This is a big birthday year for me. I made a decision in 2009 that I want to makes some changes in my life and one of those changes was that I wanted to become a runner. Not sure why this one was on my list but it just felt like something I wanted to do. I had some encouragement early on from my friend Petey Crowder He started running with me in January of 2009. His advice to me at the time was to purchase a Nike+ sensor and use it to track my running. I didn't listen to him and pretty much only lasted a couple months of my new phase. Then in August he gave me a sensor and I started running again.
I've now been running pretty regularly for the last five months. So far I've ran 53 times, for 40 hours, 212 miles, burned 40,000 calories and this month of January I ran 64.15 miles. This month I ran my three longest runs every in my life and my times keep dropping. I was in a battle with my friend Todd Porter to see who could run the most miles. He ran 60 which for him was the most he's ever run too.
I'm planning on running a half marathon in March. For me though this running thing is more than just miles and times. For me running brings a clarity and a focus to my life. I don't have much of a commute (I walk to work) so running for me brings a great separation between my work life and my home life.
So I invite you to think about joining me. The first couple months will be tough. Last year at this time I could barely run 4 miles and even then I was stopping and walking a lot. Today I ran 10 miles at a great pace without any stops. This thing is really fun and I find myself thinking about running every day. It's not quite an obsession yet but it's pretty darn close. And….if it becomes an obsession it's a pretty good one to have.
keep us the good fight! Say, I saw that you are using Nike fit with iPod. Do you have to have Nike shoes or just buy the Nike+ sensor? Just wondering…
I like running. I was doing up to 18 miles on a Saturday when I was helping a buddy train for the White Rock Marathon. But, it made my body hurt everywhere. Feet, ankles, knees, hips, lower back, and shoulders. I bought super-expensive shoes, insoles, and had several running experts look at my gait. I finally settled on the fact that I was too big to put lots of miles on my body.
I still run. But now I do it barefoot. I do anywhere from 2 to 6 miles at a time. I also do other stuff for fitness. Being 260+ lbs. means I have to make concessions on what I do fitness-wise. (even when I was 17% body fat, I weighed 255… but I was also younger then)
I think what you are doing is great. Keep it up. I see your mileage on twitter. Too many ministers are slobs. Not a great image as some student’s only vision of adult Christianity.
Run On!
Jeff i dont have Nike shoes. I wear Asics and have a little pouch on the front my sensor drops into.
Lars Rood \\ Working to figure it all out
web: My Blog \\ Stream Youth \\ twitter \\ facebook \\
Aaron- I came to the realization too that I had no excuse. I have one of the most flexible schedules ever. I think youth pastors have no reason to not be fit. Im a big guy but the running hasnt hurt me too bad. I may be a genetic abnormality though. Ive never been hurt before. 18 miles is a ton. You were charging it. Im thinking about trying running without shoes. Ill want to talk to you about that.
Lars Rood \\ Working to figure it all out
web: My Blog \\ Stream Youth \\ twitter \\ facebook \\