So, I DESPISED running. I hated it with a burning passion every time I had to run more than a few feet while training for sports in middle school and high school. I couldn’t understand people who said they liked it or that it kept them sane or that they looked forward to it. I thought they were a bit looney if I’m being honest π .
My partner ran a bit when we lived in NYC – I never went with him π . I went to the gym and lifted heavy instead. Then he got back into running around when the pandemic started and I’d tell him good luck…while staying on the couch πΒ .
Like many of his interests, such as FIRE, he tried to get me into it. And also similar to FIRE, I was completely resistant to it. I even said I would “NEVER run” and I never say never as a general rule.
However, it turns out that the parallels between running and FIRE don’t end there. I didn’t want to run or pursue FIRE because of assumptions I had about both of them…assumptions that turned out to be incorrect. My assumptions were:
- FIRE requires sacrifice
- Running has to be fast
My (Incorrect) Start
So 2 years into my partner running regularly, my friend who routinely runs marathons and then climbs a mountain the next day for fun, mentioned the run/walk/run method of running. My partner had mentioned this previously as well, but for some reason hearing the same words from a literal Amazon of a woman who enjoys this shit, was what finally made me decide to try.
I love walking and thought “I can do that.” The run/walk method starts with you mostly walking with some quick 1-3 minute runs in between. Finally, this sounded doable!
So I set out on my first run when we were enjoying our month in Catskill, NY…and I almost died π . And once again, OF COURSE I’m not being overdramatic! I came back panting and furiously trying to catch my breath with my asthma inhaler before laying on the floor and staying there for quite a while while hacking coughs wracked my body. It was not fun π .
It turns out, I had been running too fast. I was doing it wrong π . However, while running, I thought I was going too slow because the only running I had done was literally a timed competition for the tennis team or a gym class. And I always tried to win – even if that meant throwing up afterwards (…competitive much?!).
So I looked for a more structured approach and found an amazing (and free) Android app, called Just Run. It’s an awesome “couch to 5K” program that starts with 90 second intervals of running and then walking on repeat until you’ve been working out for 20 minutes plus a 5 minute warm up at the front end and a 5 minute cool down at the back end.
I also started reading Slow Jogging: Lose Weight, Stay Healthy, and Have Fun with Science-Based, Natural RunningΒ and looking into the tenets of a walk/run approach. Basically it says you should be running at a conversational pace – a pace where you could talk to someone, which BLEW MY MIND! I could never talk while running – not even CLOSE!
So I knew I was running way too fast. It also taught me that I should be going slow enough that I can easily land on the middle of my foot, which helps avoid injury to your knees. If I wasn’t landing there, that’s another indication that I was going too fast. Genius!
So now I had the method (my Just Run app), and a way to regulate my speed, (a conversational pace and landing on the middle of my foot). After that, I ordered some workout gear to help this be even more enjoyable. I got a new sports bra, racerback wicking shirts and sweet leggings that have phone pockets and a secret compartment for your wallet and keys. I was ready!
My (Actual) Start
From the beginning of this actual attempt at running, I enjoyed it. I already loved using walking as my main form of transportation, but now those walks were punctuated with a little challenge in the middle that I called “just keep running.” It didn’t matter if I was going at a snail’s pace up a hill – I just made myself keep going.
And if at times I couldn’t make it all the way up the hill without switching to walking for a hot second, that’s ok! I still tried. Despite giving myself this leeway, I only walked partially up a hill once during my 9 week program, which took me from those 90 second runs to a full 30 minutes…where I felt like I could have run another half hour π . According to Slow Jogging, that’s another indiction that you’re running at a good speed for you – if you could easily keep running after your workout is finished.
But back to the Catskills, I was curious how I would keep up this habit while I was moving all over the US (and in 2022 the world), but I shouldn’t have been worried. There are places to run everywhere – just like there are places to walk. After Catskill, we moved to the Southwest and did a road trip with my Mom.
Everywhere we stayed, my Mom walked with me while I ran. I kept joking that she would pass me while walking, but surprisingly that didn’t happen. My speed was increasing. I discovered this by starting to use the free Strava app on my phone to track my runs. It was great to see my Just Run program progressing to increasingly long running intervals, but seeing that I was also getting faster felt good as well.
After a bit, my partner joined our little morning workout gang and ran with me. It must have been quite a sight – my Mom walking, me run/walking and my partner flat out running circles around us so the group stayed together π , but we made it work and had a great time. I had already been looking forward to my runs because it was (shockingly) fun and I looked forward to them even more when I had people to go out with.
I’m an all or nothing person and my partner recently told me that one of the reasons he wanted to get me into running is because I would make him go running when he didn’t feel like it and that’s definitely been the case π .
Me: Wake up!! It's time to go runningππΎββοΈπ
Partner: Um…no.
Me: Why notπ?!?
The View OutsideβοΈ, 0 degreesπ‘οΈ: pic.twitter.com/Dtj9SgkZbU— A Purple Life (@APurpleLifeBlog) March 13, 2022
I diligently ran my 9 week Just Run program 3 times a week as they recommend, with at least a day in between runs. I also finished that Slow Jogging book and learned that not only does this method help you avoid injury, but it also counterintuitively helps you go faster. My grandmother was a runner. She ran 10 milesΒ for her 50th birthday and my Mom used to make fun of how slow she ran, but it turns out: she knew what was up π !
What Helped Me Run?
Run/Walk Interval App
The Just Run app on Android was integral to getting me into running. It turned something I love (walking) sneakily into running for 30 minutes. It also helped break up the monotony I’d felt previously when just running.
I kept switching it up with the little voice in my headphones saying “Start walking!” The app also helpfully tells you when you’re halfway through the workout so you can turn around and generally makes this challenge bite sized so it doesn’t seem insurmountable.
SLOOOOOW
I had no idea that I had been running too fast this whole time π . Once I slowed down, I didn’t get stitches in my side or find it impossible to catch my breath or feel like I was dying. I was just having a good time running down the road, looking at nature and listening to birds – things I love to do anyway.
I’ve often tested if I’m actually going at a conversational pace by calling my Mom on the phone to talk or by chatting with my partner as he runs beside me. This is not something I could have done previously and despite feeling like I could walk faster than I could run at first (I was doing about 17 minute miles), I’m a lot closer to 10 minute miles now without feeling an additional challenge. It’s basically magic!
Music
I love listening to music when I run. In fact, I created an entire Run/Walk playlist. I’ve mentioned before on this blog that I listen to music basically all the time throughout my day. It helps regulate my moods and makes me happy π . So I brought that same love of music to my running and it’s helped me a lot.
For example, if a hill is coming up, I usually switch to a pump up jam that hilariously makes me go even faster up that hill. Music helps to energize me and I love it. Here are two of my run playlist favorites:
A Goal
Having that couch to 5K program goal and seeing myself slowly improving with longer running times, helped me keep going and activated that competitive part of my brain. But instead of competing against other people on the track or my fellow runners on the road, I’m just competing with my previous self in order to see almost constant improvements and it feels much better than comparing myself to unattainable Olympians π . Doing so also helps me reflect when a new, longer run is challenging one day and super easy a week later – PROGRESS!
I also like that this kind of program is the type of thing you can restart if necessary. For example, I was having a hard time breathing this winter and an even harder time running as a result. My doctor actually told me to stop running until I recovered, so when I got back to it, I restarted my couch to 5K program thinking that I would have lost all my progress, but I hadn’t! And now I’m back in the snowy northeast with a gaiter on running unlike I could in December π .
What Was Unexpected?
Anticipation
I look forward to running, which is wild to me π . I never thought that would be the case because even people who I know that run regularly tell me they dread it or hate it, but know it’s good for them and do it anyway. I’m not built like that π . I only do things I enjoy so it’s good that I’m still liking this and looking forward to it.
Something I wasn’t expecting that contributed to this anticipation was my new run/walk playlist. Whenever one of those songs come on when I’m hanging around the house, I start kind of mime-ing running and it makes me more excited for when I can get back out there (after the proper rest period of course). Wild π .
Body Changes
I’ve seen my body composition change in a short period of time more than I ever have before. Basically my middle has been getting smaller while everything else stays about the same. I’ve started seeing muscles in places I never have before even when I was lifting heavy. It’s cool to see myself getting stronger, which is obviously also reflected in my increased speed and endurance.
Mental/Emotional Changes
My depressive episodes and anxiety have decreased dramatically after retirement, but even more so since I’ve started running. I guess people are onto something π . I enjoy the process of running, look forward to it and it even has benefits after the fact. Wins all around! I also seem to have more energy in general despite running three times a week. Sorcery π .
Conclusion
So I’m a runner now – and that’s not a sentence I thought I would ever write π . I’m really enjoying it and plan to continue as long as I still like it. I recently surpassed a fun milestone: 6 months of continuous running! Maybe I’ll celebrate with a jog through the park π .
What’s a hobby you never thought you would get into? And are there any other questions I can answer about my experience running?
Fantastic write-up of running. It’s great exercise, much maligned because people do it wrongly and injure themselves. You can do it anywhere, in almost all weathers, and it’s a meditative and natural movement. The mental work in keeping going can be great too. I agree with you, it lends itself well to the FIRE mentality in general.
I used to run, and while I never love-loved it, I loved being able to do it in the first place, the ability to run anywhere, and not being tied to a venue or subscription. It was my main form of exercise for over ten years, and the only reason I stopped was because of chondromalacia patalla (my kneecap became misaligned due to unbalanced leg muscles – basically, one side muscle worked more than another and I didn’t offset this with complementary training). I was told by multiple medical professionals to find another form of exercise , so I did. Gutted. My kneecap still crunches every time I flex my leg. The upside is that my exercise regime is more balanced now – a mix of low-impact cardio (swimming) and functional resistance training. I still miss the freedom and mindspace of running though.
Going slow is ideal. Listen to your body. Taking breaks is good, actually, the first few runs after 2 weeks off were always amazing in my experience. I would also advise incorporating other kinds of exercise to work multiple muscles in different ways, to avoid the kind of problem I got. Most importantly: keep enjoying it!
Thank you! And yep – I was one of those people π . I was definitely surprise to see parallels between running and FIRE – that’s not something I see in the world.
I’m sorry about your injury. I’ve never heard of anything like that. I do runs, squats 6x a week and walk as my main source of transportation, but I’ll look into if that’s enough the compliment what I’m doing. Thank you for bringing that to my attention!
Good read. I am a fellow run-hater, but this method sounds doable. Do you recommend the leggings?
Nice! Yeah I love those leggings – I’ve worn them for every run for those 6 months.
No questions from me but your pictures were so delightful. I live in Denver, and Santa Fe is only about a 5-6 hour drive. Iβm very much inspired to take a stab at slow running. Actually some questions popped up, what month would you suggest is the best to visit Santa Fe? And do you research a trail youβd like to try first before going? PS, I love reading your posts. Like running, I look forward to reading what youβre up to. Always inspiring, thank you π
I visited Santa Fe in October/ early November and it was lovely π . Sunny and not cold by the time I was out and about. I don’t research trails before moving to a place, but the Strava app shows where people run in the area and I base my first run around the most popular route and then alter it as needed.
And thank you so much for telling me that!! I’m blushing π .
you succedded. This is just your effort, your discipline, and trial and failure and try again. Good job. You are a winner and you have all my admiration, you did it against the general opinions that the running is for the athletic guys – if you can, almost all people can find his way of running.
Thank you!
I have run over 20,000 miles since starting to run in my mid-thirties, 15 marathons, lots of 5K’s and still get up with my wife and go meet friends to run at 5:30AM three mornings a week. In fact we just got back from our four mile run an hour ago. But I have to say I hate running, I really hate marathons and positively loathe 5K’s. I just took it up to help my tennis game thirty-one years ago and decided to keep it as a mental discipline because its hard and the rest of my life is pretty soft. Plus I enjoy the social time with my running friends during and after the run. But running itself, particularly long runs, ugh, I don’t care how slow or fast I go, its just not pleasant. I’m glad you enjoy it though, my wife does too.
WOW! That’s wildly impressive – especially since you don’t enjoy it. I can’t even imagine that to be honest π .
I used to run. Then medical conditions occurred (asthma, back and knee pain) put me down. The doctor said that’s over for me. I did kyne recuperation for knees and back and rebuild the muscle, I started to walk fast, moved to 5k plan and succeed to run again, slowly, short distances, but I run. Consequences: the lung capacity raised ( measured by allergy doctor, I stop visiting the negative pulmonologist doctor) with 10%, breath better, sleep better, feel better, take the stairs and 12 floors is not anymore a pain, walk a 30k steps on Sundays and I feel great.
One day I will FIRE so that Sunday will be 7 days per week and I will fell better than any moment, and I will find time to go to that negative doctor to told him: “you got wrong with me, I am again a healthy runner never depending on pills”.
The office desk is damaging the health.
That’s awesome you got back into it in a safe way and saw those improvements. I’m also looking forward to you have 7 free days a week π .
that 159 heart rate is rock solid. i would have to guess you will see that come down as you get more and more fit. the other cool thing i notice is resting heart rate comes way down with increased fitness. if you wear that fitness watch while you sleep that resting heart rate will fall into the 50’s. consistency and marginal gains adding up is the name of the game, isn’t it?
That 159 heart rate is sadly not me π . Those were picture from the Strava website. I don’t actually know my heart rate while running, but my partner has a super fancy watch so he knows and I’ve been tempted to join him in fanciness…maybe one day π . That’s awesome to hear though!
I didnβt believe that my anxiety / depression could drop just due to retirement, and I donβt believe I could ever love running!
Well, it turns out my anxiety / depression dropped SO MUCH when I retired, so I guess I have to give running a try! Lol
I do need to improve my cardio endurance for my passion: trapeze. I love working on strength and flexibility but Iβve always avoided cardio! Iβll give these suggestions a try!
Yeah – life is wild like that π . And that sounds so cool – trapeze. I only attempted that for a summer at circus camp (yes I’m serious π ) and that takes SO much hard work. That’s amazing – good luck and please let me know how it goes!
Great post! I developed exercise-induced asthma about 5 years ago (I’m pretty sure from running too fast, all the time) so now it’s all about taking it slow and enjoying it.
Thank you! And wow – that’s wild.
I have enjoyed running more since reading Christopher McDougall’s book “Born to Run” – you should for sure check it out – it’s all about the barefoot running in the desert of the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico. Super interesting and fun read!
I’ll look it up! Thank you for the suggestion π .
Love love love this!! Thank you so much for posting. I love exercise, but HATE running. I tried the couch to 5K years ago, but didn’t stick with it. However now that we no longer belong to a gym, I struggle to really get cardio (just yoga and weights at home) and want to find an easy way for my husband to workout too. Sending him this post right now!
Oh course – I’m so happy you liked it π . Let me know how it goes!
I loved reading this post, Purple!!! You’ve totally inspired me to start running. I read the amazing books BORN TO RUN and RUNNING WITH SHERMAN (both by Christopher McDougall) this past winter and was SUPER inspired to start running, but it was too cold and wet outside for me to run and stay with it (I haven’t run since I was in high school more than 30 years ago). But now that it’s spring, I’ve been thinking I want to try it. So, reading your post this week was perfect timing. Going to try your tips and start slow. Thank you!!!
YAYYYY!!! That’s so wild π . I’ve added those books to my library requests. And let me know how your running goes please – I hope you have a great time!
Agree hard on the slow start. I recall doing the couch to 5K program like 10 years ago. Dreaded every single session because during the “run” portion I would actually run, instead of doing a slow jog.
Also, my form was probably off and I was living in CO back and did this in the winter where it’d hail while I was running often so that probably didn’t help the fun factor either π€£
I think one of the most important thing for running and any other habit we want to build is to make it easy and very winnable. The motivation feeds onto itself very quickly and is more fun.
Oh no lol! Yeah I haven’t dreaded it yet…and I totally agree. Me saying “going out for a run is a win” helps a lot if I had a slow day or I feel off. Just trying is wonderful and fun π !
Good for you Purple! Keep up the good work and the slow and steady. Running is convenient cardio and I took to it (on a treadmill) after I got bored of the elliptical. I ultimately decided I wanted to run a 5K in 35 minutes by the time I was 35, which I achieved. I never thought I would run outside though, but the pandemic made that decision for me. Turns out I am an exercise freak more than I am someone who hates running outside. Welcome to the club! I do really, really miss lifting heavy though but… am cautious about returning to the gym these days. If you want more reading I recommend Exercised by Daniel Lieberman. I’ll have to see if my library has Slow Jogging.
Thank you! And congratulations on achieving that goal π . That’s awesome. And yeah I’m with you about being cautious and missing lifting heavy. I haven’t found a place I feel comfortable doing it again at the moment. And thank you for the suggestions! I’ll look it up at the library.
I’m trying to get in to running too! Thanks for the app recommendation. I haven’t been impressed with the one I was using. What shoes do you wear?
I wear privos, which are also my preferred walking shoe and feel like I’m not wearing shoes at all. I haven’t visited a running store yet to discuss the best kind of running shoe for my foot yet or anything, but that’s what I’m most comfortable in.