Running... The Bane of my Existence

Posted on September 8, 2014

I hate running. In elementary school, I did a couple of sports, but quickly decided that they were not for me (in soccer, I enjoyed being goalie or defense because they didn't have to run too much, and I couldn't even handle basketball when I was playing because I just saw it as pointless running). In middle school, I always had my nose in a book, and in high school, I was a drama geek.

Fast forward a few years later, and I'm overweight. I know that exercise is good for me. I enjoy walking on trails and just being outside. What I don't enjoy? Being exhausted. You know the feeling? Your lungs are burning. You're about to fall down because you can no longer feel your legs and/or they feel so heavy that you think they're going to fall off. You are having trouble breathing, and you stop because you start to have a coughing fit. Your heart is pounding so fast that you think you're about to have a heart attack. Sweat is coursing down your back and you know, you just know that you look like an idiot compared to everyone else around you.

So, please tell me, why did I decide that downloading Zombies, Run! 5k Training was a good idea?

Maybe it's because I've learned that, through games like Just Dance and Wii Fit, some exercise can be fun. Maybe it's because I like that there's a storyline (ok, so I still have my nose in a book most of the time). Maybe it's because my mom suggested it to me. Maybe it's because I've joined DietBet, and in addition to losing weight, I want to be more active and healthy. Maybe (and this is the kicker) it's because I want to like running.

I want to be able to go running on trails and not feel those horrible effects of running (or, if I do, I want to embrace them as a testament of being active). I want to be able to keep up with my friends and family. I want to be able to see how I can cut down my time. I want to have a less than 10 minute mile. I want to have something that shows myself that I can do this.

Why did I download the 5k Training instead of the other version? One, it was cheaper. Two, it takes me through eight weeks of endurance building, workouts, and stretches until, by the end of week 8, I should be able to run a 5k. All this with the threat of zombies chasing after me. Hopefully, buy the end of week 8, I'll enjoy running enough to download Zombies, Run! and continue my story fighting and running from zombies.

Or maybe, at the end of it all, I just want to be able to outrun a group of zombies. You know, just in case the zombie apocalypse comes.

Comment Now!

Sherryl

10/07/2014 6:26PM

Great blog, Danae! Hahaha!! You make me laugh. I too have "Get Running" app - much like the "5K Training" one and "Zombies, Run!" --- and if I could stick with it long enough to not have to keep re-running Week 3 I might be ready to out run the Zombies one day!!

At the same time as I start "Get Running" I also use "Nike+" - this tracks speed, distance and maps my course (and keeps a total of the mileage I've run to date). I set my playlist (in Nike+) to music I love and the time goes by quickly (either outside or on the treadmill) This works really well for me.

Okay -- you've motivated me --- I'm heading off to run Week 4!!

Thanks for both the laughter and the motivation :-)

Courtney

09/12/2014 6:48AM

Bahaha love it and so true. Amazing how many like minded ppl are on here. Your gonna be so kick butt the zombies will run from you!

Lynda H.

09/08/2014 9:22PM

Love this post! Thanks for sharing.

Danae likes this comment.

Danae

No problem :)

09/08/2014 8:33PM

I felt the exact same way when I began running. I have always WANTED to like running, but I still struggle with the reality of what a pain in the a$$ it can be. Since you like books, maybe you can run to audiobooks. I certainly enjoy it.

Danae likes this comment.

Danae

I hadn't really thought of doing that before. Thanks for the suggestion!

Lisa G

09/08/2014 8:25PM

You make me laugh because you are exactly like me - only you're attempting this feat earlier in life than I am. We'll have to compare notes on those zombies. :)

Danae likes this comment.

Danae

Well, I had to get it from somewhere, right? I don't think I got it from Dad. ;P Didn't he run on the beach with Sandy when you two were first married?

Robin

09/08/2014 4:23PM

Great post ;) I hope you learn to love running too! I'm addicted....but only as of recent! I didn't HATE it in my 20s....but had no love affair with it either. ...but now at age 50 after 8 months of running, I am hooked! So keep running and let us know how you do with it!

Danae likes this comment.

Danae

I am certainly impressed! Right now, I can only think of trying to follow through with the app, taking it week by week (and I'll be sure to keep blogging about it... I hope), but here you are, running for 8 months! How did you get started?