The Lows and Highs of My Jog Today

Posted on September 17, 2014

So I thought about doing yoga yesterday but decided to take a complete rest day as I worked out for more than 6 days in a row. Felt really good physically yesterday so had no issues at all getting up this morning to run at 5:30am.

I go to a lake which is around 3.25 miles of mostly flat sidewalk around it. I'm working my way up to jogging the full loop by breaking it up into 3-4 intervals of jogging and walking with me setting a goal of at least increasing the distance of the first jog interval and increase the jog interval of the remaining if my legs can handle it.

The lows:

1. A couple was jogging the opposite direction. Usually you'd see each other twice at the opposite point on the other side of the lake assuming we both are jogging the same speed. I saw them THREE TIMES and I haven't even completed the loop yet. Damn I'm slow!

2. Thinking about how slow I was while jogging, a woman and her dog comes up from behind and proceeds to jog past me and disappears in the distance. The dog couldn't have weight more than 15-20 lbs and looked about as big as my cat. Beaten by a teeny, tiny dog! I must be really, really, slow! At this stage, people taking a brisk walk can probably blow past me!

3. During the walk intervals, my legs were beat but I tried to walk somewhat fast. Guess not as the people walking in front of me were getting smaller so they were definitely walking faster than me. Feeling deflated now at this point.

4. The GPS on my phone was losing the link so I have no idea how far I jogged and how far I walked. Had to go by physical landmarks from past jogs to kinda estimate distance. My phone sucks!

5. Even though I rested, I felt like I wasn't jogging as much as it APPEARED that subsequent jog intervals were shorter because my legs got tired faster. Couldn't tell because of the stupid GPS.

The highs:

1. I did jog farther the the first interval.

2. With the GPS out of whack and my legs getting tired quicker, I assumed I was jogging less but I guess I was either jogging more or my pace was quicker than previous jogs around the lake because I completed it a minute quicker with a time of 42 minutes.

So, I guess I did ok and I'm slowly building up the endurance. I know when I can jog the loop completely I should have a time around 32 minutes. Goal is to be able to do it in under 30 minutes. Started looking at 5Ks to join in November and December. Cold for sure but need to do a few and get some cool swag showing my accomplishments! :)

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Leila

10/08/2014 2:54PM

Why are you comparing yourself ( & beating yourself up) to others?!? Focus on you. Your distance increased first. Then speed. I would encourage you to do speed walking at your higher weights instead of jog/ run. Weight coming down on your knees/ knee damage is no fun. Post surgery at 54 my knees prevent me from so many things I enjoy.

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CHUD Hombre

Yeah, I wasn't really upset or beating myself up. It was just some observations of where I'm at now compared to others. I know my limitations so I'm fine with everything that happened that day. As for my knees, I'm surprised they feel pretty good. I've definitely had knee issues when I was around 330 lbs but ever since I dropped 50 lbs and started doing yoga, my knees haven't been too sore.

Les

09/21/2014 5:35PM

Perfect, we are going to keep each other accountable for many months!

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LA Miller

09/18/2014 5:38AM

I used to be a runner (knee injury/surgery) in the past, and one thing my coach would always say is to listen to your body. Not every day will feel good. Not evey run will be your fastest. Those things don't really matter in the end. What is important is that you are getting out there and challenging yourself to grow as a runner. You have to respect your down days just as much as you celebrate your good days. Just like everything else - it's a process. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. ;) I have a feeling you'll take that dog in a race in no time! Besides - how fast would you be with 4 legs?!

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Denise K.

09/17/2014 9:47AM

I ran a half-marathon a life-time ago. I was coached by a marathoner. During the first few weeks he insisted that I just put in the mileage with walk/running the best I could, no speed, just get through it ~ the full distance, be consistent and put in the mileage. (Be SURE to build in your rest days). Speed and strength comes with consistency. Over time, you'll be able to run a little more and walk a little less and it'll feel good. Lemme tell ya, if I can do it, you can do it. Keep up the good work and forget about everyone and everything else, just try and enjoy the feeling of actually being out there, in the fresh air, doing something GREAT for your body! Go get it!!

CHUD Hombre

I don't think I'll ever like running enough to do a half-marathon, let alone a 10K. I know I can do it as I did the C25K program last year and ran 2 5Ks. Just getting back into running as that helped a lot shedding the pounds last year.

Denise K.

Listen, running at all, any distance is a challenge. I just shared my running experience because, in any form of exercise, the foundation (the beginning stages) can make all the difference for what lies ahead in the way of pain and suffering! LOL! Just keep plodding along, slow and steady, what you're doing is perfect!

CHUD Hombre

09/17/2014 9:20AM

But the dog, people! The dog! That thing was so small and it was beating me! :)

Michelle R.

Weightless ball of energy on 4 legs! We don't stand a chance

CHUD Hombre

LOL! No kidding!

Mary Hatchet

09/17/2014 9:11AM

Well, the important part is that you're out there! I did a charity walk and roll on roller skates a few months ago on the Lake Michigan path. It was so windy that I got smoked by a bunch of people running :) I was getting blown backwards on my wheels and people were passing me left and right. But I was out there doing it, so who cares? You're not competing against them, only yourself!

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Barbara A.

My view at 5:30 AM is the inside of my eyelids!

CHUD Hombre

Sometimes I run with my eyes barely opened as I'm still not awake yet. :)

KnitterBeth

09/17/2014 8:50AM

Just remember - no matter how slow you're going, you're lapping everyone who's sitting at home on the couch. :)

You are doing awesome. Compare yourself to the You of yesterday, not to everyone who passes (or doesn't pass) you. Keep up the great work!

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CHUD Hombre

09/17/2014 8:45AM

@Christy, yeah my problem is pacing myself. I guess I was rested enough that I felt like I could go faster even though I didn't think I was.

CHUD Hombre

09/17/2014 8:40AM

@Barbara, I'm in MA also! I go around the lake in Wakefield. Interested in a 5K in November or December? :)

Barbara A.

I am near you. Yes! - I will look too and see what is in the area. Some of the people at my WW meeting have been doing fun runs and know what is going on

CHUD Hombre

I've already looked at a couple of 5Ks for November and December that I'm considering. Just trying to work up the courage to sign up for it now since I haven't completed a full 5K jog since last October.

Barbara A.

09/17/2014 8:21AM

That is awesome. Try not to worry about others. I am walking/jogging myself and try to add to my distance and speed. Adding distance is easier for me, but thinking speed will come over time. Also looking for some untimed fun runs too. I am in MA and seems like we went from summer to fall in a day.

Keep it up.

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CHUD Hombre

No kidding on the weather! I'm currently looking at a 5K in early Nov in Brighton and a turkey day run somewhere in Boston as well. Should be able to jog the 5K around the lake by mid to end of Oct. At least that's the goal!