I hesitate to write this because every time I get excited about something or brag about it, I get kicked in the teeth. But, I think I've found the key to being able to run consistently: Run only twice a week.
At the beginning of September, I started running like I have every fall for the last five years. And, like every other year, I got injured. I was only running four days a week and following a very conservative run/walk program, but still my knees got pissed and swelled up, making even walking painful. This year, although I was lighter than I had been any previous year, it took me all of two weeks to get there.
So, I laid off completely until the beginning of October. Then I began running again, but only twice a week. It's been eight weeks now and I'm suffering no extended adverse effects.
I walk a half mile or so to warm up. Currently, I'm running 15 seconds and walking 45 but tomorrow I up it to 20/40. The first week of the month, I do it 9 times, increasing it by 3 times each run until I'm doing the run/walk combo 30 times. My total mileage for each run ranges from 2 - 3.5 miles depending on how many times I'm running and where I'm running (meaning the track v/s the neighborhood). If the gods are willing and the creek doesn't rise, in January I'll be running 30 seconds and walking 2 minutes until I've done that combo for a total of thirty minutes.
I would very much like to be running a full 30-45 minutes straight by the end of 2013. I know that's a long time off, but I'm tired of learning my limits the hard way. If I push too hard, my body lets me know and it's not kind about it. The old girl can be a bitch and I'd rather fool her into being strong by easing her along than push her until she pushes back and knocks me on my ass.
Here's to a month of twice a week runs and no setbacks. Wish me luck.
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