To New Beginnings

Running Files 002

Because the GoPro activity images didn't turn out well enough, I picked an outtake from a still life session for an upcoming post that combines running and writing.

I ended my last post about running, hoping this update would include “actual running.” Today, I’ll write about the waiting game that played out these last three weeks and how difficult got replaced by difficult when those 397 days without running neared their end this week at last.

Patience, my dear

The first two weeks since the last update continued my exercise in patience.

I wanted to find some balance and relaxation before I started again. I didn’t want to be too ambitious, eager, or rushed. A year without running is a long time. A few more days (or weeks) don’t make that much difference. The more relaxed I am about the matter, the gentler the re-entry is.

Running — just like any exercise — should be enjoyable first and foremost. I wanted to eliminate any danger of tumbling down the rabbit hole of taking running too seriously from the start.

So, I waited and focused on building consistency with my new strength routine — three core and two leg days per week.

While disrupted schedules forced me to jam some of those workouts together in the first weeks, I’ve finally gotten the hang of separating them.

I’m also hopeful that I can add some light general upper body work soon because the final gift from my wonderful bike from hell, an achy right wrist, feels back to normal.

As part of a computer trial — all will be revealed on November 30 — I put some final touches on my training plans. Nothing much has changed. But more time than I had anticipated had passed since I formulated those, so I glanced over and polished them.

The first four running weeks will (hopefully) see a slow but steady build: from two 10-minute easy shuffles in week one to four runs and a total time on feet of a full hour in week four.

From week five, I’ll return to base the runs on distance because it feels pointless to go by distance any sooner. The distances for the jogs around the block (or park) in the first four weeks should range between 1.5 and 3.2 km (0.9 and 2 mi). I call it 10/15/20 minutes and forget about distance.

Remember: I want to have some fun. That’s all that matters.

All beginnings are difficult (and enjoyable)

I remember the difficult time I had when I started running in 2019. I hadn’t heard of pacing yourself in those days. And while I limited myself to 20 minutes at a time, my legs grew angry rather quickly.

I’m prepared for increased maintenance now despite a much more reflected approach. That’s okay. It’s been a while. I have to nurse my body and mind back to this.

The delays have pushed me deep into the fall — morning darkness, wind, rain, and ugh-temperatures included.

Instead of walking down to the tiny local park and looping the often uneven dark and muddy park trails in the dark (with the added risk that I might suddenly look into the eyes of an off-leash dog or two), I opted for the urban escape for the first run.

I longed for it and was bubbling with excitement. Finally, back to running. Yes.

But I was also anxious. How would my body react?

I knew my lungs would be in for a surprise. That’ll change soon enough.

I was less sure about my legs. How would they react? Would the same issues pop up again? A reaction that couldn’t be more natural. However, I could do without that sort of mental instability.

With all those things floating around my head, I forgot to bring the GoPro — not that the dark residential streets would have offered much picture potential.

But that’s going to change again eventually.

The most important part: I did have some fun again. The easy shuffle was getting harder in the last 3–4 minutes. I constantly listened for potential warning signs from the lower extremities, and the chilly darkness paired with drizzle should all have subtracted from the experience. They didn’t. I felt more alive than ever during the last 79 days without cardio.

Three samples from the unsuccessful GoPro darkness trials: pointing the little camera down at my feet (left and right) and setting it up on a park bench (I’m the black blob attached to the white and green lights — you may also decipher some trees in the background).

I enjoyed a fall photo walk on the rest day, which actively recovered the light touch of hamstring tightness.

While I wish I had brought gloves for that walk, I recovered those and my winter running hat from the shoe box where I store all my winter running accessories. Temperatures had fallen to a shivering 2 C (35 F) — glad I’m only up for 10 minutes.

This time, I went down to the small park five minutes down the road. And I remembered to bring the GoPro.

Despite the cold darkness, I can’t remember feeling as light and free as during those 10 minutes at any point during the last year. It’s remarkable what running can do for one’s soul.

Except for a bit of occasional and mild hamstring tightness, my legs appear to be on board again at the end of week one — two runs, 20 minutes, and a whopping 3.12 km (1.94 mi).

The runs were beautifully unspectacular but a first injection of fun and running relaxation; more to come (hopefully).

I’m back to running, finally. I hope when the next running post drops in three weeks, I will be sharing continued success with my training plan. Next week, I’ll have reading recommendations about the climate and canoeing. The week’s second post links writing and running, a notion I started thinking about after reading an essay from a well-known writer.