The background:
I had made a commitment this year
that it would be about action, which included getting healthy; however, I
quickly learned that I wasn’t going to be able to do it on my own. While attending graduate school in Waterloo,
I started to meet up with a group from a local gym to participate in a “learn
to run” program. I came across the opportunity
while using a free pass to a gym, there in the change room was a poster = “FREE learn to run clinic – for members and
non-members” – a quick glance at the start date and I realized it was just
after my free week would expire. I ran
my first race with the ladies I met through this program and really enjoyed the
experience (though wasn’t so happy with my time). When I moved to Calgary I completely gave up
jogging as I was busy settling back into the city, working full time and
finishing up my thesis long distance.
The lesson:
The biggest thing I have learned
with being back in Calgary is that I work way better with a scheduled
class. When I lived in Waterloo I would
attend a particular yoga class, or have jogging dates with my friends and then
the “running” clinic with the gym. My
first year in Waterloo there was a group of girls from my program who would all
get together and attend workout classes twice a week. I have since learned that I am not very good
at motivating myself and that if I join a group or class that will help hold me
accountable I will actually follow through.
Joining the Learn to Run Clinic:
The “Learn to Run” clinic I
joined is through the Running Room here in Calgary. My session actually started on April 8th, but I
didn’t sign up until the following Monday (April 15th). When the 15th came around I was still debating
if I wanted to sign up for the clinic and debated whether I thought I might be
moving or if I could truly commit to it.
At 5:15, I made the commitment to do it as long as I could and if life
changed, I would adapt. My run clinic
started at 6pm that day! I completed the
second week and I am now on the third week of the clinic and figured I will
start writing about my “learn to run” journey.
Week 3 Recap (so far):
I was super impressed today – our
group ran 3.0km, which was a half kilometer more than we ran on Monday. I couldn’t believe how amazing I felt and I
realized that when I actually participate, I very much enjoy running. Today there were a few intervals that I
struggled with, wondering if my body was actually going to be capable of this
challenge of jogging again. I am coming
back from a knee injury, which is partly true and partly the excuse I use to
not go out and do things. By the last
interval I was feeling strong and loved the feeling of the wind on my face. I am excited to join my group again on Friday
to hit the pathway!
