3 Month Update
Even though I only started to document my journey last week, I have been officially back running for three months, and I thought it would be a good idea to fill y'all in on my progress. Like many people, in January I made a resolution to put on the running shoes again and to lose some weight. At the time I was up to 195lbs, which is very heavy for me, and I could run for 30 minutes before I felt like I was going to die. I have never been a fast runner, I used to average 9 or 10 minute miles back in the day, but now I was slugging along at 12+.
Despite the grueling torture with my legs feeling like they were cement blocks, it felt nice to get back out onto the road. I only ran 3 times per week to try and avoid any injuries that normally plague me when I return to the sport; shin splints are my most common, as well as some stressed tendons in my ankles. I am fortunate enough to live on 20 acres of land in East Texas, and have a private road that is 7/10 of a mile up to the county road and back with a decent hill right in the middle. It might sound boring to most, but my three dogs love to run and explore in the woods while I huff away. In fact, as soon as I get home from work, they expect a run everyday, and can barely contain themselves.
I kept at it for the first month or so, only running about 2.5 miles each time until I started to add another lap in every few weeks. My ankles and lower leg muscles took longer than normal to adapt to the gravel road with more than its share of undulation. I keep telling myself I should hit the county roads for some different scenery, but my border collie Tuna always talked me out of it.
Eventually I got my legs up to running a little over 5 miles by the beginning of March, but I was still limited to only three days a week. I was doing some strength training two other days and walking with my wife as well, but I knew I had to hold myself back or else the dreaded sore shins would pop their ugly head up again. My plan to not go full retard finally paid off a few weeks ago and I was able to add a fourth running day.
This past Saturday, I went out on a cloudy, 70 degree morning and did 7 miles. That's nine laps on our private road, but the dogs loved it. It even started raining half way through, and I absolutely love running in the rain. To date, I have lost 26lbs in three months, and it is noticeable trotting along. This week I put in 21 miles and two strength days and my legs feel great. Today's run was just under 12 minutes per mile and my heart rate never got above 130.
I am going to continue to baby my legs for the next few months and ease my way to the 10 mile mark. I would like to get a little faster, but I know that will come with time, and right now I am in no rush. The Paris Pair 1/2 marathon is the weekend of September 12th, so I have over 5 months to get there.
P.S. I know the coronavirus has impacted us all, hopefully everyone is staying safe and getting out running if allowed.
You can follow my workouts on Strava @ Jonathan Cummins
Also, I have published two fiction novels available on Amazon. The main character is an ultra runner!
Killer is Me
River of Deceit
Despite the grueling torture with my legs feeling like they were cement blocks, it felt nice to get back out onto the road. I only ran 3 times per week to try and avoid any injuries that normally plague me when I return to the sport; shin splints are my most common, as well as some stressed tendons in my ankles. I am fortunate enough to live on 20 acres of land in East Texas, and have a private road that is 7/10 of a mile up to the county road and back with a decent hill right in the middle. It might sound boring to most, but my three dogs love to run and explore in the woods while I huff away. In fact, as soon as I get home from work, they expect a run everyday, and can barely contain themselves.
I kept at it for the first month or so, only running about 2.5 miles each time until I started to add another lap in every few weeks. My ankles and lower leg muscles took longer than normal to adapt to the gravel road with more than its share of undulation. I keep telling myself I should hit the county roads for some different scenery, but my border collie Tuna always talked me out of it.Eventually I got my legs up to running a little over 5 miles by the beginning of March, but I was still limited to only three days a week. I was doing some strength training two other days and walking with my wife as well, but I knew I had to hold myself back or else the dreaded sore shins would pop their ugly head up again. My plan to not go full retard finally paid off a few weeks ago and I was able to add a fourth running day.
This past Saturday, I went out on a cloudy, 70 degree morning and did 7 miles. That's nine laps on our private road, but the dogs loved it. It even started raining half way through, and I absolutely love running in the rain. To date, I have lost 26lbs in three months, and it is noticeable trotting along. This week I put in 21 miles and two strength days and my legs feel great. Today's run was just under 12 minutes per mile and my heart rate never got above 130.
I am going to continue to baby my legs for the next few months and ease my way to the 10 mile mark. I would like to get a little faster, but I know that will come with time, and right now I am in no rush. The Paris Pair 1/2 marathon is the weekend of September 12th, so I have over 5 months to get there.
P.S. I know the coronavirus has impacted us all, hopefully everyone is staying safe and getting out running if allowed.
You can follow my workouts on Strava @ Jonathan Cummins
Also, I have published two fiction novels available on Amazon. The main character is an ultra runner!
Killer is Me
River of Deceit
Comments
Post a Comment