Here was the cool thing, the guy who worked there was a real runner (like 10 marathons) when I went to pay he asked if they were for my long run and we talked run shop for a few minutes - we swapped stories of where we run, what races we're doing, he told me about some new energy gel that's coming out and I was on my way. I felt like such a real runner. Talking the talk, walking the walk, getting my beans. I don't know, can't explain how cool that was to me. There is no longer that dear and headlight daze I once got, walking into the running store. No confusion on what I'm doing. I really feel like I've crossed a bridge from wanna be into runner. It's a nice feeling.
Anyhoo...
This running journey has been an interesting ride. I've learned a ton about a million things but I've also learned that I was wrong about a whole buncha things too - myths if you will, that not only I used to believe but many people still believe and perpetuate. I was musing these things so thought I'd throw them out there...
Myth #1 - Running will allow you to eat whatever you want and lose weight.
Jen truth - maybe for you but not for me. I have to still carefully plan everything I eat and it's even a little more challenging now because I have to not only take in consideration that I'm trying to lose weight but I have to figure out the right amount of calories pre-run, during my long run and for recovery. I'm striving for healthy balance, I don't want to be stupid and not eat enough either... This is a fine art and even with all the running, I have to WORK at the food. Oy.
Myth #2 - Running is a cheap form of exercise.
Jen truth - Hardy, har, har, har. I write a shopping blog for a living and read a lot of articles about saving money. It seems that many "frugal" bloggers have this crazy notion that running is "a super cheap form of exercise." I thought that at first too. What's there to spend? Ya got feet? A pair of sneakers from the Payless and we're good to go. Um. Cough. Anyone who thinks running is cheap isn't a real runner. Sorry. Just the basics alone - a good pair of sneakers, the right clothing, race fees quickly add up. Never mind the rest of it - the compression socks, iPod, tracking gear, hydration belts, sports bras, gu, and that's just what's rolling off the top of my head - isn't cheap. Now don't get me wrong, it's all worth every penny but I'm busting this myth wide open.
Myth #3 - You must love running ("I could never run because it's not my fav. activity")
Jen truth - I can't tell you how many people say, well, I could never really run because I don't really like it much. Do you think I liked to run at the beginning? Hell no. This started out as a side show, a novelty act, something to get me writing and exercising. Every minute of running was pretty painful and annoying. Now I love it. I feel extremely grateful that I took that time to "acquire the taste" but it didn't happen overnight. It took me a looooooong time to appreciate it and then finally start to love it. You don't get to 236 pounds loving running, you get to that weight by loving pizza, sitting on your ass and sleeping late. Luckily, I loved myself enough to make the changes necessary to get me right to this spot... gearing up for my 8 mile long run in the AM.
So my fellow run-loving friends, what myths are you ready to bust?
XO
Jen
5 comments:
I love sports beans before a run, it takes way too much energy for me to chew during a run. I think I've learned my lesson, but I still attempt it almost every time.
You did miss the biggest myth of the simple "I could NEVER do that." Uh, yeah you could. I don't care if you're 300 lbs and haven't gotten off the couch in 5 years. It might take hard work, it might take time, you might have to bust your rear, but if you want to, you can absolutely do it... 5K, 10K, half marathon, or full marathon.
Oh you are right - Lesley!! That's the BEST myth buster of them all!! I believed that I could never run for more than a minute... I remember the first day I was able to run for five minutes without stopping (at a slow 4.2 on the treadmill) I might as well have been doing a seven minute mile at the NY marathon I was so proud and felt so accomplished...! You're right, takes work and time but anyone who wants to can get there.
How bout the whole "marathons are fun" myth? Not having done one (or a half for that matter) -- they sound more like giving birth -- not fun at the time, but you block out the bad parts and remember the good. And get to take home a bouncing shiny new medal that makes up for all the pain.
LOL - that's exactly what its like, Sara!
sports beans are awesome.
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