I realized a long time ago that I will never be a great runner, probably not even a good runner but I still wanted to be one. “Runners look cool” as someone in my new class just said! The main reason for me wanting to run is more one of vanity than fitness. Of course, I would like to be fit and healthy, but ultimately running is the only thing that truly helps me lose weight. Instead of getting better at running over the years, I have gotten worse. It is partly due to work and just being exhausted from it, wanting my sleep time and wanting my social life. This has left very little room for running or even fitness. It seems that trying to fit in exercise stopped being my priority, or even one of my priorities.
Well, I decided that one of the reasons I don’t enjoy my running anymore is because I am not very good at it. I am not an efficient runner and I lack the form of a runner… and I don’t look cool when I run! With this in mind, I decided to sign up for a “Running for Beginners” class with the BCAE (Boston College of Adult Education). A five week program, to help absolute beginners, people who have just stopped exercising and those of us like me, who have completely lost the will to even do it anymore.
Last night I had my first class. The class size was about 15 people of all levels. There were those who have never run in their life, those who wanted to train for their first 5K, two men who were obviously made to go by their significant others and then me and my friend Stacey who are runners but not the best ones. We have at least a few races between us!
The class was led by a very young woman who has a passion for running. She is lovely and very sweet but not an expert and did seem a little nervous. However, I decided to take a step back and hear what she had to say. At the end of the day, she is a much better runner than me, so I am sure she can teach me many things I do not know on this subject. I did pick up on one thing last night and that is that I probably start off running too fast. We ran ridiculously, and I mean unbelievably slow around the Boston Gardens last night. I was seriously struggling to run that slow, however, by the end of our teeny tiny half mile run, I realized I could have kept going like an Energizer Bunny. It may take me an hour to run three miles, but I could probably run 10 at that pace. Not really what I want but a good start.
Here is a funny thing, which I should not gloat about, but I cannot help it. Both Stacey and I were way ahead of everyone else throughout the whole run. I am sorry but it makes me feel really childishly good that I was ahead of the group. It might be interesting to see if I still am the fastest five weeks from now?
Sorry, I might I have say it again… I was the fastest of the slow class J
