Learning How to Run

Running is a great way to lose weight, think better and faster, relax, and build discipline. It's also one of the cheapest ways. The only things required is a watch and nice pair of running shoes. I recommend a comfortable pair of Nike running shoes which cost about $100. The pair I bought are surprisingly light, made with nylon mesh, and above all else comfortable.

Can't run for longer than two minutes without feeling like a knife is twisting your stomach? That was me just a few months ago. I had lifted weights already for over a year but running was out of the question. I had no stamina and simply didn't want to run enough to actually put in an honest effort. That all changed when my back started hurting. At first it was when I lifted weights but then it prolonged to the point I couldn't even sit in cushioned chairs without some degree of pain. I immediately started caring about my posture but I couldn't just continue aggravating it by lifting weights like I was used to. So, what do you do when you want to exercise but weight lifting is out of the question? You run! This catalyst was what I needed to get started. Now a few months later, I can run for over half an hour, non-stop, and I don't even lose all my breath! The exciting thing is that you could too.

As I mentioned, the first step to running is wanting to. This involves setting a goal. Personally I decided that I wanted to be able to run for fifteen minutes, non-stop, and have enough breath after to be able to have a conversation with a friend. I further declared to two esteemed friends that I would run five times a week for no less than twenty minutes of run-a-minute walk-a-minute until I could meet this goal. I had already been running for a week or two so I could just barely accomplish this. I also had a few months of summer ahead of me so there was plenty of time before I would have to resort to buying an indoor track pass and settle for subpar scienery. Still the goal seemed daunting and I knew the effort required to achieve it would hurt. This combined with the promise I made to my friends made failure a most unacceptable option.

From nearly the beginning, I took a systematic approach to running. A twenty minute session would involve running for a minute and then walking for a minute. I was utterly exhausted after these sessions for a few weeks. At the beginning I felt sore even on my off days. This brings up an important point. Everyone starts at a different level. I recommend to start running on one minute intervals like I did, but only for as long as you can without feeling tingly or having your vision change colors on you when you stop. If you can't even for a few intervals, why not start by simply walking for regular and longer distances than you are used to? The important thing is pushing yourself gradually. With this in mind, I eventually started running for two minutes and walking two minute during my twenty minute sessions. Then I started running for three minutes and walking for three. Naturally, I decreased my walking to two minutes. This continued for a few weeks. By now I had already been practicing for a few months and it seemed that I wasn't moving fast enough to complete my goal of running for fifteen minutes for the end of the summer.

One day, I decided that I would go for my goal and see how close I could make it. I ran in the direction of my relatives home, thinking that if I could make it, I would like to sit down for a bit after and drink some water. (I still can't drink or eat much before running without experiencing cramps, but it's getting better with practice.) After three minutes of running non-stop I was feeling pretty tired, but I kept on going. After seven and a half minutes, I was really tired but the thought of already being half done kept me going. Then after thirteen minutes, something really cool happened. Although I was panting hard by then, I noticed that my run wasn't getting harder. As long as I could maintain focus, I would achieve my goal. I kept my eyes closed for a good portion of those last two minutes and nearly stopped but I made it! I slowly walked to my uncle and aunt's home and talked with them for a while: goal complete! The next day, I ran for ten minutes, non-stop, instead of fifteen and was extremely tired after, just like the last day, but never the less I had run non-stop for a personally impressive amount of time. I had already started running home from work, which took about half an hour, when running a minute and talking the next, but now I could actually start running almost the entire distance without stopping. I seized the opportunity and before long was running the entire distance home from work. I can now make it in about twenty minutes for free whereas the bus takes about double that time for $2. I am still impressed that I can run and run without stopping now. The effort has finally paid off and it feels great.