A post about running from a running non-runner

Did you track that? This is about to go down. A post, about running. Written by yours truly, a true non-runner, who is currently trying to do running. Because YOLO. {Is that even still a thing?}

Anyway. So here’s the quick back story: I went out for track in Junior High and Freshman year of high school because track meets included snacks, a whole day hanging with friends, and at some point, an event or two that I had to show up for. I liked the long and triple jump. I loathed running. While everyone else seemed to have legs that actually understood the mechanics of running, my legs were like, “hey girl, we look really good sitting by the tent, eating cheetos and drinking Gatordrink.” And so. I was never a track star. In fact, the other three years of high school, I played tennis. Because less running was required.

Have you ever been driving and seen someone who is running and looks so free and happy? I am not that girl. I look more like I’ve eaten one too many burritos and they have settled in my feet. Burrito feet are tough to run with. They have so much going on. And taste so good.

However.

My dad = track star. He medaled {gold} in the state track meet in high school. He went to college and was on the track team. He has run, to date, something like 9 or ten half marathons.

My brother = tracklete. I mean, he didn’t actually do track in high school. But he has the legs that understand the mechanics of running. My sister and I don’t understand how we share the same gene pool as him. Pretty sure I was adopted.

My husband = loves to run. Especially mid to long distance. And his legs are legit. They have actual muscles which I am certain aids in his ability to actually run.

SO. I decided last year that when I made it through treatment, I wanted to, as a show of support to ESPECIALLY the hubs, run a half marathon with him. So he’s training. Like for time and goals. I’m training. My dad is training. Because he’s never not training. My bro will likely run and kick it in the can. And we will all be in the same race. Because YOLO or whatevs.

…

We are currently registered to run the Lincoln Half Marathon. I am told this is a good route as it is well populated with people cheering you on, hopefully handing out Cheetos, and not caring if your legs don’t understand the mechanics of running… AND ALSO… perhaps most importantly, it’s fairly FLAT. Uh huh, yah!

I had my most recent surgery to remove my tissue expanders and place my implants on December 6. Then, I had 6 weeks restriction where I was to be without running/jostling/moving and grooving the gals. So, the second to last week of January, I began with a training spreadsheet that the hubs put together for me. {I am totally up for sharing it if you are interested}. It is a modification of the ever-popular Hal Higdon and is the Novice level. Essentially, each week, I run at least 4 runs. So, for instance, this week, I had a 4 mile on Tuesday, a 2 mile on Wednesday, and a 4 mile again on Thursday. And then, my “long run”, which will be another 6 miler, is one day of the weekend. Monday and Friday are rest days. The other weekend day is cross training of some kind.

How did I start from post-surgery? I just started, y’all! That’s the thing about starting. You just have to do it. My big thing is saying that, for right now, I just won’t stop. I don’t care how long it takes me. I am not focused on a time goal. I just make sure I finish the goal of the run. I started with 2 miles on a treadmill. Running at speed 5. And have worked up to 6 miles, at about 5-6 speed. Then, I will gradually grow — next week my long run will be 7. When I want to stop {or, one time, when I wanted to barf}, I just think, “It doesn’t matter how slow I slog {slow jog}. It’s still better than not having done it at all.”

Here are some things that I think have been good for me staying on track:

150 minutes. My Oncologist encourages 150 minutes at minimum of exercise/activity per week for my post-cancer life. I look at those 150 minutes as a bit of a prescription. Part of my treatment plan. It is a priority in my life. I feel like it has to be if I want to live and grow old. With my running plan, it’s easy to reach that goal. And having a family who supports that priority for me and for them is tops.
Accountability. I talk/plan/and sometimes run, with the hubs {let’s be real, his pace is 8 or 9 minutes. Mine is 12…}. I talk runs with my dad. With my brother. And other friends who can legit run. And my friend, Nicole, and I plan to tackle the race together. It’s good to have others who make you want to stick to the plan. And my brother gave me the great suggestion that when I’m running on the treadmill, I should up the pace with every mile… this is gold because you don’t notice it and it helps legs slowly adjust. I’m not suing anyone as competition. Not at this point. Just inspo.
Weather. We were lucky to steal away to Florida last week — that outside run was MISERABLE for me. But then, we came back to Nebraska to a little warm spell and I was able to get three good outside runs in. This helped me realize that I can do it outside. And I added in some extra distance this week on top of what the plan called for — 4+, 3.5 — when I had the nice weather. And now, I’ll be back to the treadmill for a bit. And then… outside runs will become more frequent again.
Just don’t stop. It sounds stupidly simple, right? But for me, so far, if I stop, I know it’s nearly impossible for my legs {the ones who don’t get the mechanics of running} to get going again. This isn’t a put-down… just the truth… I’m pretty bottom-heavy (even more so prior to surgery, I suppose)… I have a good bit of effort to get my thighs and hips going at any sort of jog… so I just don’t stop.
Good music. Thank you so much to my IG friendsies who supplied me with some great suggestions and to those of you who talk music with me… I love a good playlist to keep me moving. From Hamilton {I have to be honest… this doesn’t do it for me yet while running} to Meghan Trainor, people gave a wide range of suggestions and I plopped them all into an apple playlist. And my playlist keeps growing and changing and keeping my short, slogging legs, moving.

So… are you a runner? Or a non-runner who is running? Or a non-runner who will never run? If so, what are your best tips?

And of course, because it’s me, here are my top 30 artists currently spinning on my non-runner slogging list… if you want my whole playlist, let me know {again, as well as my training spreadsheet}.

Florence + the Machine – Shake it out
Judah & the Lion
1. Uh huh, Yeah
2. Forever, Always
3. All I want is you
T Swift – Out of the woods
Adele – Send my love
Rachel Platten
1. Stand by you
2. Fight Song
Temecula Road – What if I kissed you
Elle King
1. Make you smile
2. America’s Sweetheart
Maren Morris – My Church
Ed Sheeran – Shape of you
OneRepublic
1. I lived
2. Love Runs Out
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros – Man on Fire
Jon Bellion – 80s Films
Zac Brown Band – Toes
Kongos – Come with me now
Lil Jon – Snap yo fingers
Katy Perry – Roar
Martin Solveig & Dragonette – Hello
Lady Gaga – Million Reasons
Little Willy – The Sweet
Violent Femmes – Blister in the sun
Jake Owen – Barefoot blue jean
Ray Lamontagne – You are the best thing
The Killers – Mr Brightside
Phoebe Ryan – Mine
Ellie Goulding – Burn
Florida Georgia Line – Cruise
Strumbellas – Young & Wild
Outkast – B.O.B.
Wake – Hillsong
Run Wild – For King & Country

There are plenty more where those came from… but really anything that makes me wanna break into a one-woman-flash-mob gets a spot on the playlist. Because music makes mama happy.

So there you have it… a running post from a non-running runner. Or a running non-runner. Whose legs are currently learning how to run. And who thinks that life is a slog, not a sprint.