The Journey - Part I: Jogging

A Chinese proverb says "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." The point being that small, simple steps are needed if your going to get started with a fitness routine. This is the story of the first step in my journey.

I decided to begin my fitness routine again in July 2009. I made my resolution to start after getting back from vacation, reasoning that I would enjoy my vacation before really worrying about diet and exercise. I thought about everything over vacation and decided to try and take up jogging again.

As I mentioned yesterday, I had tried jogging before, but hurt my knee. Basically, I hurt myself by not really knowing what I was doing. I thought, "all I have to do is run." So I went outside and started running around the neighborhood. I would run until I couldn't run any more. Then I'd catch my breath. Then start running again. Repeat. I just used whatever old sneakers I had. I was running on concrete. In the process, I got some inflammation in my knee, though I would have sworn I tore an ACL or something.

But I chose to try jogging again for a couple of reasons. First, I reasoned that it was the exercise program that requires the least financial investment. You can go and run around the neighborhood for free. Second, I knew that it would be easy and convenient to walk out the door and go rather than drive to a gym, find parking, change clothes, work out, then drive home. Third, I have a little inspiration in my co-worker Rick. This guy has been running for many years, and now competes in ultra-marathons of the 100 mile variety. His stories of running had me convinced that I could do it again.

This time I was determined to be a bit smarter about things. I had gotten some better shoes made for running, a pair Pearl iZUMi I found on eBay. This would give me better support. I also had a knee sleeve I got from the doctor when I hurt my knee the first time. I went ahead and invested a few dollars into a second knee brace for my "bad" knee, wearing the sleeve on the other good knee. I figured this would give me more support on my joints than before.

Next, I looked for a better running plan than what I had before of "run until you get tired." I had read a lot of stories about couch to 5k programs, and found one that I liked. This is what made the difference in my program for me. I was able to set small attainable goals for myself based on the program. First week, run for 1 minute than walk for 2? No problem! It was easy to measure and track my goal, and to just do it 3 times a week. The best part was I was able to see results. I was building endurance, and more importantly losing a couple of pounds a week.

I started the first 4 or 5 weeks running in the neighborhood. This got me out and around and was a nice change of pace compared to just being in a gym and seeing the same thing over and over again. But my knees and legs were really sore. My bones were aching. The pain wasn't to the same degree as before, but and it didn't feel good, and I was worried about injury setting me back again.

I spoke to Rick to ask if he knew of what might be able to help me recover quicker from this pain. He hipped me to something that most experienced runners know - concrete sidewalks are the worst thing to run on. There is not give in concrete so your joints absorb all the shock. All I had been running on was the concrete sidewalks in my neighborhood.

He suggested I try running at our local riverfront park which had an asphalt path, as well as a sand/gravel trail; both of which were better than running on concrete. The park was close to my house, and at this point I was determined to keep up running, so the extra inconvenience of changing clothes and driving somewhere wasn't a big deal; especially with the park only 5 minutes away.

This change really did the trick for me. First, the pain in my joints and bones subsided since I was running on a softer, more forgiving surface. Second, it was a nice change of scenery from the neighborhood. The park is really beautiful. Third, and this was the cool part to me, the mile markers on the trail helped me see my progress in running not just based on time, but distance as well. By week 8, I was able to run a mile flat out, which was a big accomplishment for me.

Now, my goal was never really to run a 5k or 10k. A lot of folks set this as a goal for themselves, and it certainly might work for you. But for me, all I wanted out of jogging was to lose weight, and be able to have a 20 minute or so cardio program I could follow. And I got to that point within the first 8 weeks of the program. I was eventually running 2 miles in the park 3 times a week.

I continued running on this pace into late October. I dropped down to 220 pounds from the 240 pounds I weighed in July. I was feeling great.

Then I hit my first bump in the road.