Week 2

Week 2

I have finished week two of the training schedule I had posted last week.  Right on track.  I even learned a few things this week.  First being, stick to your own training schedule!  I went to the PAC and climbed aboard the only available treadmill.  I started my warmup at a comfortable pace and then let my own pride kick my butt.  Every other person in that row was running.  Every last one of them.  So, I shortened my warmup and increased my walking pace so I could feel more athletic.  What happened was pain and muscle cramping to the point I had to turn the treadmill off, re-stretch and start over.  Lesson learned.

I also decided if I am going to be a serious runner, I had better make sure I have the right shoes for me.  The Nike running shoes I had gotten from Kohl's last year felt fine until I got moving in them.  Through the suggestion of my friend Damara I took myself shopping at the grand-opening of the new east-side location of Endurance House.  This was a completely new experience for me.  Rather than pick up a pair of shoes that looked like something I might like, the salesperson Tracy, gave me some basic flat shoes and put me on a treadmill to try them out.  Have I mentioned that I have not yet run in years, much less on a treadmill, in public?  While I held on for dear life, my backside was being video taped.  They call this a foot strike analysis.  It wasn't pretty.  My feet were out to the sides.  My ankles looked like they were rolling.  We won't say anything about what was going on up higher.  Tracy left me with visions of my backside horror and picked out three pairs of shoes for me. All were a size larger than I had been wearing.  I tried all three on and gave them an equal shot back up on the treadmill.  The shoes definitely helped.  While all three were an improvement, I ended up picking out the pair of Asics pictured.  Not my choice of color or style, but Tracy said, "That's how you know you picked the right shoe."  Did I mention mine came with hot pink shoe laces?

Tracy also mentioned checking into a book about improving running form.  Seems my death grip stance was not so impressive.  It just so happens I have been reading up on this.  I bought the book Chi Running last winter and had just decided to start reading it the night before my Endurance House encounter.  I didn't read far enough into it to improve my form.  I told Tracy about this book and she gave it her approval.  Seems I can avoid a lot of potential injury by turning my feet so they point straight ahead.  This will take some practice.  On another side note, this location of Endurance House has been open for two weeks.  Tracy said the majority of the clientele she has helped have been new women runners.  Seems I am in good company.  Seriously, check out the store http://www.endurancehouse.com/. They also have swim gear ad bikes.  Everything you need for the perfect triathalon.  Then check out the book Chi Running by author Danny Dreyer.

So armed with my new knowledge, my new shoes, and a new sense of purpose, I made my way back to the Prairie Athletic Club.  It was later in the evening on a Saturday night and I found myself alone with the row of treadmills.  If only it could be like that all the time.  Nobody could see my hot pink laces.  I turned my phone to 93.9 on I<3radio, put on the earbuds and took off running.  Not really.  I was determined to stick to my own schedule.  I walked and concentrated on keeping my feet forward, my body in a forward lean, my shoulders back, and my head up.  It was harder than what I had been doing and boy could I feel it!  Walking now felt like work.  I will stick with it though.  I will continue to read the book and improve my form.  Now the confessional.  For a brief thirty seconds, as long as I was alone, I ran, without hanging on.  My deepest fear was not realized.  I did not fall off the back.  I did not break an ankle.  Nobody was laughing.  I can do this.  I will do this!