Getting Started...

Hi Fellow PRCers,

What a great night for a run. I was a little late starting, but got caught up for a good run.

Here goes my first post. Hoping I can provide some amusement or insight, I definitely don’t have hardcore training advice (just walk… but faster) or nutritional advice (liquor before beer you’re in the clear…). I also apologize if these aren’t really short, anyone who knows me when I’m not struggling to breathe on a run, knows I’m long winded.

I figured I’d start off with my own personal intro to running, seems relevant to the LTR group. I’m new to Paradise Running Club myself. I only started with the group in early January, and I have to say, so far it’s been fantastic. Prior to that I ran with New World Running Club (Keith and Janet are amazing), the Running Room (occasionally), and with my initial work group of runners at the Department of Natural Resources.

I always enjoyed being active. However, I would describe my capability level as full of heart not talent (like my writing, I’m an accountant not a teacher). When I started running in April 2011, I was a little over a year post-op from ACL (knee ligament) reconstruction. I had ballooned in weight since the initial injury, finding myself at around 280 lbs and wanted to drop it.

I had tried going to the gym, found I was kind of wandering around from machine to machine aimlessly. I tried the classes there, which I found good, liked the group environment, but struggled to settle into a routine.

In January, I started work with Natural Resources. As spring came along, it was clear that the place had pro running atmosphere. My manager was an avid runner and was after me to try it. I started on my own, heading down to Quidi Vidi Lake (~3.8 KMs). It probably took me near 40 minutes to complete, I ran in little bursts and mostly walked. The second time, co-workers came with me, the heart over talent part of me kicked in (AKA spite/stubbornness) and if they were going to run the whole thing then I had to. So I completed it, it wasn’t pretty, but I huffed and puffed my way around. It felt great (Once I could breath and didn’t feel like I was about to feed the ducks my breakfast).

I was hooked. Instantly. I enjoyed the sense of accomplishment that came with completing a run (can’t say I enjoyed the running part of it). I liked having a group to encourage me when it felt like I couldn’t keep going. Someone to push you out the door into wind and rain. People that you strive you catch up to, but won’t leave you alone on the road.

I just wish I’d known of programs like the LTR when I started. It’s a fantastic way to get into running and an intro to the great community of runners. I wish I’d known to start doing 2 and 1s, escalating slowly, might have been more helpful in my early days then just my mentality of slug my way through it.

I hope you all reach your short term goals then just keep going, become regular member of the group. PRC is such a big group that you can always find a running buddy to fit your pace and your goals. You have already completed the hardest step, getting out the door the first time is much harder than hill repeats on Joshua Street (remind me of that when I’m cursing the hill).

Mark