I celebrated a major milestone this week.
Tuesday marked the first day I ran for a full hour and a total of 6.4 miles.
And it’s true, I didn’t stop to take a quick one-minute break or have trouble breathing the entire time.
For the past 14 weeks, I have been training to run a 10K and apparently it has worked, because I can now run that distance and more.
This is the last week of the training, after which I will continue to run in the mornings.
Before training to run, I could barely run half a mile without irregular breathing. I have really surprised myself.
Next weekend I will be participating in my first 5K run in Bay St. Louis. Also, maybe even more surprising, I will be asked to wear a tutu. It will be a day of firsts.
The event is to raise money for my former flower girl’s dance school. I always have a difficult time saying no to this six-year-old little spitfire, and it’s been that way since she was a few weeks old. She definitely knows a sucker when she sees one.
But I digress.
I started running as an alternate workout on the days that I don’t have Zumba, and I am already seeing and feeling all of the benefits. My knees rarely hurt anymore and I have more stamina.
According to the Better Health Channel’s website, there are many benefits to running and jogging including building strong bones, strengthening muscles, improving cardiovascular fitness, burning calories and maintaining a healthy weight.
Consult with your doctor before beginning any exercise program.
Learn more about running and other health information at www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au.