Tuesday, August 16, 2016
To Wog, or not to Wog, that is the question: A Newb’s
Journey
into the World of Running
I have been running for a few months now, and I
use the term “running” lightly. I always
heard the word “running” and pictured a sleek, fit, well-trained and toned
person swiftly moving around a track or a jogging path in some park somewhere. That. Is. Not. Me. Every time I tried to replicate that image in
my head, as I headed out for a “run,” I always burnt out, returning home much
sooner than planned, which left me feeling defeated. Instead, I began walking with intermittent
light jogs of a few seconds, then walking again. Back and forth I would go between the two,
and soon the term “Wog,” was being used instead of “running,” as in “Mommy’s
going wogging for a bit…I’ll be right back!”
Fast forward a few months, and I am now able to
continue my jogging for longer periods of time with shorter walks in-between
AND a few sprints here and there. And
with the combination of those three things happening together, I finally feel
comfortable calling it “running.” WINNING!
Each day I run I am building more strength and endurance, which only
helps my exercise goals of becoming a healthier version of me.
Here are a few things I learned and recommend
if you want to start running, or are running but feeling defeated. Keep in mind, I still consider myself a
novice and a beginner, and I still have a lot to learn myself.
·
Get. Good. Running. Shoes.
This will really help with the eventual aches
and pains that are associated with the impact of any type of walking, jogging,
sprinting or running.
·
Find an accountability buddy.
I found success with posting updates on FB or
in FB groups. I also enjoy running with
a partner – it helps to have somebody there to push your limits a little bit.
·
Set out your clothes the night
before.
I tend to NOT want to get up in the morning,
due to lack of sleep. But if my clothes
are ready for me, it is easier for me to force myself out of bed, get dressed and
walk out the door.
·
Don’t be hard on yourself.
Notice I didn’t say “too” hard on
yourself. There is way too much going on
in our individual lives to add anything more to our list of failures or expectations
that we are not quite matching up to.
Life is hard, running should not be.
Enjoy it.
·
Don’t you DARE listen to that scale.
In fact, put it in your closet and forget about
it. Your body is going to change at its
own pace. I am a sugar addict. I have not lost any weight since I started
running. But I feel GREAT! So save those weigh-ins for your dieting
progress. I am not discussing diet
here…just running lol.
·
Find some good music.
Music has a way of moving our body whether we
want to or not. Every little bit helps,
especially on the home stretch.
Personally, I like a nice 80’s pop selection or 90’s R&B. Justin Timberlake is a pretty good go-to jam
any time as well.
·
Don’t drink too much water before or
during.
Now, I don’t know what others say about this,
but for me it hurts my belly. I chew gum
on my run instead so my mouth doesn’t dry out, and I guzzle water when I get
home.
·
Stretch.
I stretch after I run, not because I like doing
it but because I have to do it. I tend
to get something called “runners knee” as well as joint pain in my hips if I do
not stretch afterwards. It is painful,
and it hurts the rest of my running plans for the week. Running on dirt also helps reduce the joint
pain I get from running, just a suggestion.
·
Change up your routes occasionally.
I do have a few routes that I will stick to
throughout the week. I like those for
the days I do not have as much time or the days I want to work on my pace. But they can get boring. I like days when I change up the scenery and
have new things to look at or explore. I’ve
found I stay out longer and go further on those days.
These are just a few of the things I thought
important to share, that help me in my journey into running. So, to answer that question of: to Wog, or
not to Wog…YES I highly recommend wogging. You have to start somewhere, just be patient
with yourself and embrace the journey.
Guest Blogger: Ranee Schmuker
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