Round 6: Day 76: Run! (the sequel)

I'm starting to enjoy running. I haven't run in a serious way since 1978. Back in those days, we only wore sweatpants for exercise-related matters, and wouldn't be caught dead in a pair otherwise. Now, my kids wear sweatpants to school and for just about anything else you can think of. How times change. Yet, some things do come full circle. I'm starting to get interested in running again, not quite recapturing the form and speed I had as a 15-year old on the high school cross country team, but certainly with a stronger mental approach and most definitely a more informed physical approach to the task.

For now, I still consider running to be a bit of a task. I haven't developed the lung capacity or the willpower to go on an extended run, and, following the completion of a run, I don't really feel that I should have tried to go farther. Hopefully, a P90X-like attitude will attach itself to this form of exercise, and I'll try to push for more, go harder, longer, and be more competitive with myself. For now, I'm following the "forget the rest" part of Tony's mantra, and am just pleased with myself for stepping outside and moving at a faster pace than an amble.

For the last few months, I've been running variations of a circuit within my neighbourhood. When I first started, I couldn't complete the circuit without pausing a few times to walk. Now, with Insanity training, I can run the entire distance. To top it off, I've been studying The Pose Method of Running, by Nicholas Romanov, and have been training in front of a mirror to try to emulate the suggested posture. It can give one a lot to think about during the run, and I've been trying to quiet my mind and focus on a few simple tips to start.

I'm finding this approach to running is meeting with some success. Wearing a heart monitor which gives some level of statistical feedback has been helpful. I'm finding that I'm definitely moving faster, as I've been able to shave off a few minutes during my circuit. Further, I'm not as winded, which is borne out by a lower average heart rate. To summarize, I'm running faster at a lower heart rate and consuming less energy. That's a pretty impressive achievement. My inner cardio-monster is telling me that I should be pushing harder to raise my heart rate, and perhaps attempting to run faster will do that, but the runs are becoming more enjoyable because they take less time, and less energy. I'm feeling lighter on my feet, more balanced, and haven't experienced any joint pain.

There's still a lot for me to learn about the Pose method, including various exercises and stretches to strengthen my body and increase flexibility, but I'm impressed by my baby steps so far.

Bring on Week 12!