Thursday, July 12, 2007

"Thoughts" about running

I have quite recovered from my bad mood - thanks! I have not, however, caught up on the work I had done before I lost it all. Oh well.

Exercise has been going well. (Read: cycling, gym and yoga.) I have convinced hubby to ride to work now too! He's only riding a couple of times a week, but it means we can meet up along the river and ride home together. It's good actually, because I can ride in his direction along the river and add an extra 7 or 8km to my ride home. I can recognise his flapping red arm warmers from some distance away and I know to turn around!!

I hope to "encourage" him to cycle daily - but it's still a chore for him.

This morning I didn't want to ride to work (I was snuggly and warm in bed), but I thought of the ride home and it was enough to convince me to suck it up and just go. Golly, my ears are getting cold just thinking about this morning's ride - weird.

I'm having "thoughts" about my running. A little voice is telling me that my five minutes on the treadmill is still too much while I am so overweight and that maybe I need to concentrate on losing weight first. The physio says it's not the impact but the load.

I saw some great photos on the Ausrun forum when the "girls" met up. One very quick glance at the photos tells me that I have less in common with the girls - weight wise - than I hoped. I read comments about people being overweight, and take comfort that we are fighting the same issues. But weight is a relative concept (as is speed). Skinny Morseyruns, Em, Jo and Jaykay think they're fat!! Joey and Kathryn you are both gorgeous! Deege, I could relate to your journey above all others, right from the start - but you are also travelling better than me.

Hmmm, this smacks of a negative post, but it is not meant to be. What I am saying, badly, is that I can't expect to be a runner while I do not have a runner's physique. Now running will help me get a runner's physique, but I can also enjoy lots of other exercise better suited to my current physique UNTIL I get there. So I do not need to be bitter about "missing out" on running - because I have plenty of options that will still get me to that point.

13 comments:

lg said...

I not really running right now so may not be qualified to comment, however, when I was running, I used to struggle with the same thoughts. Mine may not have been focused so much on the weight but were on 'do I look like a try hard, loser etc etc'

It was my partner who used to snap me out of it by asking me if I liked what I was doing - yes, was I having fun and staying motivated - yes. He would then tell me to stop moaning and acting like a girl and caring so much about what other people thought and just get out there and have fun.

Only you will know if you are ready to run, just make sure it's because you want/don't want to! Running or not, you've got a great attitude to exercise and this is whats important

Andrew(ajh) said...

Celeste, I was 40+kg overweight for some 25 years, so can relate to your feelings. I was so lucky, injury wise during my weight loss journey and you have not been so lucky. But, my body (knees especially) feels just so much better now than it has for the last 25 years. Honestly I didn't think I could even get upstairs some days with my knees the way I was and now I'm planning a marathon. So, what I'm trying to say, is keep positive, you are still doing all the right things exercise wise, even if not running. It is a long, hard journey, but one that is oh so worthwhile.

jojo said...

ummm..i wanted to lose a couple of kgs..i dont actually think im fat...i used to be 11kgs heavier and have lost it so just dont want to put it back on... its more about maintenance for me now... as to the running, cycling yoga etc are great forms of exerise with lower prospect of injury..you'll know when your ready to run...water running is good too!!

Kathy said...

Hey Celeste, send me an email at catseye139 at hotmail and I'll send you some photos of me. I think you'll realise that we have a lot in common! I didn't start running until I'd lost more than 35 kg, and your injury problem has made me realise that I was lucky I waited.

I started running to get my heart rate up, as I was getting so fit with the weights and walking that I was doing. I'm sure that the exercise you are doing will help you meet your fitness and health goals and that you'll be back to running when it's right for you.

In the meantime, keep hubby on track with his cycling. And keep on posting - I love to hear how you're going.

Kathryn said...

*blush*

It really took me a long time into my weight loss before I felt ready to run. I really only started running when I felt I could no longer walk for exercise - I was walking over 10 km a day by then and had lost 20+ kgs . I also did a lot of work on the cross trainer at the gym cos I figured that it uses pretty much the same muscles.

You are doing such a brilliant job with the gym and cycling (I'm still a big sook when it comes to riding my bike). The great thing about running is that you are trying to beat yourself and you get that amazing feeling of achievement when the 5 minutes on the treadmill becomes 6 :)

Lulu said...

I'm convinced that my weight has been a factor in my injuries which is why I'm really focussed on that whilst I'm injured.

There is a great weight loss doctor in Perth. I have been using his programme from a book he wrote and have done really well on it. Let me know if you want the details. He did a broadcast on the health report on Radio National too recently, which is wehere I heard about him.

Anonymous said...

Kathryn does take a damn fine photo doesn't she, don't get me wrong, she is lovely in person, but is also lucky to be on of those photogenic people :-)

Now sweetie, please don't get the wrong impression. I didn't start running seriously until I had lost about 10Kg, then I lost a further 7Kg once I started running lots. I really don't think I am fat, I'll admit to being a bit neurotic, but I only want to lose some body fat to lighten up a bit for racing. Unfortunately for my delicate self esteem I hang around with many many very thin athletic girls that I can't help comparing myself unfavourably to. No matter what our various sizes the same insecurities are there. I thought being my ideal weight would solve my "issues" but no, they are still there I am afraid and I need to deal with that.

But this is not all about me. I think you do an amazing job, especially with all the exercise you do. You couldn't run so you got out there and found stacks of other things to do. You just hang in there, stay the path and keep doing what you are doing, you will get there.

:-)

Flea said...

I wish I can give you a good fat loss story but I am joining the line saying "I just can't shed it"
I enjoy reading Liz's blog, she lost 33kg's and Kerryn's "Kek's Body for life thing" they are in my "sporty blogs" area with yours, I find both are always happy to share tips with me and I enjoy looking at their before and after photo's and tell myself when the time is right I'll get there too, my journey only takes a bit slower, so jump on and join me, there's no rush .. or is there?

running uphill said...

Stay positive Celeste! I read your blog for inspiration and I don't need to lose weight. I just love your positive attitude towards exercise. Enjoy the variety that not being able to run has brought to your life.

Samurai Running said...

Hey Celeste

I get what you're saying, yes you do have some valid concerns. But as you say it is all relative and I think you would be better to shuffle along than not run at all.

I'm a believer that there is never a "right time" to do something, I mean saying a thing like "I will spend more time reading when I get some money in the bank" is the same as simply saying reading is not a priority.

So I reckon you should not do other sports until you are "fit" enough to run, you should just walk, shuffle, run and sprint in that order.

I'm not fool enough to discount the reality of your situation but you know there are those in this world that have overcome far greater problems through sheer persistance.

If you want to run seek out only those that will help you to that end and don't listen to anyone that tells you you can't, not even me ;)

MorseyRuns said...

My doctor told me that I was "hardly built like a runner" and suggested I try something else! You are lovely- but I can assure you that I am not skinny- I can't even see skinny from where I am standing.
It sounds like you are really enjoying your exercise at the moment- and isn't that the idea??

trailblazer777 said...

cycling good keep at it...
probably wise to lose weight first b4 running lots, be patient

my wife went from 5 minutes running to 10 minutes, 15 mintes, 22 minutes, and then ran two 5k races in around 35minutes

excellent to hear your husband is riding with you way to go!

Anonymous said...

Run because it feels good. Run because you want to. Run because you love too. Run well, run happy. Do what is right for you. I know that you will sort it out.