I’ve always been envious of runners. The high they feel once they’ve made it past mile 5 and are running on cruise control, the sense of accomplishment they feel when they beat their own record, and the effectiveness of the sport itself to keep the body in shape. When I was in middle school, I was on my school’s track team but I was a sprinter. The 100 and 200 meter dashes were my forte – I had the stamina, the quick rush of momentum, but lacked the endurance to do any distances of great length. Still, I tried to pursue jogging as a complementary form of exercise but always ended up frustrated and disappointed in myself when my legs wouldn’t carry me further than a mile before I needed to slow down and walk.
I know about all the strategies to running – that it’s all psychological and a matter of practice and training. I also know that there really isn’t anything wrong with walk-running as the varying levels of intensity actually provide a more cardiovascular workout. Nevertheless, I couldn’t get myself to really become one with the road. I liked the idea of being a runner without all that…
