a brace. I tried taking gelatin, which my doctor suggested, but that didn’t seem to help. I’ve finally found what works for me: Glucosamine. I read about it on a motorcross training blog that my lil brother (<– check his blog out. He rides dirt bikes and snowmobiles and doesn’t crazy stchuff like that) showed me. I take it 2 times a day (when I remember, but especially on the days that I run) and my knee pain has been significantly lessened! I’m also upping my flaxseed intake, another thing that my doctor recommended.
My flat feet are still here, and they still hurt sometimes, but not as bad as they used to. Maybe I’ve grown out of it? Maybe I’m not such a wimp anymore? I don’t know, but the important part is that I am running!
A few summers ago I had the goal of running our 2 mile block non stop. I was the girl who couldn’t run 3 minutes straight. I could swim a 500 no problem, but couldn’t run. Go figure. I just labeled myself “Not a Runner” and was determined to live up to that. Needless to say I didn’t complete my goal.
I have been running all winter at the college gym. Two times a week, usually just a mile. I started off running every other lap, then worked up to running 2 walking 1, then 3 and 1, until I got to a full mile without knee pain. This was while I was experimenting with gelatin, glucosamine and taking the good ole Ibuprofen when I overdid it. With this awesome weather we have been having I’ve taken my mid-week runs outside around the block. Tonight I finally completed my 2 mile goal, and ran the whole way non-stop! My knees hurt a little, and my feet were pinching by the end of it, but I did it! I took it slow, and finished in 21:20. Reallllly slow. Haha. I know that’s not any remarkable distance or even passable time, but I’m just happy that I did it! (And did it almost pain-free!) I’m thinking about running a 5K this summer, depending on what happens with my schedule. This just goes to show me, even if something is painful and tough, it’s not impossible. I don’t have any aspirations to run a marathon, or even a half marathon, but now I know that I can run if I want to (which I do! I like it now!).
Current goal: speed up my mile time!!
AWESOME, and for sure, its not about the distance or time, just get out there and enjoy the motion!
For sure! I checked out your blog and saw you are into barefoot running! That is awesome! I’ve been reading a little about it, and my brother recommended a book to me called “Born to Run” about the barefoot Tarahumara runners that I have yet to start.
Way to go! Grandpa should be proud of your endurance. =D
Congrats =)! I know that’s a good feeling!!! Not on the 2 mile scale… I just had the “Oh my word! I just ran a half mile without stopping!!” last week. But… It’s progress, and it is possible. Even with knee pain!
Good for you,l Liv…..but take good care of your knees. Just remember your old grammy sitting here with 3 artificial joints. I’ll never run again, for sure!