• New Balance running shoes, which the saleslady assured me are well-padded for sidewalk running and have nonslip soles that will last much longer than Nikes. Imagine me, wot’s always wore dainty Madame Pompadour-like shoes, in these Volkswagen-sized behemoths!
• 4-lb. wrist weights, which seem to be mislabeled, as they actually weigh one ton apiece.
• socks, sports bra, shorts (demurely baggy, with pockets, for keys, Kleenex, compact and lipstick).
Yesterday I took off on a trot around the neighborhood—got two blocks before I sounded like Orson Welles making an obscene phone call. After that I had to walk one block, trot one block, and so on. I am so stiff this morning you could use me as an ironing board.
Today was my first day back on the cross country team. Ah, running…how could I miss it? <sigh> Five years and counting, and it still doesn’t get any easier.
Good luck, Eve! I now swear by New Balance shoes; they really have the best arch supports IMO.
I know you didn’t ask for any advice, but I can’t help myself. Be sure to constantly drink water! Try and find a running partner, because it’s much easier to get out of bed and keep going if there’s someone there suffering as much as you. Vary your routes. Stretch stretch stretch!
Compact and lipstick? You’re running, girl! Not modeling on a catwalk.
Anyway, best of luck to you! Keep going. You’ll enjoy it more in a few weeks or so, trust me.
No running partners; I don’t KNOW anyone in my neighborhood! Easy enough to vary routes, though. And I’ll gulp down some water (or maybe a stiff gin) before starting.
“Compact and lipstick? You’re running, girl! Not modeling on a catwalk.”
Go Eve!. I was thinking of you on Friday whilst doing my own run.
I wanted to tell you a bit of advice that helped me: get a pattern or rhythm to your breathing. That seems to help with the focus. When you can’t keep your rhythm down anymore, stop and walk for a bit, then start again.
My pattern is 2 short breaths in through the nose and one out through the mouth.
Find what works for you.
I got myself some new running shoes this weekend too! ASICS 2060s. Going to break them in tonight. Yeah!
