Tove's Walk to Run - Running Log

Weeks Three and Four

My calves feel like timber logs for days – and I don’t do any more running attempts. But running is on my mind all the time. I’m determined not to quit. I do a lot of walking and since my mum’s little town is situated on a hillside I choose the steepest roads to make it as tough as possible.

I visit sport shops and feel like an alien until I realize I can pretend looking for Christmas gifts. So I finally get my watch. I had planned to get a sports bra, too, but seeing only tiny sizes on the hangers in the shop I get so discouraged that I don’t even ask if they have anything in size gigantic. Pretending to study kids’ fleece jackets while secretly listening to the discussion between the shop sales woman and one customer about training – they both obviously run and discuss different places in the area where they like running. They both look very slim and fit, which is even more discouraging.

On the airport on the way home I treat myself to a glossy fitness magazine. It’s a very inspirational read – especially the article about this stressed career woman who after a break down started running – following a running program - and who’s all on about the meditative aspect of running. Somehow I really can identify with her.Back home in Greece I call Irene, whose leg has swallowed up like a balloon and who says she hasn’t had that much pain since she was operated. No more running for her, but she says she’ll come along for the walk as soon as her leg is better. I speak to Sapphire, too, who’s running madly between work and sick kids. It’s freezing cold and windy. “We’ll start again when the weather is better,” she says. Not me, I’m ready to continue right now. But when I unpack I discover I’ve forgot my running shoes in Norway.

Week Four
The expense of new running shoes is something I would have wanted to avoid just before Christmas and this, together with the freezing cold, would normally have been enough for me to make an excuse and leave the running program for after the holidays. But knowing myself and my old patterns I also know that if I take a break now I’ll probably not start again. I’m 44 years old and though I remember reading about this woman who started running marathons at the age of 75 I still think of this as “now or never”. So I buy the new shoes - and smuggle them into the house so my husband won’t see them.With an extra layer of clothes I’m ready for a new run. I’m a bit self-conscious now that I’m at the beach alone, but comfort myself that no one will recognize me with that thick wool cap and the scarf wrapped around my neck and face. Besides, it’s so cold that there is hardly anyone here – despite being an incredibly beautiful afternoon, the air crisp and clear and the sun shining from a bright blue sky.

Having a proper watch makes all the difference! I’m going for the two minutes run, three minutes walk. I’m struggling and feeling like a heavy sack of potatoes, but it’s easier to push myself now that I can see the seconds moving. Only 35 seconds more, 14.., 5..Done! The winter sun casts my shadow on the white piles of gravel along the path. I look like I feel, moving slowly against the wind. But at least I DO IT! And finishing the first run-walk segment that is in the program makes me feel tremendously happy and proud. Yes, I CAN!

I read about running and training and realize that Karey is absolutely right: Your body needs a day’s break between training sessions. I have two more runs this week. First on the beach, where I drag myself along and push myself to manage the two minutes running, still with a huge feeling of satisfaction when I make it. The next time I come down to the beach the waves are going white and there is a strong, freezing wind that penetrates my clothes. I jump back into the car. I’m tough, but not that tough!

Up in my village it’s much more protected. Actually, any runner would love it here: beautiful country roads that slope between vineyards and olive groves. I’ve been walking here a lot, but I’d be dead with embarrassment if any of villager saw me trying to run, gasping for air and pushing my heavy body forwards. Well, I decide none of them will be out on this cold afternoon. Four minutes walking from my house takes me to a gravel road that is hidden from the village by olive trees and which is just the perfect place for my training. Not only that, it suddenly feels much easier and when I finish I feel really encouraged. It works! The rest of the day I’m high on endorphins. I’m already looking forward to next time.