Running....taking it slowly

Carrie had some great pointers and tips for people who have never run before or are a bit rusty. This is what she said, "I'm definately NOT much of a runner...but I have been in the past. The MOST I've run is 6 miles at one time. My legs just aren't where I grow the best muscle...but for anyone ready to take on the challenge of running, the idea is to START SLOW. I think people think running means you have to run the WHOLE TIME right off the line. SO NOT TRUE. It may take months and months before someone builds up the muscle, including heart muscle to handle that kind of consistency. If you start out in intervals and walking for 3 minutes, running a minute than you can start building up the time you are running as in walking 1 minute, running 3 minutes until you are running the whole time. "

When I first started back at running when Cassideen was just 2-3 months old I remember it clearly. I could only run (jog) 20 steps and then I'd have to walk. Then I'd try another 20 steps and then I was exhausted. I decided I'd walk and get up my strength to run. So I walked for a few weeks before I tried running again. And then I started slowly and walked a lot. Heck I even walk in my races. And while other runners would NEVER EVER EVER walk in a race, I am not one of those runners. I have specific goals when it comes to running but running the whole race has not been one of them...YET...doesn't mean that won't change one day.  So if you are thinking of racing don't let what you think a "runner" should be intimidate you. There are all types of people, ages, and abilities that race.