Let’s go for a run
Posted By Mike Williams on January 17, 2009
Let’s go for a run
I hope you are having an awesome day and thought I’d share a little story with you. It has nothing to do with AutoCAD, so I understand if you want to stop reading right now. I just wanted to encourage you a little…
I just got back from running and I feel incredible. I love going outside and taking a run around our city’s lake. There’s something about running outside that’s so amazing. I love to see how far I’ve gone. The sense of accomplishment is what keeps me going back. That’s probably why I can’t run around a track or on a treadmill. Today me and 2 of my friends ran just under 4miles.
I’m definitely not a “real” runner. I just started about a year ago. I had been on a diet, I was about 70lbs overweight, and after losing around 25 lbs, decided that diet alone would not get me the rest of the way. So I started walking. I remember the first time I ran was because a friend of mine, who was dieting with me (we actually had a bet going), told me he ran 3 miles the day before. I figured,”if he can do it, I can do it”. So I took off. I ran about 50 feet and thought I was going to die. The first thought that entered my mind (after the “I’m going to die part”) was “Troy is a liar”. I felt it was not humanly possible to run 3miles.
Needless to say, I stuck with it and added a little more distance each time. Last spring I ran in my first Half-Marathon. I was so pumped. I’m going to run it again in March, this time with a few friends.
The reason for this message is I’ve realized how easy it is for people like us who sit at a computer all day to let our health slip. Add to that the long hours we sometimes have to work and the stress of meeting deadlines and as a whole, we can be a pretty unhealthy bunch. If you fall into this category, I want to encourage you to get up from your computer, go outside, breathe some fresh air and start doing a little exercise. I think it would be awesome if our little community were to collectively set some goals this year to get in shape.
Go sign up for a fun run, Half-Marathon, triathlon, or whatever. Post your goals and your progress in the comment section. Let’s spur one another on to accomplishing our goals. Let me know what you think. I’ve signed up for the Seabrook Lucky Trail Marathon. Seabrook is south of Houston, TX, so if you are in the area, come join us. This is the one I ran in last spring and look forward to returning and supporting that community.
About the author
Mike Williams
Michael E. Williams has been using AutoCAD since Release 2.1. He's been providing AutoCAD drafting, training and consulting to the Architectural, Industrial, and Engineering communities for over 20 years. Mike has trained entire drafting departments of a Fortune 500 companies and held classes and seminars for Architects, Engineers and Contractors. He's taken people with zero experience, training or knowledge of drafting, architecture or CAD and turned them into highly productive and knowledgeable drafting professionals. As owner and operator of Michael E. Williams Computer Graphics, he has personally drafted on thousands of projects for hundreds of clients. The tips and tricks he teaches come from personal experience and a pursuit of efficiency and productivity in a production environment. Mike lives in Lake Charles, Louisiana with his wife Tanya and their three girls (Alex, Kate and Eden).Comments
7 Responses to “Let’s go for a run”
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I wouldn’t mind getting more into running. The most continuous running I’ve done thus far is 3.5 miles (without breaking for walks). I’ve gotten a lot more lenient and I’m down to 4.5 miles with only 2 to 2.5 of them running…and I don’t mean continuous (I do wear a 12 lb vest though, does this count? Hehe).
I’m not so sure I’m ready for a marathon but I’m certainly going to check out the ebook you posted a link to.
Thanks for the motivational boost, I needed it today!
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Hey Jo,
3.5 miles is awesome. And if you are wearing a 12lb vest that’s amazing. I remember my progression for running. Once I got past the 1st 50′, I slowly worked my way up. I remember the 1st time I ran 3 miles. I felt like I conquered the world. I remember thinking that all I needed to do was find a pace that I felt I could maintain and I could go farther. So the next time I went at an easy pace and ran about 4 miles.
I began to think, “If I can run 4, I know I can run 5, and if 5 then 8 and if 8 then 10″. If I could run 10 miles then I knew I could run in a half marathon, so I went ahead and registered for one. In about 3 or 4 weeks I went from a seemingly impossible 3 miles to 10miles. Then I ran the half marathon, never having run 13 miles before. It was awesome. My goal was to run it at any pace under 11:00 min mile. It flew by and midway I adjusted my pace because I was tracking around a pace of 10 min mile and felt great. I finished around 9:45 pace and could have run farther.
It was a great personal achievement. I recommend that anyone who is able (everyone should of course check with their doctor first) should set a goal to accomplish some sort of run, bike, swim, etc… and start training for it. Once you see that you can do it, it seems like nothing is impossible for you.
Keep up the good work and keep us posted as you go.
Mike
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I guess this is my biggest problem. I think if I slow down my pace and pick up miles, somehow I’m still going backwards. This is probably another benefit of not being on the hampster wheel staring at digits that tell you exactly how fast you’re going, how many calories you’re burning, how far you’ve ran etc. All those numbers make it hard to just run and enjoy yourself!
I guess I need to stop worrying about speed and concentrate on my endurance for now? I guess the speed comes on it’s own after a while?
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When it comes to distance running, forget about running fast. At some point there’s a pace where you feel like you could run forever. Find it and run some distance. There are usually 3 limiting factors that kick in for me. 1) My breath 2) heart rate 3) aches and pains. You can find a pace that controls your breath and heart rate, then you really condition the aches and pains after that. I know there were muscles and blisters that I started experiencing once I got over 8 miles that I never experienced at 5 miles.
Once you find that pace, run for distance 1 time per week. You can work on your pace the other times on shorter runs. I run my faster runs during the week at lunch. I run 3 miles and I’m just starting to get my time down. Today (into a strong wind) my pace was 9:01. I should be around 8:30 soon. I then walk back 3 miles.
My calorie burn is usually about 600+-. You are right about endurance. Work on that and speed will come. And again, the most gratifying thing for me is seeing how far I traveled. That’s what motivates me. Running fast and feeling like I’m going to die is not a very motivating factor.
Don’t over do it. Run safe and smart (Consult Doctor and “real runner”) Keep it up and keep me posted.
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I thought I’d share this comment received via email:
Good morning Mike,
I hope all is well. Thanks for the tip today. Today is a beautiful day and I can’t wait to start training. I looked up the Seabrook event and I will make it my goal to be a part of it. I am keeping my expectations real and being careful. My dog (I am careful with my pooch too) and I will go for a run this evening and I can’t wait. You have a wonderful day!
Leslie
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Hey Leslie,
I’m so excited for you. Take it slow, set a goal and you will achieve it. I look forward to seeing you on March 14th.
Mike
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Grats to Leslie! I don’t have enough “umph” to sign up for a half marathon yet, I tend to be more underconfident then overconfident about things. I am running again and I do plan to build up more miles!
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