Sunday, October 03, 2010

Running my Life

There are two sets of people I envy: Writers and Long Distance Runners.

Being very left brained (let's save the left vs right discussion for another post), i have always looked with awe and great appreciation on those who can weave words together that mesmerize; be it a line, phrase, poem, song or an entire tale. My aunt, a great english teacher, once told me that my essays were pure bones, no meat. I have never forgotten these words which were said to me when i was still in primary school, and though i am still convinced that the skeleton is what is important, and the meat is unnecessary drivel adornment, my envy remains. I think in part this blog was to help me face that envy head on.

Running has always been a different kettle of fish.

I was very athletic in my youth :), athletics (100m), tennis and netball in high school; volleyball, football, cricket at university and even a short stint playing for my country in volleyball. But what i could never do was run for any length of time. Excruciating shin splints, knee issues, back pain, all would surface if i tried to run for even 5 minutes. Thankfully after finally getting it all checked out, the issues seem to be pronated feet and an underdeveloped quad (vastus medialis) and with some rehabilitation and semi-customized insoles, i have been able to jog on the treadmill at the gym with no adverse effects. I thus decided to participate in a 5k for charity last weekend in the driving rain of the system that would become TS Nicole. I chose to run, thinking i would walk more than run, but wanting the option to run just the same. I finished (albeit 172nd out of 267 entrants) in 36:22 having run (jogged) at least 85% of the distance. I have been jogging consistently in the gym since and have decided that road racing (uhmmm participating) will be my new thing. I am off to get running shoes, customized insoles and proper socks.

I feel invigorated, energized and unstoppable. I feel like I can conquer the world.

Runners beware!!


6 comments:

J.D said...

ha...ha...ha...

running on a treadmill is nothing like running outdoors...apart from a few similar mechanics, outdoors is fun (more engaging), invigorating (fresh air if you can get it) and you get the freedom from the smelly confines of a gym's walls...

finishing 1st or 267th place doesn't compare to the pleasures that can be had from enjoying your accomplishment...as you are running, take the time to relax your mind, so at the end of your run, your mind will be rejoicing about your accomplishment...

kudos...keep it up...

Kara - Jamaican Woman said...

the running in the gym is just to get my body acclimatized to the activity. Before the 5k i hadn't done any sort of running it at least 6 months, and yeah, though i want that sense of accomplishment, i also want better tan 36:22 and better than 172nd :) :)

thanks for the kudos!!

Anonymous said...

It is through BELIEF that we BECOME...Follow your passion and wear it on your sleeve

search said...

Congratulations on your run! And as an overpronator, I would say try New Balance running shoes...they are the best, IMO.

Onward to the next one....a 10K.

Jamaican PR girl said...

You go girl! Keep it up and I am sure you will achieve that goal! I certainly admire those who can do distance running and I support them all the way!

Go Kamla :-)

thenationatalk said...

i like your heart girl,you are go getter