I Can Run a Mile After All (and Now I Can Track My Runs, Too)!
By: Stepfanie Romine,
SparkPeople Blogger
3/19/2009 6:00 AM : 243 comments
"I only run when chased."
That was my answer any time I was asked about running, otherwise known as torture disguised as exercise.
If I ran, it would be:
1. to catch a bus, plane or train
2. to outrun someone chasing me (This never happened, but I imagined myself screaming, arms flailing, heels breaking and purse flapping on my arm.)
Running made my lungs burn, my shins ache and my body feel like it was being shaken violently. Though I could get through an entire Spinning class or 45 minutes on the elliptical with no problem, I could only manage to run a block or two before giving up.
Still, all of my friends are runners, at least casually. I've greeted friends at the end of marathons, celebrated their success after 10Ks and helped them carbo load before big races. But I was always happy just supporting them.
Some time last year, I saved the article "You Can Run a Mile Without Stopping" as a SparkFavorite. "Maybe some day," I said. "Some day I'll be able to run a mile."
All winter long, I happily took Spinning classes, sweating and pedaling my way across unseen hilled terrain. After months of cold, dark days, an unexpected burst of sunshine one Sunday in February made me reconsider my deep-held aversion to running.
I decided to try running because I was feeling lazy and I don't like to drive. I live downtown, and I have to head to the suburbs, where the SparkPeople office is located, to go to the gym or visit most "good" stores. I wanted to hit the gym and go to the pharmacy, but I didn't want to get in the car on such a gorgeous day. So I decided I could walk to the pharmacy downtown instead, but that short walk wouldn't give me very much cardio. I was craving an intense cardio workout.
Feeling particularly ambitious, I decided to run to the pharmacy, then walk home with my purchase.
"Yes," I decided. "I'll run. I'm SURE I can run at least the half-mile to the pharmacy."
I set out, heart rate monitor on and iPod stocked with a new, upbeat playlist. I had some cash, a reusable bag in my jacket pocket, and my apartment key.
I was ready--but nervous and slightly dreading the impending workout.
"Slow and steady," I reminded myself as I headed out. The wind was lightly blowing, and with the sun shining on me, it was about 65 degrees. The sun felt great, and so did I. After two blocks, my lungs weren't burning, my legs weren't aching, and my mind wasn't giving up on me.
I kept going, past the pharmacy, past the next landmark I set for myself, and past a third landmark. I ran for 20 minutes straight--far more than the mile I'd thought I couldn't run!
I cooled down, walked to the pharmacy and then headed home. The sun was still shining, I was smiling, and I thought about whether the weather would hold out so I could run again soon!
Since then, I've run a few more times, usually for about two miles each time.
I like being outside and running through downtown neighborhoods near my apartment. You won't find me training for a marathon any time soon (or probably ever!), but I would like to run a 5K for fun this summer.
EXCITING NEWS! SparkPeople has just made it easier for me (and all of you) to track your runs and walks. We have just launched Fitness Maps! (NOTE: This works for any country in the world. I experimented with routes in Paris, Toronto, London, Sydney, Seoul and other world cities!)
This feature allows you to see how far you walk, run, or bike when exercising outdoors, then save your routes for the next time. This feature is very easy to use. Just:
1. Go to the Fitness Maps page (it is located under Healthy Lifestyle/Fitness, in the center of the page)
2. Enter the starting address
3. Click points on the map to draw your route; note that you can zoom the map in or out for more or less detail
4. Enter the amount of time it took you to complete your workout (to calculate your average speed)
We will then give you your total mileage, your average speed, and even the calories burned. You can then add your calories burned to your fitness tracker.
You can also:
That was my answer any time I was asked about running, otherwise known as torture disguised as exercise.
If I ran, it would be:
1. to catch a bus, plane or train
2. to outrun someone chasing me (This never happened, but I imagined myself screaming, arms flailing, heels breaking and purse flapping on my arm.)
Running made my lungs burn, my shins ache and my body feel like it was being shaken violently. Though I could get through an entire Spinning class or 45 minutes on the elliptical with no problem, I could only manage to run a block or two before giving up.
Still, all of my friends are runners, at least casually. I've greeted friends at the end of marathons, celebrated their success after 10Ks and helped them carbo load before big races. But I was always happy just supporting them.
Some time last year, I saved the article "You Can Run a Mile Without Stopping" as a SparkFavorite. "Maybe some day," I said. "Some day I'll be able to run a mile."
All winter long, I happily took Spinning classes, sweating and pedaling my way across unseen hilled terrain. After months of cold, dark days, an unexpected burst of sunshine one Sunday in February made me reconsider my deep-held aversion to running.
I decided to try running because I was feeling lazy and I don't like to drive. I live downtown, and I have to head to the suburbs, where the SparkPeople office is located, to go to the gym or visit most "good" stores. I wanted to hit the gym and go to the pharmacy, but I didn't want to get in the car on such a gorgeous day. So I decided I could walk to the pharmacy downtown instead, but that short walk wouldn't give me very much cardio. I was craving an intense cardio workout.
Feeling particularly ambitious, I decided to run to the pharmacy, then walk home with my purchase.
"Yes," I decided. "I'll run. I'm SURE I can run at least the half-mile to the pharmacy."
I set out, heart rate monitor on and iPod stocked with a new, upbeat playlist. I had some cash, a reusable bag in my jacket pocket, and my apartment key.
I was ready--but nervous and slightly dreading the impending workout.
"Slow and steady," I reminded myself as I headed out. The wind was lightly blowing, and with the sun shining on me, it was about 65 degrees. The sun felt great, and so did I. After two blocks, my lungs weren't burning, my legs weren't aching, and my mind wasn't giving up on me.
I kept going, past the pharmacy, past the next landmark I set for myself, and past a third landmark. I ran for 20 minutes straight--far more than the mile I'd thought I couldn't run!
I cooled down, walked to the pharmacy and then headed home. The sun was still shining, I was smiling, and I thought about whether the weather would hold out so I could run again soon!
Since then, I've run a few more times, usually for about two miles each time.
I like being outside and running through downtown neighborhoods near my apartment. You won't find me training for a marathon any time soon (or probably ever!), but I would like to run a 5K for fun this summer.
EXCITING NEWS! SparkPeople has just made it easier for me (and all of you) to track your runs and walks. We have just launched Fitness Maps! (NOTE: This works for any country in the world. I experimented with routes in Paris, Toronto, London, Sydney, Seoul and other world cities!)
This feature allows you to see how far you walk, run, or bike when exercising outdoors, then save your routes for the next time. This feature is very easy to use. Just:
1. Go to the Fitness Maps page (it is located under Healthy Lifestyle/Fitness, in the center of the page)
2. Enter the starting address
3. Click points on the map to draw your route; note that you can zoom the map in or out for more or less detail
4. Enter the amount of time it took you to complete your workout (to calculate your average speed)
We will then give you your total mileage, your average speed, and even the calories burned. You can then add your calories burned to your fitness tracker.
You can also:
- Save your route to access it later
- Share your route so other members can see
- Use the city dropdown at the top of the page to see routes in your city
- Delete or change part of your route (click on the red markers to delete a step in your route)
We hope this feature makes it easier to calculate your distance and calories for routes, to remember your routes, and to find great new routes that other members have done!
Are you a runner? Did you immediately like it, or did it take you awhile? And all you runners, walkers, hikers, and bikers: Are you going to try our new Fitness Maps feature?
 You will earn 5 SparkPoints |
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Comments
One more time Spark ups the ante! - 3/21/2009 7:22:27 PM
I not an avid runner myself. It takes a lot of motivation to get me to run. When I played sports in high school, I dreaded the warm-up lap at the beginning of practice. Now, I'm training for my second marathon. I ran my first in October, 2006. Why, do you ask? There are about 5 other people from work, that are doing it with me. I found that if I have hace the same goal as other people I know. It makes running alot more motivating. We compare mileages and experiences during our training. We don't neccessarily get together and run, but we encourage one another throughout the whole process.
I started out slow, tracking my distance and time. As I felt better, it all improved.
Yes, I had a hard time running a mile, but with time and motivation, it is getting alittle bit easier. - 3/21/2009 3:17:10 PM
THANK YOU VERY MUCH! This has motivated me to make sure I take a lunch time walk on a daily basis. - 3/21/2009 1:24:44 PM
- 3/21/2009 12:13:59 PM
About the blog post: I walk *a lot* - that's how I 'commute' to work. Earlier this year, while walking at the Y between basketball games that my kids were in, I remembered how much I used to love running (I was a distance runner, 5th grade through 12th) and I thought: maybe I should try running again. I set a goal of running a mile by my birthday in mid-May, and running a 5K in the fall. But happily, I found I could run much further than I expected and now I'm registered for a 5K at the end of May. This past week I ran almost 2 miles (as part of a 5K training class). I haven't felt this sense of accomplishment in a long time! - 3/20/2009 10:39:03 PM
i started jogging just two years ago, with a 0-to-5k program. i had always found running hard to enjoy before then, always felt so out of breath but tried it when pushed by someone else. but that time i decided to do it for myself and the most important thing i've learned about myself since then is that slow and steady is the best way to approach any new activity. i can now jog without stopping for an hour and it has taken me time to get there but i never knew i could do it before. now i know i can! :) - 3/20/2009 5:59:29 PM
Recently, on a whim on a really nice day, I figured I'd go for a jog outside, which I don't think I've ever done. It was about 3 miles round trip that I'd planned to do, and I figured I would just walk if I needed to. I ended up jogging the entire time and totally surprised myself by ENJOYING it! Maybe I DO like running!
I did not know about the route tracker -- I'll have to check that out next time I get the urge to run. I still prefer my cardio classes at the gym, but sometimes it's good to have a change of pace! - 3/20/2009 2:54:12 PM
I have tried running various times and never quite "took" to it... but I still try! Maybe one of these days I won't feel like my heart is going to jump out of my chest and take a cab home!
And I LOOOOOOOOOVE the fitness route tracker! That is so freaking amazing!! - 3/20/2009 2:28:24 PM
- 3/20/2009 12:35:07 PM
I have always run, since high school, but only a few miles (generally 3) at a time. It wasn't until last Summer that I decided enough was enough, and I upped my mileage. First to 6, then on and on till winter. I just started back running in February, and have my first 1/2 marathon in May, and Marathon (yikes!!) in October. The support I get from Spark has definitely given me the motivation and encouragement I need to continually up my mileage, and even my speed. Talking to avid runners on a regular basis, comparing stories, etc. is the BEST thing that I can't get at home. I seem to be the only runner I know, and it's hard to be the motivator all the time. I thank Spark for giving me the courage and the determination to see what I can do. And ya know what? I seem to be able to do a LOT! WOO HOO!!!! - 3/20/2009 11:33:32 AM
Love the Fitness maps - can't wait use it even for my walking. - 3/20/2009 10:59:36 AM
I don't know if I will ever run, other than across a busy street, but this does give one hope
Thanks Sparks for always being on top of what we need. - 3/20/2009 10:58:39 AM
Does anyone know how to publish the route on your page? I think that would be awesome! - 3/20/2009 10:24:39 AM
I am so excited about this new feature. I have been using mapmyrun.com but I am so excited to have something that dovetails into sparkpeople! I will use it for sure! - 3/20/2009 10:00:43 AM
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