“Is someone chasing you?” is a question I get asked often. There seems to be all kinds of jokes to antagonize runners. I’ve enjoyed the Proverbs t-shit floating around the internet that says “I wanted to go jogging but Proverbs 28:1 says ‘The wicked run when no one is chasing them’ so there’s that…”. The picking usually leads into more questions and chances are they are interested running themselves.
There’s been lots of inquiries followed by lots of excuses too. Which is fine, I’m not judging! Every runner I know is not judging. Sure, there are serious athletes out there. There is also just a lot of people trying to be healthy. Most people who run don’t even like to run!
My friend, Cyndi, has been asking me to run the derby mini marathon with her for years. I consistently told her no. I was in no shape for that! I couldn’t figure out why I would even want to. There’s no way I would win. Why would I want to participate in something I have no chance at success with?
After finding keto and a new energy in which to live and exercise with, I started to understand. I am only in competition with myself. At first, I went months just walking. Just moving. I’d use iFit app on the treadmill and gallivant across different landscapes around the world from my treadmill. Getting as many steps on fitbit as I could get. Joining challenges with my friends who may have been running, but I was just walking.
Then I started to push myself just a little at a time. I started slowly with intervals. Jogging for a lap of a track at a time or for a time limit I’d set myself. Then I would walk inclines or shoot for further distances. It was 8 months before I was comfortable enough to run/jog more than the first mile.
What I’ve learned is you can actually never trust the first mile. I had a confidence issue with running. I was probably ready physically before I was mentally. It takes you the full first mile just to see how you feel, get your pace up and get your breathing under control.
Here’s what happens to your body when you start running:
- Feet tapping the pavement with immediate burst of energy as your body starts using ATP (turns it to ADP). I can do this!
- Your body starts needing fuel. As a ketoer, I feel like I have a little advantage here. Every person is going to use ATP when running. If you are glucose fueled, you yield about 38 molecules of ATP per molecule of glucose. If you are fat fueled, you yield about 120 molecules of ATP per molecule of fat. There is a lot of medical information out there on basic glucose cycle (cellular respiration) or fat cycle (beta oxidation). Here are three links on Clackamas College, Perelman School of Medicine and Christi Vlad Blog that described it too if you are interested.
- Within a few minutes, lactic acid is released from your muscles. This is when you “feel the burn”. I can still do this. I’ve got this. Keep going!
- Next your heart starts beating faster and directing blood towards your muscles. You may get red or flushed. Blood diverts away from functions the body isn’t currently using like digestion. One good reason no one ever runs on a full stomach. Your nose may start to run or post nasal drip. Maybe I can’t! Help me Jesus!
- To generate more fuel (ATP), your body requires oxygen. Here comes the heavy breathing. This sucks! Why am I running? Squish this desire to quit. You have to push through here. Turn your music up, ignore the panting and beating heart and just breathe! Pay attention to your body. Think about your stride. Use your legs and butt instead of your arms. Fix your posture.
- You’re hot and you’re going to stay hot. You’re body is getting use to the energy load required and tossing out ATP as fast as you need it. You’ll get your second wind and know you can keep going, but it took you 10 minutes to get here. Whew. I think I can. I think I can!
- The first mile or first 10 minutes was just letting your body know it is going to work out so buck up. Now you can decide your distance, pace and goal of the day (if you didn’t set it before starting).
- Once you are finished, your start walking (not a dead stop). Your breathing and heart rate returns to normal. You may sweat even more! However, you should feel energized. Your brain is literally on runner’s high as mood-elevating hormones and neurotransmitters flood in (endorphin’s, serotonin, dopamine, etc.). You’ve burned about 100 calories per mile. Oh what a beautiful morning. Oh what a beautiful day.
There are articles for reference that go into more medical details like The Active Times. Moccasin Guru is another fellow running enthusiast great to read reviews from.
