Thursday, November 6, 2008

Physical Education Flunkee

This past week I got out on three 2 mi runs. This was the first time I've run on two consecutive days for over three months. All of them were really hard. Some of them I had to walk. I can't believe how I'm going so slowly for such a short distance and my heart and lungs feel like I'm back doing interval training again. Not that I was ever delusional about this, but I am obviously not naturally athletic.

When I was a kid I was the one who could never run the full prescribed distance in PE without walking.

I remember once we were getting tested at the standing long jump in the 5th grade. My teacher said I had one practice jump and then one that counted. I did my first jump. I'm sure it was pathetic. I did my second one. My teacher looked at me, lowered her voice to a whisper and said, "I'll give you one more chance." I'm sure that third one was no better.

In the third grade we had to do as many sit-ups as we could in a minute. My friend was the naturally athletic one who always represented our school at track meets. She did forty-something in one minute. I could barely keep her feet held down she was pumping so fast. When it was my turn, I did four. F-O-U-R. Looking back now I cannot even imagine how pathetic this was. She was really nice. She told the teacher I did four but all the other kids who thought they heard her say "four" that I had done "twenty-four."

So it should come as no surprise to anyone that when I lose fitness I start way back at zero. And my zero is way, way down there. I was telling Boyfriend what a hard time I was having on my little two mile runs lately and he said, "Wow. I never realized. But you work really, really hard when you're training for a marathon." I never really thought of it, but I guess I do.

I know consistency is the key to getting my endurance back but so far it hasn't gotten any easier. I'm planning to do maybe a 2.5 mi "long run" tomorrow.

10 comments:

audgepodge said...

I can totally relate to this! I lose my fitness level so quickly. People think I'm fast because I've run marathons... please! I'm not that fast when I do train, but when I'm in couch potato mode (like I am now) - I easily lose 1:00/mile pace at least.

Good job keeping up with your running, though!

Aron said...

you will get back!! just keep up with the short runs and it will build!

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

It doesn't matter where you start from, only that you work a consistent and intelligent program to get where you want to go. With so many quitters and never-doers out there, you're still in the winners category, and don't forget it!

ShirleyPerly said...

OMG, you brought back some memories of my old PE days and physical fitness tests. I too was just awful at that stuff.

But, you are right about consistency. And having been very fit before, you know it's possible. Be patient with yourself and you'll be back there again.

d. moll, l.ac. said...

LOL in 7th grade I wanted one of the President's fitness patches you get for doing really good, but didn't manage to make the time on the run because I seemed to have to walk and jumped like a lead filled frog on the long jump. I think the metabolism just goes into rest mode when we don't push it, and that good, that's when repairs take place. Going into winter is a hard time to ramp up, it is more natural to hibernate !!!!

Mica said...

I think we might have been the same kid in PE. In fourth grade, I completed the mile test in 14:30. I think I walked most of it.

Marci said...

I know what you mean, I had my first run since Sunday's marathon and I swear I've lost fitness. Its just not fair!

Julianne said...

It's a great start! You'll be back up to high digits in no time. It just takes a little transition period... (I'm the same way, though. I don't run for a week and I feel like I haven't worked out in months. Why doesn't the body remember better??)

Anonymous said...

You have great spirit and determination! A lot of people would have used it as an excuse to stop running, but you're still going strong :) Too bad we're not living in the same place, otherwise I'd bring all the buns and we'll cheer you on with pom poms hee hee

Deb Cushman said...

You have such strong spirit to stick to it the way you have. Most of us would (and have) given up long ago! We admire the fact that you keep going. What's that old saying, "Slow and steady wins the race."