This doesn't mean that my face wasn't soaked through the run, but dry hair. Weird.
Anyway, I did Week 5, Day 2 of Couch to 5K again this evening. Yaaaay! Well, I guess the second time around warrants less celebration, but I'm still really happy about it. I'm also slightly discontent because I'm itching to move up now. I was so, SO close to trying Week 5, Day 3 tonight (5-minute warm up then jog for 20 minutes with no walking). I talked myself down from that though. I'd like to try it on a second or third day in a row of running, like maybe on Sunday.
Holy cow. I may run for 20 minutes in a row on Sunday. Is anyone else baffled by this? Do you experience similar disbelief with your exercise-related successes?
Moving on ...
I've been talking to my fellow beginner runners lately about "getting the bug." My theory is that "the bug" is what makes you keep going. You may or may not have tried running or another physical activity before and didn't follow through. I know I have. I even tried C25K once before and promptly quit.
But in my own experience, and in observing others' experiences, I'm seeing this itch ... like running finally found a way to bite and leave a mark. A mark that makes you WANT to run, that causes you to actually look forward to your next run, and that makes you a little upset when you unexpectedly have to miss a run or can't get around to running for a long time.
I've also mentioned on here how I think writing about running and talking about running with friends is a huge contributor to my success. Well, my theories were just confirmed by Women's Health magazine. Check out this blurb out from page 29 of the October 2010 edition:
"You'll be more motivated to move if working out is part of your self-image, says a study in The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. So, if you identify yourself as a runner, you'll be more inclined to lace up your sneakers than someone who sees herself as a couch potato. 'In fact, we found that people were more likely to engage in longer bouts of exercise if they saw physical activity as a core part of their identity,' says lead author Lindsay Duncan, Ph.D. Don't consider yourself athletic? To get into a fitness frame of mind, buy workout-specific clothes or post Facebook status updates that reflect your latest physical feats."
So, what does this have to do with my theories? Well, when I started C25K this time back in late February/early March of this year, I remember thinking to myself, "Oh my gosh, I'm running. I'm a runner!" I knew I could keep it up and I wanted to. I was bitten. Bitten by the running bug the instant I gave myself that label. Then the itch got even worse when I started talking to other people about my running.
"What have you been up to?" my friends might ask.
"Actually, I'm running!"
[shocked faces from both of us]
I think it's important to have your own definition of being a runner, too. Certainly you're not going get off the couch and step out the door into marathon training. (I mean, I personally skipped right over marathon training and stepped into awesomeness. But whatever.)
What does being a runner mean to me? Why do I get to give myself that title?
To me it means that running is hard. I'd rather walk, yes. Actually, I'd rather sit on the couch. But after I run, I feel good and I know that when I run again, I'm going to feel good again. Having that insight that running = good is being a runner. Being a runner means really wanting to make it to that next tree, even though Mr. C25K says you can stop now. Being a runner, to me, is saying, "Yes, your legs hurt, but you're not going to die. Suck it up and keep going because your body is stronger than your mind." Looking forward to getting better is being a runner.
Are you a runner? What does being a runner mean to you? Is my description of "the bug" the same for you? Why do you keep going? Share the love with those who read this and may be looking to get started themselves.
Thanks! And pass the itch cream, please.
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