19 On the run

First week away from Pioneer, done and dusted.

Yip, it was hard to fit gym sessions into my week. I managed the three eventually, but it went down to the wire. I'm back to the walk to work, which I love. Now the days are lighter earlier and later, I'll probably walk both ways, a 10k round trip, when I can. I just have to fit in morning visits to Centennial on my way.

I went for my first 'decent' run today in about six months. I started jogging, as that's really what it is, about 2 years ago. Mostly so I could say that I could run around Hagley park. I lived really close to it at the time, so it seemed wrong to not at least give it a go. I wasn't sure how long it would take me to work up to it, but I got all the way around the outside on my second attempt, which I felt pretty happy about. I'd never known before that the start was the hardest. Once you get into a rhythm, it becomes easier. I'd previously gone out hard and then found it too much for me withing the first kilometer and promptly given up. To say I started jogging probably suggests I do it regularly, but I don't. When I lived in town the round the park circuit was a once a week thing. It was hard, and still is hard work. When I'm out there I wonder how the hell people could want to train to run a half or full marathon. And when I stop, it takes me a good half hour before my legs work properly again. An hour later, and I feel great. So it's the health benefit, the emotional benefit and the energy benefit I get from it.

On a related note, I bought some new running shoes. On Ron's advice, they were not too expensive, $50, and nice and lightweight, and possibly alarmingly, they came from Number 1 shoes. They're good so far, but I'll let you know after a few weeks :)