“Google” the line, “I am not a runner” and you will be amazed at the content that you can find from blogs, YouTube videos, medical stories, to national news stories. Obviously this is a frequent topic and many, before me, have gone from “couch potato” to marathon runner. For me to state that I am not a runner certainly is not unique.
I was however a swimmer. I stated to many people on various occasions a truth. I can swim further then I can run. Literally. One must swim 68 – 72 laps of a 25 yard pool to equal one mile. I can swim that distance much easier then I could run it. Swimming takes a different type of breath control, one that I learned in
pre-school. When I try to run, I cannot figure out how to not exhaust my lungs and cough profusely for hours afterwards. Am I borderline asthmatic? Sure. I
still remember running the mile for the Presidential Physical Fitness test in elementary school. I was in pretty good shape for a young child because I swam. I would lead all the girls, until the wheezing would start, then … I was walking the final lap around the school’s playground.
I could sprint, but I could not run distance.
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As we age, we all try to find exercise routines. I used to have the time and opportunity to swim, so that was my exercise. But since starting this full-time position at Westfield Hospital, I have had little chance to get to a pool. With that said, I know I need a healthy exercise routine. I am no couch potato, but I do not get a regular cardiovascular workout.
Running just seems like the easiest solution. All I really need is a pair of running shoes. There are plenty of parks in the beautiful Lehigh Valley, so I am not concerned about where to run, but more about how to run without feeling like the wind has been knocked out of me.
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As the Director of Marketing and Business Development for the Westfield Hospital medical campus, I have recently been assigned the task to organize our First Annual 5 K Run/Walk with Your Doctor. I have been involved with and volunteered for other 5K events, but have never participated in one.
I think it is time to get off the sidelines.
My future blogs (Keep Posted!) will be about “how to run” and my (hopeful) journey on a path to becoming a runner. The secret I have discovered is to just start, but start by not running too much. There are many sites with varying “how to run” recommendations, but mainly you want to alternate between walking and running in short distances, slowly increase the running and decrease the walking until you are capable of running nonstop. On the first day you want to walk 4 minutes and run 1 minute, continue this pattern for 20 minutes (or 4 times through). Take a day to rest then repeat. Within eight weeks, you should be able to run 30 continuous minutes.
A good site to start your path of “getting healthy” and becoming a runner is www.runningforbeginners.com.
And remember, "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." ~John Bingham
The First Annual 5K Run/Walk with Your Doctor will be held on July 13, 2013. Event details will be posted at www.facebook.com/pages/Tilghman-Medical-Center/627211500637941?ref=hl
Let's Get Healthy Together!
~Diane (aka. Not a Runner)