So this morning, I went for a jog around the block. Twice. It's part of the self training program I'm starting, to teach myself how to run. I think I mentioned it in a back post.
Anyway, it went better than I thought. I live on a long block, and I set my pace pretty slow; I wasn't trying for speed, just a constant, steady pace, without getting a stitch in my side. Actually, I've trying this for the last 4 days, going out in the mornings and running. Each day, I've tried a different pace, and a slightly different route through the neighborhood, and today I think I found the way to go. And with that in mind, off I ran.
Well, 'run' may be the wrong word, because my pace wasn't much faster than really brisk walk. I was moving in a running rhythm, though, and not a walking rhythm, and there is a difference. Even at slow speeds, a running rhythm will feel faster. Just try not to think about how you look; with quick, short steps, you'll probably look as silly as a power walker. See, I said that in the second person, so I wouldn't feel so dorky.
But I digress. Back to the run. It was a good one. Not too fast, or too far, to strain my legs, and I kept my pace the whole way. That last is important: keeping a constant speed, and slowly increasing it over time, will gradually train your body to get used to running. People aren't machines, and can't be switched to full power right away. So I'll just make the same run every other day through the winter, and start building up speed and distance come spring. My goal is to go jogging with my wife in the summer, and not collapse because I can't keep her pace.
But she's been jogging regularly, for years. I'd like to see her on a bicycle. Fat chance, at that, though.
