Nicole in D.C.

Everything I know about running, I learned from my 9th grade gym class teacher. However, I didn’t pay much attention in 9th grade; I was more interested in the boy in my journalism class and how I could make sure I got to class fastest from the gym to sit at his table during class.

Running around a track or a field outside wasn’t stimulating and seemed pointless at the time. The boys would always lap me and taller girls would finish first. I hated running then, and have been afraid of it ever since.

A few years back, these New Balance commercials really intrigued me and almost made me want to run… but not quite enough to get me off my butt to do it.

I’m not sure what took me so long to get on the treadmill… I’m not afraid of a little a lot of sweat, I thoroughly enjoy working out, and am trying desperately to get into shape while still in my mid-twenties.

One of the biggest fears I had prior to stepping on the treadmill was the possibility of having bad form. How freely should your arms really move? Would I run like Pheobe in that episode of FRIENDS?

Also, what happens when you let go of the bar in front of you? Will you slide right off the back end like in a bad movie? What if you wind up running from side to side? Will I sound like a heard of elephants running down a bowling alley?

The only thing I remember from 9th grade gym class was our teacher telling us to hold our hands like there was a delicate potato chip between our fingers. Don’t ball your fingers into a fist and don’t squeeze your energy into your hands.

Once I stepped on, I realized that I didn’t need to answer any of those questions until I just did it.

I began doing intervals of 10 minutes – seven minutes jogging/running, three minutes walking. After three of those, I then did three more 7 minute intervals – four minutes running, three minutes walking. All in all, I ran/walked for nearly 60 minutes straight and it’s safe to say I got a good workout; I think even my fingernails are sweating.

More than anything, I feel accomplished. I’ve lived on the Blue/Orange line for 90% of my adult life and never really had residential areas to run in. Now that I live in a tree-lined, residential neighborhood with a bunch of rich yuppies on the Red line, people are constantly running… and constantly making me feel bad for not running.

Now, I can’t say I don’t know how to run. Or that I’m a bad runner. Yeah, it may take two sports bras and a super tight athletic tank to strap my chest down, but I can run!

ahahaha- I loved that episode of friends!

Good job on the running! It becomes an obsession quick!

Comment by Amy @ Second City Randomness February 26, 2010 @ 9:23 am

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Thanks Amy! Yeah, it felt great at the time, but I’m still super sore 48 hours later. It’s definitely a full-body workout!

Comment by nicoleindc February 28, 2010 @ 3:02 am

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That’s so inspiring! I’ve been doing my best to get up and about early to get some running in (inside, until the weather gets better, ugh!).

Glad to hear you’ve gotten over your fears, though! I’d say I still prefer biking (do you bike?) but sometimes a good run can really make you feel good. I find that when I wake up early and go for a run I always have waaay more energy during the day–even if means having to go with a little less sleep!

@alexpriest

Comment by Alex February 26, 2010 @ 9:52 am

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Thanks, Alex! I’m trying! The post-college life has taken its toll… I never thought I’d say I miss walking 5 DC blocks between each class, but I definitely do. While most people I knew gained 15 pounds their first semester, I lost it when I came to DC!

Also, I actually don’t know how to ride a bike, but I really, really want to learn how so I could ease my dependence on the bus and metro a little more. Plus, it’d be great exercise. I’m also weird in that I like to work out at night, take a shower, and go right to bed.

Comment by nicoleindc February 28, 2010 @ 3:06 am

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Ha! I am also terribly afraid of running…well, and exercising in general. I feel like if I go to the gym, everyone will know I’m an impostor.

And your fear of letting go of the bar made me laugh out loud…I feel the same way. In my random spurts of motivation when I’ve tried running, I’ll always let go of the bar for a moment, and then chicken out and grab it again. Because what happens if you don’t run straight? I don’t run straight in real life, so why should that change on a treadmill.

That whole interval thing seems like a great idea though. Makes it seem less intimidating than just trying to run for awhile. Maybe I’ll try it!

Congrats on your accomplishment!

Comment by Michal February 28, 2010 @ 3:00 am

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Michal – I totally felt like an impostor when I first started going in college, but I quickly got over it. After a few times, you get the hang of it.

I was TERRIFIED of letting go of the bar. The machine I was using doesn’t have one of those wrist straps that make the machine stop if you fall off or get a shoelace caught. I totally didn’t run straight… hell, I can barely walk straight when wearing flat shoes. It didn’t really matter though. I just tried not to overcorrect, just like in driving. It seemed to work out alright.

The intervals definitely worked. I changed up the speed every time, too, depending on how out of breath I still was or how much I wanted to exert myself. It was just a big trial and error session.

Thanks for reading and good luck starting your job Monday!!! We’ll have to find time to get together to swap knitting/crochet lessons once you figure out your schedule

Comment by nicoleindc February 28, 2010 @ 3:16 am

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Yeah for running I need to start running outside again, now that spring is on her way. I always hated treadmills because I have add, ha.

Comment by larkfly March 2, 2010 @ 10:25 pm

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