Tove's Walk to Run - Running Log

Weeks Five, Six and Seven

However, at the end of the week I decide to try for two and a half minutes of running and ditto walking – but only two sessions. To my big surprise I easily make it!

Week Six
For some reason it seems easier when I run at the hidden road between the olive groves close to my house. Maybe because it’s slightly sloping? I find a stretch where I’m absolutely sure not to be seen and decide to run forth and back here. I start out with two and a half minute and it goes dead easy. I have absolutely no problem doing four rounds with two and a half minute of running and same walking – I have quite a long walk back home to the house, but still run the last minute or so.

Something has happened. I feel so much lighter. It’s like the heaviness is gone. Maybe it’s just my body getting used to this way of moving. I’m watching a reality show on TV where 16 nerds who never have done any sports are picked out to form a football team, trained by a top coach and former professional player. He says that these guys don’t have a relationship with their body, they simply don’t understand how it works – and that part of the training is simply to get used to moving. I feel really inspired watching the show. I’m thinking that is it – I just have to get used to running.

Next day, I start painting the house, and click – there goes my back. I’ve had back problems since I had a bad fall twenty years ago. Some extra kilos, especially on my tummy, doesn’t help. From time to time my back collapses. Sometimes so bad that I can’t stand, but crawl on all fours from the bed to the toilet. Every time I swear now I’ll start taking care of it – but the intention lasts only as long as the pain is there.On the next running day I walk the same distance with my trekking poles. It’s not the same. I have this inner fear that this is gonna be it, now I’ll stop – and I don’t want to! I want to be a runner. It’s like Karey says, it’s a kind of identity. You look upon yourself differently. And I will look upon myself as a runner.

Week Seven
Back still shit. I can walk, but not sit. It makes me in a bad mood. I have skipped one running day. Went for a walk with the trekking poles again, but it was freezing cold down by the sea and I hadn’t dressed properly so I only did half a round. Feeling low and like a loser. Getting my period doesn’t help. I’m into the couch, wine and comfort food – no running for me.

But in the night I lie half awake, half dreaming and I suddenly realize one thing: I have back problems not running. Running might not hurt. I know that the only permanent solution to my back problem is getting more fit, lose some weight and get stronger stomach muscles.

Next morning is Sunday and I get straight from bed into my track suit and drive down to the beach. It’s a stunning morning, the sea and sky overlaps each other in different shades of blue. I do the four minutes walking for a warm up and start carefully to run. No problem! I have decided to go easy for two and a half minute and not push myself, but at two minutes and 10 seconds a man walking his dog shouts something to me and I get distracted answering and suddenly three minutes have passed! Wow! Can I do another three minutes? Yes, I can! And another? Yes! And another? YES, YES, YES!! I RUN more than I walk! I’m euphoric. And my back feels great. I get so warm from running that I can do some really good stretching and that really, really helps.

Repeating twice this week and I start feeling like a proper runner…