Meet our new columnist Claire, who’s currently a member of our Spring 10K Course. She was always in the “Running Is For Other People” Club but is beginning to change her tune…
It’s a fact. I can’t run. I’ve tried, but I’ve never got beyond the magical pain barrier. That point which runners tell me exists. When it stops hurting and becomes fun. My last attempt ended after a three-mile walk/run with a friend. I did it… then I quite literally couldn’t move for three days. I gave up.
And this is frustrating! See, I like sport. I’m good at it. I like keeping fit and I like that exercise makes me feel good. OK, I’m the steady member of the team – never the star, but all teams need one of them. I’m a good all rounder. Over the last few years I’ve tried all sorts – kickboxing, Zumba, Body Pump, spinning, road cycling – I’ve even walked two marathons. I’ll give anything a go once, and I’m quite likely to go back for more. But running somehow eludes me.
My husband on the other hand LOVES running – he’ll nip out every weekend (and most week nights) for a quick ten miler. I go along to races with him. I cheer him over the finish line. I felt really proud when he finished the London marathon in 4 hours 34mins. The frustrating thing is at these events there are always people who just look like they shouldn’t be able to run. I shouldn’t be judgemental, but they fly past, all shapes and sizes, doing what I can’t.
I know my issues are in my head. I’m fitter than average, I’ve got a runners physique. I’ve just got a mental block that says a big fat ‘NO’ when running is mentioned.
Recently though, something has changed. I’ve started doing a Marine Commando boot camp. And this involves running. To my surprise, I’ve found that I can run a bit – it’s mostly short distances, and up hills, but I can do it*. And it feels good. And even more to my surprise, I like it.
So I started going out for a run with Dave (the marathon running hubby) a couple of nights a week. It didn’t feel especially fast, but there I was, running. Under gentle persuasion from the lovely Shauna (who I work and exercise with) I signed up for the 5k Course. It turned out I’m already better than I thought, because I can run 5k in 31 minutes, which qualifies me for the 10k course. Eek.
In our courses we talk about our motivations for wanting to complete the 8 weeks… this is Claire's list!
So here I am. It feels like the right time to try running properly. And to spur me on even more, I’ve signed up for the Black Rock ’5′ and the Glasgow Womens 10k in May.
No more excuses from me. From now on, I CAN RUN.
(*I’ll be honest, it’s amazing what you can do when you’re being shouted at by a man with a husky voice who’s wearing army fatigues!)
