The Unexpected Metamorphosis Of A Runner
The Running Metamorphosis
An Unexpected Change
When I first committed to running, I had my two basic goals in mind: finish a 5K event and lose some weight. What also helped motivate me on the decision was that I had some friends and family members that were “real” runners, so I figured it would also at the very least give us something additional to discuss, and possibly even an opportunity to share some new, otherwise nonexistent “life events”. Probably similar to many others, I bought my running shoes with a vision of shedding pounds and fitting comfortably again into my clothes (especially my tuxedo, which was going to be required for a function later in the year). What I didn’t expect was that some of the most profound transformations wouldn’t be physical.
A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Begins With A Single Step
I still clearly remember my first runs. They weren’t impressive. A mix of jogging and walking, mostly gasping for air, wondering how people could possibly enjoy this. I was out of shape, unsure of what I was doing, and only managing a mile- barely. If someone had told me then that in only a few months I would be running over two miles practically every day, I would’ve laughed out loud and offered to make a very large wager to the contrary. But that’s the thing (at least it definitely was/is for me) about running: it changes you, slowly and profoundly, one step at a time, physically and mentally, even though you may not realize it until you look back and make comparisons to who/what you used to be.. to what you’ve become. It almost seems like you’ve stepped through a time machine (lol although during some runs along the way when you’re clock watching it certainly feels like you’re stuck in one).
The Highest Point Of The Uphill Road Gives You The Best View
Every runner has to start somewhere, and probably for anyone in a situation similar to mine (i.e. growing older, wider, sorer, lazier, etc.) the beginning will probably be filled with considerable discomfort. Sore muscles, joints, feet, almost guaranteed sciatica, doubts, etc. I wrote about it in a previous article, but the biggest hurdle wasn’t even physical- it was mental. I had to convince myself practically every day to keep going when progress felt nonexistent. I had to fight the urge to compare myself to seasoned runners breezing past me (like they had harps on their feet). I had to force myself outside into the dreary cold, knowing I might get rained on (when I’m as far from home as possible, of course) because even that’s better than another day in the basement on the treadmill. But something kept pulling me back down to the treadmill or out the door: the prospect of growth and of becoming someone stronger than I was yesterday, if for no other reason than for doing something today. As I got “better” (basing that terminology on my stats and definitely not how I was still feeling every day), there was a shift from where it was initially my pride that wouldn’t let me stop (you can’t fail), to where it now pushed me further to do better (let them try to beat this). Whether it was my psyche just playing mind games on me or not, it worked, because eventually, practically every day I competed against a plethora of imaginary mental challengers who, with every step I took, I distanced myself from.
The Forging of a Runner
With time and consistency, I stopped dreading the run and started looking forward to it. After my early breakthrough with taking smaller steps, I welcomed additional accumulated running insights (as I literally or figuratively stumbled across them).. things like pacing myself and counting away time, about better ways to run uphill and also downhill, how to cross traffic without getting run over or making cars stop, and how to share the towpath with a family of geese (VERY important BTW). I realized there was so much to learn about running, and that if I just continued to do it, things would come to me simply over time and with repetition. Like a blacksmith forging a sword, every stride, every breath, every drop of sweat was like a hammer blow, molding me, moving me closer in both body and mind, to becoming a real runner. All I had to do was to keep going.. to keep the fire burning.
An Awareness Of Transformation
As much as I might have started this undertaking expecting it to be a long term endeavor (my honest actual target for goal accomplishments was early September) I’m considerably more than little surprised that after only a few (albeit very committed) months into the effort, I’ve already accomplished one of the two primary goals I set for myself, and have made substantial progress towards the second (although who knows what’ll be considered the definitive/ultimate success with that one). As a result, the physical transformation was becoming noticeable (lol my wife actually told me I had to stop losing weight). My clothes started fitting better (I was back to less than the very last buckle hole in my belt), and I could feel (and see in the mirror) that I was gradually changing. I also had more energy, and I no longer hesitated when running outdoors to try new run routes, curious to see if I could gauge my distances as I established my own series of run courses. The “wear and tear” of a daily running routine had hardened my body such that the little aches and pains (although still there), were now overlooked and/or ignored, I just couldn’t be bothered with them anymore. Even little things like evening walks were more enjoyable knowing that my feet wouldn’t be hurting me afterwards. Running had certainly changed me, both physically and mentally, and while I was pleased with what I had accomplished so far, I was still very anxious to see how much farther I could go.
The Month By The Numbers
In an effort to avoid boredom (disinterest, stagnation, etc.), I continue to add variations (Cardinal Rule #7) to my run outings (or innings?) so I was again forced to expand my spreadsheet to properly (attempt to anyway) track the data from the fruits of my labor, and I have to say- looking at the simple black and white (with a little blue/gray) numbers/letters, it really doesn’t seem to do justice to the amount of exertion and effort that went into it on a “stride by stride, moment to moment” basis. But FWIW these are my numbers (if anybody is reading this, you should have your own!), and I know as I sit here writing this what it all has done to transform my body and my mind to what it is today- compared to what it was only a few weeks ago. I honestly did not expect the results that I achieved, and while it might not have been easy, it definitely was not impossible, and best of all, it certainly is real.
Month 4 – (The Running Metamorphosis) Training is in the Books.
Quick recap- Month 4 (April) completed- along with a successful “First Official 5K Run”, I also continued the streak of consecutive days running (adding to those of April’s “30 Day Running Experiment”) for a total of 60 days without missing/skipping a single day (and I actually had a few “multi-outing” days). So with 33 outings (vs 30 last month/58 total on the year), and a total runtime of just under 18 hours (17:56), I covered 84.29 miles (vs. 18:54 hours & 87.72 miles last month/29¼ hours & 135.70 miles on the year).
One Goal Achieved, Closing In On The Second
In addition to one of my initial/primary goals being accomplished with the successful completion of a 5K run, I also continued a very positive trend of losing weight over the course of the month. Following up on March’s drop of roughly 10 pounds, I was close to consistent with a loss of 8.2 pounds over the month’s 30 day timeframe (210.6 on 03/31 to 202.4 on 04/30). Although not quite as large of a loss overall, I actually consider it to be substantially more significant for several reasons- with the fact that I haven’t been that light since high school (we’re talking 40+ years ago) probably the biggest.
Definitely Didn’t Happen Overnight
Going back to my “initial” weigh-in on 02/04 of 225.8 lbs, I was down 23.4 lbs overall at the end of April, which equates to a percentage loss of over 10% (10.363% to be exact) of my total body weight at the start- not too shabby (and definitely less flabby). And while during the month (actually over the course of the several months) my weight did fluctuate with some sizeable swings back up (demoralizingly sizeable at the time), it quickly went back down, and was even lower within only a few days. Similar to the grueling nature of increasing my run distances, I had to continually remind myself that just like preparing for the full 5K, the weight loss goal would come with time, provided I continued to put forth the effort and stick to the plan. And FWIW, here I was only heading into May.. I still had over two full months to get into “what happened to you” shape for a July 4th beach BBQ.
