Gardening in High Heels

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What no one tells you about running

Running sucks. #SeriouslyThough

I could probably stop there.  I started to write this in my head in the middle of a run on Tuesday and that’s how I was feeling.

#BlogPostsAlwaysComeToMeWhenIDontHavePaper

What no one tells you about running. #training #marathon #running

In case you missed all my bitching about hospitals and moving, it’s been a little tricky to find time to train for the marathon (that’s just the Pittsburgh Marathon Half, I’m not going crazy here).  I’m getting off my ass and doing it, though. #Finally

Now, I’m not a physical therapist, nurse, pro athlete, coach, or licensed to give advice, so don’t take this as be-all end-all medical knowledge.  It’s just what I know.  And this will be my 5th total half marathon, so I kinda know what I’m talking about in terms of myself and my body.

What I know about running is that it’s hard.  No one tells you how hard it is to get up and get moving.  An object a rest, #amirite?  There are some days when I just feel like I had the best workout ever and there are some days when it’s struggle city and I just want to turn around and go home. #ButSeriously #CanIJustGoHomeNow

Despite the suckiness and the burning shins and the sore lungs, ya just do it.

I think the biggest thing that no one tells you about running is that it really makes you listen to your body.  When it isn’t feeling it, honor what it’s saying.  Hit your mile goal for the day, but be gentle on yourself. #DoWhatYouCanWithWhatYouHave

I used to get so upset if I couldn’t stand running more than three miles when I was trying to train.  Now I just go with it.  On Sunday, I ran for an hour and I hit six miles.  It felt great.  Tuesday during my lunch break, I only did three. #YeahIKnowONLYThree #sarcasm

Instead of beating myself up about only running three miles, I made a deal with myself.  I ran to the next stop sign and I said I could walk if I wanted to.  I didn’t feel like I needed it, so I ran to the next stop sign.  And repeat.

Running is also a very mentally challenging sport.  Running 13.3 miles is a physical challenge for sure, but you have to believe you can do it.  The phrase “mind over matter” is so incredibly true.  I can’t emphasize it enough.  You have to be really assured that you can do it, even if you’re doubting it.  #DontLetYourselfSmellYourOwnFear

And you’re with yourself for 13.3 miles.  That’s a little longer than two hours.  If you’re telling yourself, “OMG I’M GOING TO DIE,” chances are, you aren’t doing very well.  Don’t listen to those crazy voices in your head! #LifeAdvice

When I started running, I wish I would have known that it was okay to have off days (#AsLongAsYouGetOutsideYoureAhead) and that it’s really hard to do when your mind isn’t working with your body.

Another thing no one tells you about running is that you’ll probably lose a toe nail or two and you really need to have a bee-line to a restroom when you’re done.   But more on that later.

Are you a runner? What’s something no one told you that you wish you knew?

#Hashtaghumpday @ Life with Lolo

  • Great tips! I’m starting run during lunch at work to get my ass up and active since I have such a sedentary job. It’s tough but you just need to power through it!

    • Thanks, Alanna! I agree, fighting through it is the best way to go. I love that you’re moving during your lunch break. I want to do that, but I get so sweaty (disgusting, but true haha).

  • Recently I learned that SLOWING DOWN is more effective that walking and that the only person I’m competing with is myself and I have NO ONE to impress!!!! Despite being the anti-runner runner, it was when I considered 3 miles a “short” run that I should just accept my runner status.

    • That’s a good one! It’s true that you have no one to impress but yourself – and just doing it is impressive enough! Thanks for reading 🙂

  • Mel

    When I first started running, I with someone told me that the first mile always (ALWAYS!) sucks! haha Oddly enough, I hear it all the time now.

    Also, something that helped motivate me when I was a beginner: “if you run, then you’re a runner.” I remember reading that online when I was struggling during an identity crisis — adopting that mantra (lack of a better word) during my life change really helped center and focus for me the impact (running pun!) of what I was doing, or why I was doing it.

    • I always think of the Sheryl Crow song, yknow, about the first cut being the deepest. Totally applies to running haha.

      I’ve heard that before and I love it! It’s great that you made that your focus when running. Thanks for sharing!

  • It’s so true. I always am writing posts in my head when I’m not in front of a computer or paper. I’ve started composing in notes on my phone or leaving myself a voice memo.

    On to running. I actually love running. It’s the exhausted feeling afterwards that I love. It makes such a huge difference in how I sleep and feel the next morning. I’m a cardio junkie though. I know looking at me you would be like “you’re kidding me” but I love cycling, etc. It’s all my favorite.

    • I have great things in my mind and when I actually write them, I’m like…that isn’t how I worded it before and it’s lost forever!!! (Cue dramatic sobs)

      I agree! I love the sore muscle feeling the next day and I’m always disappointed if I don’t feel it; it’s like the run didn’t count! Cardio rocks, no joke there.

  • So true! Haha.
    But there is NOTHING like a runner’s high. Nothing! 🙂

    • This is embarrassing, but…..I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever experienced a runner’s high! What’s it like? Haha

  • My knees have never allowed me to even pretend to start running. I had knee surgery in high school and am having issues again on a different knee now…so I don’t know if I hate running or not. Although, I feel like I would like it as much as I do running on the elliptical. It’s nice to move my feet and sweat it out.

    I seriously die a little reading your hashtags. They would be totally annoying if you did this on every post. But hashtag humpday is hysterical.

    • Oh man, I’m sorry to hear that! As long as you’re moving and grooving, though, you’re good!

      Thank you 🙂 I only do them on special occasions, otherwise they’d just be totally obnoxious (I’ll be the first to admit that). Sometimes I write them and I’m like, “Is that too much?”

  • Jess @ inpursuitofsimple.com

    Mike and I decided to run a mile the other day. Sounds easy, right? He did the mile. I did half a mile then threw up in a bush.

    At least we both burned calories.

  • KVS

    I used to run all the time, before I broke metatarsals in my foot. Now, I have to slowly get back into it. But – I have never hated running, and I never thought it sucked – maybe I do now, because I’m starting back at square one – but, I remember a time feeling like a superhero for accomplishing certain distances and speeds.

    But – now – I’m just frustrated, it’s not runnings fault… I swear. 😉

    • Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that! I love that it can make you feel like a superhero, though. That’s so cool. Best of luck getting back out there 🙂

  • Oh man are these true. And even for someone who’s happy to make a mile like me. Someday maybe I’ll get to more – but I’d have to start doing it regularly to hit that. There are definitely a lot of good things about running to though – the fresh air, the freedom, the release. Man I miss it. Can’t go anywhere near running since I can’t even open my mouth to talk right now without coughing up a lung. It’s funny how much more you miss something when you physically CAN’T do it. I should remember this next time I make up excuses not to run…

    • It does get to be habit forming and it does feel great. I do love the fresh air and the wind in my face. I hope your lungs stay in your body and you can run again soon 🙂

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