I just finished my first run. I’m happy to say I’ve survived, and that I only expect it to get harder, then slightly easier, and then harder again from here on out.
My instructions were to run for one half hour, alternating running and walking. I expect I’ll be doing this for a while, as, at this point, running for 30 minutes straight would probably result in dizziness and headaches and vomiting and unpleasantries like that. I don’t own a watch, so to run/walk for 30 minutes, alternating a regular intervals, I created a playlist on the iPod. 15 tracks, all about 2 minutes long. I hoped to run for 8 of them and walk for 7, but that didn’t quite work out. First, the list:
- Operation Ivy – Vulnerability (run)
- The Mountain Goats – Magpie (walk)
- The Futureheads – Robot (run)
- The Beatles – Do You Want to Know a Secret (run)
- The Beatles – And Your Bird Can Sing (run)
- Panda Bear – Ponytail (walk)
- Neutral Milk Hotel – King of Carrot Flower Part 1 (walk)
- Radiohead – Hunting Bears (run)
- Elvis Costello – No Action (walk)
- The Mountain Goats – Going to Malibu (run)
- The Replacements - Waitress in the Sky (walk)
- Beirut – My Family’s Role in the World Revolution (run)
- The Beatles – I’ve Just Seen a Face (walk)
- Vampire Weekend – Mansard Roof (run)
- Pixies – Doolittle (walk)
- Total time: 30:37
As I assume you can see, I took a bit of an extended vacation early on. After 12 minutes of activity, my lungs were burning, my head felt hot, swollen, and I was getting a little dizzy, I’m afraid. So, by necessity, I took another 2 minutes to walk. I’m pleased to say the two minutes were just what I needed, as I felt well enough to complete the run. Though I certainly struggled toward the end, I never felt like that again, and my endgame struggles were more along the lines of my legs getting tired, instead of my body trying to explode.
All in all, I ran for 14 minutes and walked for 16, and covered about 2.5 miles in the process. I’d estimate that about half that distance was covered in the first 12 minutes, as I was discernably slower after the break than I was before, and I was definitely moving slower than I would have liked during the final 8 minutes of so. I wish I could’ve run farther in 30 minutes–a 12 minute mile isn’t something to brag about, but I have to admit I’m pleased I actually made it for the duration. In my previous, less guided, efforts to run I have always given up at that 12 minute hurdle. I’m pleased that I was able to handle it reasonably well.
I also learned a stunningly important lesson today. One I’ve learned before, in fact, but always forget when I lose the habit of exercising: eat before you run. Not necessarily right before, but if you run in the morning, have breakfast first. I didn’t today, and I’m fairly sure it contributed to my dizziness, and it’s also the main suspect in the confusing feelings of extraordinary hunger and nausea that I’m feeling presently.
I don’t think I’m going to do most of my running in the morning, as my job will have me working from 6:30AM until the early afternoon, and though I like getting up early, I don’t think I have an extra half hour for running like that, when I’ve got nothing but free time in the afternoons. Hopefully, I’ll just remember to eat lunch first.
