Why We Should NOT Run

At some point, every runner gets unsolicited advice from step-aerobic and Zumba girls of why running is bad for you. (Sorry to my step-aerobic and Zumba peeps. You know I love ya!)

Here’s a brief list of what I’ve been told as to why I should not run:

· It’s hard on your body

· You don’t lose any more weight that walking—step aerobics and Zumba are far superior!

· Your heart rate gets too high

· Why waist precious hours in the elements when you could be cozy in your bed?

· It’s bad on your joints

· It’s bad for your back

· It’s bad for your knees

· It’s bad for your butt

And my personal favorite—sage advice from my very own mother:

· YOUR BOOBS AND YOUR FACE WILL SAG!!!

Perhaps the facebra isn’t such a bad invention after all. If runners are so crazy to wreck up their boobs, their butt and their jaw-line, why not be all-the-way crazy and run in one of these?!?!?

~Kimberley

Today’s Run: 48 minutes/3:1’s. Flat and fast. Finished 1 minute faster than Saturday! Whoo Hoo!

Comfort Zones

Today I ran with Nicky. She is a beginner with high hopes and lofty ambitions—I remember those days with sweet fondness. But unlike me, Nicky is brave. When I was in her newbie shoes, I would have never set foot out with a seasoned runner. I was too shy that I wasn’t already a pro, and I was terrified that I might be pushed into running harder, God forbid! But eventually I did it. Eventually I mustered up some long lost courage and even created an event on facebook for gym friends who wanted to hook up and run. Nine people showed up! In true Kindergarten fashioned, we introduced ourselves and announced our mile time. We then broke into groups and RAN! I ran with Kimmy A. who is much faster than I am, but she was willing to run with me at a 9 minute mile pace. And to my great horror—SHE PUSHED ME INTO RUNNING HARDER! I will always be thankful. I had such a runner’s high that I could effortlessly convince a crack addict to give up the blow and just RUN!

There’s just something about getting out of your comfort zone. There is just something about running faster.

What about you? Do you prefer to run in groups or alone?

~Kimberley

Today’s Run: 2 miles outdoors with Nicky. 12 minute mile pace. 2.2 miles treadmill beginning at 6.0 miles/hour and increasing speed every quarter mile. Fun, fun, fun!!!

a new year, a new day, and it's time to run!

I am not a runner...or so I thought. My sister is a world-class runner. My father, when he was young, was an avid runner. But not me--I'd rather just listen to them blabber on and on about running while I did whatever it was that I was interested in doing at the time--but definitely NOT running.

And then I turned 40. I needed a shift. Desperate for a change, I laced up my running shoes and I STARTED TO RUN!!!

My 40th year was a magical year of miles and half-marathons. I ran three half-marathons and logged hundreds of training miles. And somewhere in the midst of those miles, I became a runner.

This year, 2011, I am journaling my way through the miles. I have no doubt that through these next months my heart will heal, my soul will sing, my hair will fly, and I will be forever changed. The anticipation is intoxicating!

~Kimberley

Today's Run: 48 minutes; 3:1's flat and fast with the exception of one 5 minute hill. Balmy with rain--it felt so good on my skin! A great New Year's Day run.