Friday, May 07, 2010

Running escapades

Yesterday while I was jogging (and dying) I had all sorts of thoughts about what I was going to write about and then that car issue just really blew me away. Oh well.

I was soooo super excited to complete that 3.1 miles to make a 5K. And when I reached that 5K mark, all I could think about was that episode on TBL that I wrote about a few weeks ago. I put myself in Michaels shoes and I heard Bob's voice echoing through my head "4 miles! Do four miles." So I DID! I just kept pushing myself a little further than I thought I could go...and surprisingly, my body stepped up and did it!

Sooo my pace is really slow. I'm doing a 14.19 mile. That's SLOW. haa haa haa....barely above a fast walk, but you know what....it will increase. (that's another thing I did...at the end of my run, when I was desperate to make 4 miles, but running out of time at the gym, I knocked the speed up a bit and you know what...I made it!)

My problem with running the 8 minutes. By the end of each 8 minute segment (usually around minute 6 or 7, I found that my breathing got really choppy and 'disorganized'. It felt as if my lungs were not getting enough air. I didn't let it stop me...and instead at that point I would focus on my breathing. Deep breath in for three (or four) steps.....breathe out for three or four steps. I honestly had to FOCUS on breathing. It was almost as if my body started to panic and forgot how to properly breath. The focusing on my breaths helped. I don't know if it just took the focus away or if it really helped...but it helped me push through. I just need to start focusing on that breathing technique the whole way through....so that I don't get to that choppy can't get a lung full at all!

My exercise will probably be garden work today. We'll have to see. :-)

7 comments:

Leigh Anne said...

Just the fact that you are out there running is a huge accomplishment. :) Congrats on that! And, congrats on having enough focus to realize you need to control your breathing. That's one thing that gets me ... I have this weird habit of holding my breath going up stairs! Eh?! ;)

Hope you're having a happy Friday! Oh, and use your parking brake! ;)

Certifiably Fit said...

You will get a hang of the breathing thing the longer you run.

Way to go for getting out there and pushing yourself.

Cole Walter Mellon said...

I just quit breathing while I run; it's too much of a bother...

That's the thing I'm enjoying most about my slow and steady transition into becoming some sort of runner: the idea that I can continuously challenge myself and what my body can do. It's a great feeling!

Keep it up...

4athomej said...

Way To Go...keep pushing yourself...you are doing so well:)

Reese said...

Good for you! :)

I am going to be doing garden exercising today also. I have heard that it has the potential to be a great calorie burner!

Have a good day!

VRaz60 said...

At least you're out there running. Breathing would be good, too. :)

Shelley said...

I got so wrapped up in your car story that I forgot to congratulate you for your awesome run! I love that you kept pushing yourself - you really did great! You will get faster, but that's not really the point...you are running and that is what is important. :)