I am not sure if anyone can resonate with this, but I have wanted to be able to run for as long as I can remember. In high school I was on the track and field team but resigned to the field events (which I really loved) because I was never able to hold my own running. Its been 8 years since high school and I have tried to pick up the habit multiple times since. My legs were never the problem. I always got tunnel vision after running for a little bit.
When I started down my raw food path running was one of my goals. I went out and bought running shoes (which are great by the way) and started running again. I soon fell off the wagon because I was still getting the tunnel vision if I went by myself. When I went with my husband and talked to him, I was fine (but he had to bike so that he could talk to me). I could figure out why but that seemed to do the trick. Unfortunately he wasn’t always thrilled about biking alongside me while I ran (a slow jog really). So my running tapered off.
Part of the reason I really want to start running is because I want to run with my dogs. They are high energy and would really benefit from running on a daily basis. The other reason is because (when I am not getting tunnel vision) I really enjoy it and find it very relaxing. Through all my experimenting I have figured out the best way to hold my hands and what a good pace for me is (I never get much past the one mile mark). Because we are moving to The Little House in a couple weeks and I will have a well maintained bike path right out front I have decided to try it again. Sunday I got online and did some searching for good music or playlists to listen to while running (I found a great podcast for interval work and one for running on iTunes called PODRUNNER and PODRUNNER INTERVALS). Monday I also talked to a friend of mine who is a runner to see how he breaths (I was starting to the tunnel vision might be due to the way I breath) and found out that he breaths through his mouth.
A light went on. I always try to breath through my nose but when I was talking I was fine. Ahha! Perhaps that was my problem. I have been working on my breathing in general (I am a chest breather and am working on getting the breath into my abdomen too). I went out on Tuesday night, armed with my PODRUNNER INTERVAL level 1 and did the entire workout (and felt great!). When I got back I did a little yoga to stretch out and it felt wonderful. Thursday I dragged out the hubby and we took all three of the dogs (they were in some serious need of some good exercise).
The raw lifestyle seems to be making a big difference too. I have more energy and more patience with myself. I feel lighter on my feet and have starting to find the running very enjoyable (it used to be a chore). I also find that I am less susceptible to the cold, so going out and running if it’s freezing or raining is fine! I just put one foot in front of the other. I start my new week of intervals Saturday!
On a side note, I wasn’t sore at all Wednesday and on Monday I was only sore for about half the day! Usually when I start running again I am sore for a couple days. The only thing that has changed since last time is the Moxxor. I am totally in love with this stuff. I know it isn’t vegan (or even vegetarian) and that bothers me a little but I am really impressed with how it makes my body feel. My body welcomes it in the morning. I have always had a problem with vitamins unless I need them (I have an instant gag reflex if by body doesn’t like something in the vitamin) and I have no problem with the Moxxor. The only thing I noticed was the first day, my system took a little bit to get used to it. I think I burped up an odd flavor for about half the morning and nothing since then.
So wish me luck in my running adventures. I will be a runner one of these days! If you are a runner and have any recommendations I would love to hear from you! Every attempt I make to be a runner I feel like I get a step closer!
Be Well!
Original source: http://rahrahraw.wordpress.com/2008/11/14/running-to-health/
