Yes, just like this poor puppy. I’m lost!
As crazy as my C25k program might have seemed at times, I have no idea what to do without it. That damn web page was my bible and I followed it like the Ten commandments (except that one time when I missed a workout and spent $20 repenting my sins in the form of an I-tunes gift card.) But mostly, I followed it like a little puppy lapping away at its faithful owner’s hand. Now that little puppy (me, bgirl875) has ventured into the land of the unknown and it kind of smells like butt.
Today, I met with a running group for the first time. As I’ve read amazing stories about Red and B.o.b.‘s running group BRA, I was expecting some really cool a$$ people. But alas, I got 8 people whose only commonality was running. And, low and behold, one of the girls ran with a dog. To his defense, he was an adorable little fellow but he still had teeth and so I made sure he always stayed in my view.
Oh and it was raining…can we all collectively give the black girl props for running in the rain at 6:30am. And get this…for 4.5 miles. It WAS a little too much for me but I was too embarrassed to say that I’ve never run more than 3.1 miles straight in my life. So I sucked it up and did the best I could. I kept up with the faster peeps (about 8.5-9min/miles) But towards the end, I was definitely the last one in the fast line. I also took a good 200 meter walk up a hill at about 3.75 miles. I had to walk and feel absolutely no regrets about it because my bunion was screaming like a really high-pitched girl. Strangely enough since I got these new shoes, my bunion pain had all but stopped. So I took it as a sign, I needed to walk for a bit.
The thing about running groups is you sort of feel bad when you slow down because they all pull back a little. It sort of reminded me of little flies surrounding a turd. They didn’t stop and wait for me, well until they realized I was a little further back than probably was safe. I wanted to wave them ahead but I was not sure how to get back to my car. So I had to suck it up and pick up my speed. All and all it was a good experience not BRA run group fun, but I felt safe and got my run on. So I committed to going back every Wednesday.
Tomorrow, I am trying out a different group for a Track Workout. Truthfully, I don’t even know what that means. I was honest with the guy and told him other than knowing by ‘track’ he meant the oblong shaped thing that people run around, I had no idea what to expect. Or how to prepare. He and the other group leader (if that’s what they are called) have been really welcoming and told me they’d give me a workout that was right for me. So I’ll update you with how that goes.
Saturdays, I think I am just going to run the same route I did when I started outdoors. It’ll be a nice easy run for me and since there are tons of people out at that time, I am just going to do that one alone. After trying to hold a conversation today while running about how to teach rhythm (which isn’t possible but I didn’t want to break her heart) I realize that there is some joy to running alone =P
Anyway, not sure how much these three weekly runs will build my endurance, increase my pace, or strengthen my knees. But I am glad to know that running and I will have some sort of future.
I’m contemplating three upcoming races (some near some far) but having some goals will keep me focused on being a consistent runner. If anyone is interested, here is more information on them:
Earth Day 5k, Silver Spring Md, sponsored by Pacers. Sunday, April 18th
Global Race for the Cure, National Mall. DC. Saturday June 5th
Run Amuck, Quantico VA. Saturday, August 14
Laters,
An anonymous black girl who despises waking up at 5:45am to run
>>about how to teach rhythm
You can’t teach this?!? LOL. Actually, I don’t think I lack rhythm…I think that I’m just too self-conscious to relax enough to allow myself to dance.
It sounds like you have a good plan to keep on running. When I’m not training for something, I rarely run. Running weekly with a group would force me to run no matter what. I’m such a lone wolf though…I don’t really want to run with anyone!
Just saw this one! Running groups can be interesting. While the BRA is absolutely amazing, I have to travel over an hour to run with them. The group I run with here in Orlando sometimes totally drives me insane with how unorganzied they are and most of the other runners aren’t really that friendly. I’ve resorted to doing blogger meet ups instead and just having my roommate bike pace me because I can’t seem to find a group around here that works for me. Hopefully there are other groups in your area you can tryout or perhaps you can seek out some runner/bloggers in your area that you could meet up with for a run!
Well that makes me feel better. I thought this area just sucks butts.
There are a couple of girls that seem cool enough to run with, sans the consistent talking when I’m trying to remind myself to breathe. I’m right between their pace so maybe, I can convince them to do some runs outside the group. Ps you’ll be so proud I’m successfully running with a dog. Not mine, but one of the girls (in my pace group) has a dog, and I am not peeing my pants everytime I see him =P He’s a super sweetie!!!
I have gone to the other side…for real!!!