Monday, March 16, 2009

Secret's Out

Do you want to know a secret? Well, a not-so-well-kept secret? Not so much a secret as something that I have purposefully not been mentioning on the blog?

Out with it already!

I've been running.

This is somewhat strange because I don't run. I've never liked it. In fact, I've always hated it. And I figure, why do something you hate? Especially when there are so many other forms of exercise out there.

When I started going to the gym (which I did in an effort to improve my heart health, not to gain muscles [and that along with the medication seems to be working, as per my most recent cardiology appointment]) , I would use the elliptical machine to get my workout. And I actually enjoyed that. So I decided to give the old treadmill a try. And while it wasn't SO fun at first, I've actually come to like it. I think part of it is that they have individual TVs now. I don't get to watch TV at my house, so this is motivation to get me on the treadmill. And the TV is such a fantastic distraction. That and I can keep a close eye on how fast I'm going, how far I've gone, and how long it's taken me. So many people talk about how they hate to run on a treadmill, but I think I prefer it to running outside, honestly.

Now, I still suck. I'm not very fast, and I do more of a run/walk combination. BUT. I ran the Rex Lee Run 5K this past weekend, and didn't feel like I was going to die. Woo! I ran it in 36:47, a vast improvement from my walking times. (I just looked up some old times, and it turns out the last time I actually ran, I was at 35:48, so I guess I suck even more than I thought, but I'd like to point out that last time I ran, I wanted to vomit by the end, so I think I've improved.) And I got a new shirt!

So that's what I've been working on that I haven't told you about. I'm hoping that I continue to improve. Don't go thinking that I'll ever do anything crazy like run a marathon, or eve n a 10K. I'm not that into my new hobby. But maybe someday I'll run a 5K without walking. I hear there is one in Hurricane in May. . . we'll see how it goes.

3 comments:

Em said...

Yay Shannon! It was SO good to see you guys, thanks again for visiting!

Sabrina said...

That's fantastic. Watch out. Running is more addicting than you think (although it's easy to get out of the habit of doing it). I like a lot of other exercise, but none so gratifying as running a little faster or a little longer than I have before. I wouldn't rule out the idea that one day there could be a 10k or something in your future, not that there has to be. I am just reiterating that it gets addicting to push your limits and you may find yourself wanting to do that at some time. In any case, I am glad you had a great time at the race. I have to say, I am sad we've missed it for 2 years. It was becoming tradition.

The Martinsen Family said...

You're amazing, I'm glad you slow down to go walking with me. I would look quite hilarious running with you, with my belly flapping around. I'm sure the baby would just plop right out. It was fun to sit with you last night, see you tomorrow:)