Goals

[ladysprite]

I hate running. I always have. I think it's a throwback to my former life as a fat kid with asthma. (No, not a past life, I just mean, like, 1984-1998, give or take.) Even now that I'm in decent shape and have somehow become a workout junkie, I generally want nothing to do with running, and don't tolerate it well. I can do jumping jacks and kickboxing and cardio until I sweat blood, but running more than a block or so leaves me miserable, wheezing, and feeling once again like the kid in gym class that everyone laughed at and called Beached Whale.

No problem, right? Just don't run. There's plenty of other workout options. Right?

The problem is this - the Boston Run For Your Life 5K Zombie Race.

Zombies. Obstacle course. Here in Massachusetts.

I must do this.

Except I can't run to save my life. Possibly literally. But I have an idea that I'm going to find out.

It looks like I'm going to need to start training, as soon as I get past my current round of bronchitis. Admittedly, fall-into-winter may not be the best time for this, since I am reluctant as hell to spring for a gym membership, but I'll figure something out.

Who's with me?

Comments

[aries-walker.livejournal.com]

Ooo! I am, long-distance. I'm at work, but I'll check back in later.

[irseri.livejournal.com]

I'm in...

[ricevermicelli.livejournal.com]

Too expensive/too far away for me.

But I want to be really encouraging about the training. I think that gym class gives a lot of us some crazy notions about running. It took me twenty years to work up to a mile fast enough to pass my ninth grade gym class. I think a lot of us have this "faster! faster!" thing in our heads when we run, which ultimately screws us. When I started going slower, I suddenly found that I was able to make surprising amounts of progress.

Even in winter, I think you're better off running outdoors than you are joining a gym. Treadmills and elliptical trainers will not prepare you all that well for running on roads or trails. Also, it's hella boring when the scenery never changes.

[alexx-kay.livejournal.com]

"...fat kid with asthma. (No, not a past life, I just mean, like, 1984-1998, give or take.)"

I knew you at least as early as 1993 (rehearsals for Pestle). I might possibly accept your self-designation of 'kid' at that point, but you were not remotely 'fat'.

Good luck with the zombies!

[dreda.livejournal.com]

Treadmills and elliptical trainers will not prepare you all that well for running on roads or trails.

This thing that she says is 100% true. I was shocked the first time I went for an actual outdoor run after quite a while of feeling like I was getting a good workout on the machines. I had to do some pretty fast recalibrating to believe that I hadn't just been goofing around at the gym all that time...

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

I'm not much for running, myself. I haven't tried running more than a block, lately, though. I'll dance, I'll rock climb, I'll even hike up trails with a pack on my back. But running... ick.

Good luck!

[redfishie.livejournal.com]

I've heard that the Warrior Dash is also phenomenal for similar reasons....

In theory I'm interested, but I too hate running.

[rickvs.livejournal.com]

Looks like you might be able to register as a zombie. They also serve who only shamble and wait.

I agree and not.

[robertbollerman.livejournal.com]

Yes, I agree with you, running sucks. But, I also disagree with the self assessment like Alexx, and I knew you even before that. Whoever called you a beached whale, got it all wrong. Maybe bleached dolphin. ;-)

I'm also going to side with Ricey about starting slow. I'm still at a brisk walk for most of my morning constitutional, but the short bursts of jogging are getting a little longer. Most importantly, the more you hate it, the harder it will be.

Good luck. If you decide to come out for the one in Indy, let me know, we can put you guys up here.