This post, and the three following it, were originally posted on McMoments and Memories in 2008. I wanted to add them to this blog as a basis for how I started running and to answer some basic questions.
I had the following comment from SheGazelle on September 5th
"Now you might have covered this already (if so, just point me to the right post,) but I would be interested to hear about how you became interested in and got started running. I mean, I figure you laced up your shoes one day and went out the door to pound the streets, but I just thought there might be more to the story. =)"
In my attempt to answer, this became a total of four posts! I could have put it all in one, but I guess I'm a little ADD because I personally don't like reading posts that go on and on and on, so I decided to break it up! Get ready for running overload for the next few days! Or come back next week...
My first adult attempt at running started in 1996 when I was hired to work for Amgen. At the time, the company had an employee gym, but they also paid up to $200 a year for employees' personal gym memberships. I enrolled at an all ladies gym and started going 5 mornings a week, spending 30 minutes on the treadmill and 30 minutes working out with weights.
It was during that time that I went from walking to running on the treadmill. A lady on the treadmill next to me had a routine of 5 minutes walking, 5 minutes at a high incline, 5 minutes running. She suggested I try it and before long I was running the entire time. Running on a treadmill is the easiest way because all you do is up the speed and your legs either follow or you fall off! The consistent speed of a treadmill is a great way to work on form, no flopping or flailing!
It must be noted that during the year that I faithfully attended the gym, I did not lose any weight! Up to that point in my life (age 32) I had never been on any kind of diet. I was still operating on the thinking that I had a teenager's metabolism!
At the end of that 12 months, I weighed more than I ever had and was discouraged with the gym! Fortunately at that time, Amgen started Weight Watchers at Work meetings and I decided to spend my 200 company dollars on WW fees instead of gym fees. After getting a better understanding of portions, calories, fat, fiber, etc., the weight started coming off. But I knew exercise was also necessary, so I started walking in my neighborhood.
From September 1997 to February 1998 I lost approximately 30 pounds and had worked up to walking/running about 3-4 miles, 4-5 mornings a week. Some days just walking, other days running the majority of the way.
Lest you think I have been a faithful runner since that time, I will relieve your mind at this time! I maintained my weight loss and ran faithfully until late 1998 when Mom passed away. The emotional void was first manifest in my eating habits, although I did keep running. It wasn't until Les went grad school in August 1999 and our schedules got totally out of control that my running fell off. Gradually at first, then completely!
From 1999 to 2003, my running was very hit and miss. I can come up with a million "reasons", but truthfully, I just lost all motivation, even as I had to purchase larger clothes!
Tomorrow: Getting Back on Track
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