Running Life
I have been running for a year and a half. After my grandpa died last January I had this urge, and well, need to do more exercise and want to care for my health a bit more, I guess I realised life was too short. I heard about this Interval Training style class in my village on Saturday mornings, so I thought right I’ll give it a go. I went there confident because I had done tug of war and walked the dogs everyday, I thought that was enough. Well I had a slap in the face, because after I nearly passed out from being so out of breath, and let’s face it, unfit as well as seeing people older than my mum were fitter than me, I thought good grief something needs to be done.
I went to these classes for a while, but I knew something else had to be done. So I started jogging. I started off slow and short, and eventually I got to 5K in July after starting in February. I was pretty pleased with myself.
Running became part of my life routine, something I enjoyed, a way to escape. And the escaping bit that I use running for, I have since realised it is exactly why I do it. Of course it is for the keeping my body toned and staying fit and healthy, but it was to escape. I have always suffered a bit with low self esteem, and well, mental instability. So running I feel cured me of going to, I don’t know, that dark place I guess.
But I have found this year, with my running I have made a vital mistake. One that has cost me, in my mind, a lot. I never, EVER stretched before or after a run. I always thought it was over rated, and because I’m in my early 22s I didn’t think I needed to. How wrong I was. I had been suffering from groin pain for about 7 months now and I ignored it, until a few weeks ago it got so bad I was crying in agony and anything I did was painful. I went to a physio, got some exercises but since found out I have a twisted pelvis and a tear in my groin on the left and right side. Not good. So I’m only allowed to do light exercise. I thought it would be okay. But I’m struggling to cope with the small things in life, mentally now without my running. I’m doing Legs, Bums and Tums and cycling at the gym. Both are great, but they aren’t quite cutting the mustard.
I’m hoping to be up and running (haha see what I did there!?) soon...especially before I go travelling in September because I wanted to be able to go running in Australia and New Zealand along the beaches and around the beautiful countryside. We shall see.
So the bottom line is folks, stretch before and after running, or any type of exercise, or you could suffer in more way than one, just like me! Stretching helps improve the mobility in your muscles and not put any unwanted strain on those all important body parts which can then cause unwanted pain or injury. It is also recommended to only push yourself by 10% more each week and no more, so have a target in mind and figure out the time frame it will take to get there.
It would be great to hear other people’s life as a runner, and maybe then I won’t feel I’m being a silly old fart being over dramatic! And if you are guilty of not stretching before and after running or exercising, there are plenty of different suggestions online that are helpful- the NHS website I find helpful.
I went to these classes for a while, but I knew something else had to be done. So I started jogging. I started off slow and short, and eventually I got to 5K in July after starting in February. I was pretty pleased with myself.
Running became part of my life routine, something I enjoyed, a way to escape. And the escaping bit that I use running for, I have since realised it is exactly why I do it. Of course it is for the keeping my body toned and staying fit and healthy, but it was to escape. I have always suffered a bit with low self esteem, and well, mental instability. So running I feel cured me of going to, I don’t know, that dark place I guess.
But I have found this year, with my running I have made a vital mistake. One that has cost me, in my mind, a lot. I never, EVER stretched before or after a run. I always thought it was over rated, and because I’m in my early 22s I didn’t think I needed to. How wrong I was. I had been suffering from groin pain for about 7 months now and I ignored it, until a few weeks ago it got so bad I was crying in agony and anything I did was painful. I went to a physio, got some exercises but since found out I have a twisted pelvis and a tear in my groin on the left and right side. Not good. So I’m only allowed to do light exercise. I thought it would be okay. But I’m struggling to cope with the small things in life, mentally now without my running. I’m doing Legs, Bums and Tums and cycling at the gym. Both are great, but they aren’t quite cutting the mustard.
I’m hoping to be up and running (haha see what I did there!?) soon...especially before I go travelling in September because I wanted to be able to go running in Australia and New Zealand along the beaches and around the beautiful countryside. We shall see.
So the bottom line is folks, stretch before and after running, or any type of exercise, or you could suffer in more way than one, just like me! Stretching helps improve the mobility in your muscles and not put any unwanted strain on those all important body parts which can then cause unwanted pain or injury. It is also recommended to only push yourself by 10% more each week and no more, so have a target in mind and figure out the time frame it will take to get there.
It would be great to hear other people’s life as a runner, and maybe then I won’t feel I’m being a silly old fart being over dramatic! And if you are guilty of not stretching before and after running or exercising, there are plenty of different suggestions online that are helpful- the NHS website I find helpful.
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