On The Benefits of Following Directions

So it's been almost four weeks since I started training with the PortlandFit running club. This past Saturday, I ran five miles for the first time in many, many years. Like, decades. Parts of it were slow and ugly, but I didn't do the things I most feared: stop and walk; vomit; cry. I had kick left at the end and a smile on my face.

I've re-learned a few things about myself in this short time. In no particular order:

1. I like someone else telling me what to do, if they know more than I do. And the coaches at PortlandFit definitely know more than I do about running. The online training schedule orders me around during the week; there's no thinking involved on my part (although there is occasionally procrastination...).

2. I like the sense of accomplishment that comes from follow-through. This, more than anything else, has kept me on track with the three solo runs during the week. My daily life is so scattered and unpredictable. Every day's schedule, no matter how nicely worked out on paper the night before, is one second away from being demolished by kids, elderly animals, laundry, carpool emergencies, client deadlines, and writer's block. If I knock out the run early in the day, everything else is easier to deal with.

3. I like running in a group, even though I consider myself an introvert, a loner, and an anti-social menopausal broad. The energy of everyone else keeps me going.

4. Finally, I like how running makes me feel: happy. And that alone is enough to keep me going for five miles.

Portland Fit to the Rescue!

Wow. Bronchitis, more bronchitis, several disgusting viruses, another bout of bronchial grossness, and before you know it, months have passed and you're staring at your thighs thinking WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOU GUYS?

Well, things are about to return to normal. I'm finally back in my running shoes, thanks mostly to the wonderful people at Portland Fit, motto: "No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everyone on the couch." Given how many days I've spent on the couch, coughing my head off, this is the sort of realistic approach I need right now.

The 2013 program is just getting started. Today was my first day running with this enormous group of runners and walkers of all ages (oldest: 83!) and abilities, from sub-8 minute miles to...well, to the rest of us, including a huge group of plus-10 minute milers. That's me, for now, and I'm just happy to be moving again.

Most people are training for half- or full marathons. HA! I just want to increase my speed in the 5K and run a couple of 10K races this year. 5K will always be my favorite, but I'm curious to see how my ankles hold out at a longer distance.

I ran for a while today with a woman who is 58. She started running when she was 55 and gave herself a goal of running 60 races before she turns 60. Here's the wild part: half of those races have to be marathons. She's more than halfway to her goal--go, Karen! I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines. Or from the couch.

If you're in the Portland area, you can still join Portland Fit for 2013. Click the link above and get started.

My run today: 3.3 miles in about 30 minutes. I accidentally hit my stopwatch button at about 27.00, so it's a guess.