sub_pop says:

I spent the better part of the last 23 years or so with very little physical activity. Last year I bought a nice new pair of Brooks running shoes. I ran for a couple of months before being sidelined with a sinus infection that turned into an upper respiratory infection. It was late January when I got back into the gym and I have been maintaining a very consistent (but not excessive) program of about 12-15 miles a week and upper body/abdominal work to define my underwhelming upper body a little.

So I'm sore ALL THE TIME now. I wake up feeling a little burn. I'm not talking about so sore I can't walk, function, or concentrate, but sometimes I really feel it. I can tell how hard I'm pushing not only by results, but by how I feel the morning and all day after an especially demanding workout. I also sleep more deeply and feel generally more well rested and alert most days. My overall mood has improved and the motivation of progressing toward a goal has carried over into every aspect of my life.

Just catching on to this at 35 years old, I never expected it would be this much like a drug. My very poor reflexes and coordination have improved sharply. I've always been of above average intelligence, but even that has taken on a noticeable improvement. I even smile more and feel a bit less shy than I always have.

Has anybody else felt any of this, or am I full-blown wackaloon? Tell me about how you got going and what it's done for/to you!

 clayruns4beer says:

 Kraemer says:

Great video, Clayberg. I'm going to post it on my blog this morning.

Sub_pop ... congrats, brutha! My story is very similar to yours, so I don't think you're a wackaloon at all (unless we both are).

John "The Penguin" Bingham shares a similar story in his book "No Need For Speed: A Beginner's Guide to the Joy of Running." Its not uncommon to see dramatic results in the first few months of constant effort. I myself went in 12 weeks from not being able to run a solid mile to completing a 5k race without walking. The sense of accomplishment was tremendous, and fueled me on to bigger challenges (I'm training to complete a marathon before I turn 40 in 2 years).

In the same book, John goes on to warn against letting the newfound enthusiasm push you too hard so that you risk injury, burn-out, or both. I'm starting to take heed and slow my pace down to stay within lower heart-rate levels. But, I don't want to decrease my distance nor frequency.

Anyway, I highly recommend the book.

Keep up the great work. I hope you'll realize even more benefits in the future.

 sub_pop says:

Thanks, Kraemer. So far, I'm pretty sure I've broken through that "I'm bored with this" window. I certainly went through it, and just kept running. I'm still not good enough at pacing myself, and have needed walking rests for every race I've run. I finished under a 10 min/mi pace for the first time in my last race. I'm running another 5K this weekend for a colon cancer benefit. I'm more than a little sure that I'll blow my last performance away.

Clayberg, that is a great commercial. I've never seen it before. Thanks so much!

 petergarner says:

sub_pop,

I started running eight years ago or so, when I was about your age. I think I may have started a little too gradually though. ;-) In any case, over the last two or three years especially, my fitness has increased dramatically, and I can say without question that I'm in the best shape of my life right now (my 18-year-old self could never have run a 1/2 marathon in under 1:40!). At the age of 43, with mid-life crisis rearing its ugly head, feeling THIS strong is an absolutely exhilarating feeling, especially when I feel like I still have lots of room for improvement.

So no, you're not "wackaloon" at all. In fact I would say you're pretty normal. Once you get hooked on the running and fitness drug, it can take you on some amazing trips.

And yes, thanks for posting that ad, Clayberg. I love that kind of advertising.

 Joggersaurus says:

Hooked on running me never! i started like you guys in my mid 30s now 58 and still running and can still do 10k in about 45 min a great feeling passing youngsters. I can stop any time I want???

 kitnkabdl says:

I love that video. I think to be active and feel your muscles & body responding to your workout in such a way is a very good sign!

It could be prett cool stamped on a T-shirt too...

          "If running is for the birds, I must be a WACKALOON!"

 petergarner says:

@Joggersaurus "I can stop any time I want???"

I know that feeling. And 10k in 45 minutes at 58? Amazing.

 hollyanna77 says:

I started in late June, not able to run a 1/2 mile without stopping. I just did 10.5 miles on Sunday in 1:57. Not by any means fast I realize, but when I signed up in June to do the 1/2 Marathon in Monterey in November, I thought I might be able to push myself to do 13 minute miles. I'm averaging 11-11.5 per mile and it feels great. I've gone through phases of exercising in the past 13 years, I'll go strong at the gym or doing videos for a few months, then get busy with my family and slack off. My mood and opinion of myself change so drastically when I'm exercising, and the difference with running is ever more. At first I thought it was just the sense of accomplishment that was giving me the extra 'high' but I'm realizing even with my short runs I just love the run. Wackaloons - be proud!

 RunRonRun says:

I started running in August 2007 for the first time in my life at 48 years old. It all started when I tried to help get my wife in shape. I was her personal trainer until she fired me after one week, something about me being too enthusiastic. I decided to continue running on my own. It was very tough in the beginning, run 1 minute walk 1 minute for fifteen minutes. I remember looking at my watch during the 1 minute run part and only 40 seconds had gone by, I was sure my watch was broken. Within the past couple of weeks I have run a sub 26 min 5K,and a sub 60 min 10K. It really does get addicting, I look forward to every run now. I wish I had started this 30 years ago! Ya'll have a great day eh!