Yesterday, I took a new runner off the treadmill and in to the great outdoors. Sure, it was a suburban park but it was outdoors nevertheless.
Jen M., one of the new runners in my running group, had never run anywhere but on the treadmill. She's been training well, but hasn't been able to make any of our group runs yet. With the race about a month and a half away, she was getting a little nervous about being able to make the transition from inside to out. I told her I would run with her so she could get at least one run under her belt.
So, we met for a run yesterday evening, although I have to admit that I did sneak in a quick run on my own before Jen arrived. I had too!
Anyway, Jen arrived and she told me she was nervous. Nervous about running outdoors and running the distance (I had her running 3/4mile (x2) and 1/2mile, with 1/4mile walks in between -- her longest distance). Don't be too nervous, I told her, you can do it!
We got her pumped up:
I'm not going to die. No, you're not going to die.
I'm not going to throw up. No, you're not going to throw up.
I can do this. Yes, you can do this!!!
And with that, we headed off.
Jen did great. We started with a quarter mile walk and then ran for 3/4 of a mile. I slowed Jen down a little at the start but she still settled into a solid, brisk pace. Faster than I thought she would run. She was running strong and her form was good so on we went. After the run interval, we walked for a quarter mile and then it was back to the run. Again, Jen held a solid pace of under 10-min/mile. We walked again and then ran the final, half-mile interval. She was pretty much done by the end of that interval, but that was OK because, well, she was done!
It was a successful first outdoor run for my newbie runner. Our full run/walk was 3.11miles in about 36 minutes. Yay!
After the run, we cleaned up just a bit and headed out to meet some other friends for our monthly girls night out. Yes, we were sweaty. But the run was worth it and no one seemed to mind. Or, at least, they were nice to us and didn't say anything :-)
Have a great day!
~ Felice
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
From in to out.
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28 comments:
Such a great experience! I'm sure she'll appreciate you showing her how fun it can be to run outside for a long, long time. Treadmills get old pretty fast, but outside there's always somewhere new to go, new elements to deal with, and awesome fresh air!
Now she will be hooked on outdoor running and all thanks to your support.
BTW, baby wipes or wet towels stashed in a plastic bag - use them all the time if I have errands after my runs.
Way to go! I love taking new runners on their first outside run, or their longest distance. I remember how great it felt when I had someone there for me all the times I needed a little extra push.
We've all been there thinking we're going to die, pass out, throw up. Once you get over that mental block, you can do anything. No you won't die, but you might throw up. Or mess yourself in some way.
I remember when hubs convinced me to join him outside for the first time when I had run exclusively on the treadmill. It sure is different, and I haven't looked back since.
Congrats to Jen! She has a great coach.
That's awesome! Hopefully she will never look back.
How fun!! That is great that you got to experience that with her :)
sounds like you did an awesome job helping her transition! I'll bet she doesn't want to go back to the treadmill after that. I know I didn't once I started running outside!
That is so awesome! I'm sure she's going to love running outside after such a great introduction to it with you.
I think this is the same "get pumped up" coversation I have with myself everyday. :) Love it. Glad to hear it was a good run!
awesome!
yea jen!! it's really important to get those runs in outside to get used to it!! way to go breaking her in!
That's great! I'm sure that was a huge confidence booster for your friend.
I know I was there, but I think pregnancy has messed up your time/space continuum... sub-10 minute miles? I just don't believe you! :-P
Sounds like you're a great coach!
That's awesome! Go Jen!
I love running with new runners too. I bet she really appreciated you!
Jen -- who was watching the Garmin? Huh? Yeah, I know how fast you were running!!!
Great to hear stories of new runners! Reminds me of what it was like!
Woohoo for the new outdoor runner. The most difficult part is probably pacing and controlling speed since the treadmill will usually do that for her.
That's great! Sounds like she's going to rock the race.
Yeah for new runners!!!! I know I say this a lot but I think what you are doing is really awesome. You are making a real difference!
Glad you two were able to get out for that run!
I'm sooo happy you were able to get your friends off the deathmill and outdoors! Congratulations to you and her!
We ALWAYS go to happy hour after our sweaty group runs...it totally makes you more attractive ;)
Sounds like it was a nice run outside :) Hopefully she's hooked.
That's great! Kudos to both of you!
Winks & Smiles,
Wifey
you are a great friend/running mentor :) congrats to jen! i had to laugh at the "no you won't die; you won't throw up" comments - too cute.
Sounds like she has a great coach to me! :)
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