My pleasant & surprising fitness accomplishment this summer!

Jennifer P. · 09-22-18, 12:36 PM

Over 30 years ago, my sister moved to Iowa & started running. I went out to see her, & she got me on to it. The first time we went out, she said we were running 1 mile, but she tricked me, & we ran 2 miles. I did not enjoy it, although I had been physically active & always enjoyed playing tennis, swimming, etc. I went back home & continued to run, I'd run 4 miles twice a day--for some reason 4 miles was easier than 1 or 2 miles. Anyway, I never felt like I was doing much more than trudge along except for one run on a Halloween, it might have been the cool temperature. I gave up running.

Around 1984, I started walking. I lived in Tucson, AZ, & I didn't have a car, I took the bus, & I would walk from bus stop to bus stop. I had my portable cassette player, & that was all I needed to have fun. I felt I could walk fast, & it was so much better than running. I swore I'd never run again.

Well, I have kept walking for the most part ever since then, but I did take a hiatus from it for awhile. (I was skating & bike riding instead, along with video aerobics.) A few years ago, I started up again, but I was disappointed. When I was younger, it took me 70 min. to walk 5 miles. Now, it was taking 76 to 78 min. I think I eventually got it down to 75 min.

Well, this year I started added some brief periods of running in my 5 mile walk. Now, my time is 66 to 69 min. It is a pleasant surprise to me that I am able to do something like this even though I am older. I just wanted to share it with someone.

bzar · 09-22-18, 02:08 PM

congratulations!

i used to run too back in the 80s and wonder if i'd ever be able to do that again. you're getting me thinking about it.

what got me away from running was that i needed to find a challenging aerobic workout to do early in the morning before work, and that's how i tried step aerobics with gin miller's video that i borrowed from the library.

since then, i only do brisk walking, probably at a 4 MPH pace. that's quite an achievement that you can do 5 miles in 66 min!

Jennifer P. · 09-22-18, 03:31 PM

Thank you! I don't run the whole time, & I can only do 5 miles in 66 min. if I do about 10 runs sprinkled throughout. I am satisfied with just doing 7-10 runs & not running the whole way. You should try doing a few runs during your walks & see if you like it. Did you enjoy running in the 80's? I didn't like it that much, but the runs I do in my walking are fun.

bzar · 09-22-18, 03:53 PM

i did, and that's when the marathon craze was in vogue. i ran with my brother.

i did fun runs here and there. in the early 90s, i did a half marathon. i was not prepared, but i finished - something like a little over 3 hours. it was a very hilly course and difficult. had it been a flat course, i would've done slightly better, but not much. i was fine with that - i just wanted to finish.

i could do a run walk i believe. i have strong endurance. if i want to intensify, i do bleachers interspersed with straight brisk walking.

Lannette · 09-22-18, 05:33 PM

Congratulations! What a fun accomplishment!

I used to love run/walk intervals and have been thinking that once I retire again I might get back into doing them more regularly. You’ve given me hope.

Dorothy J · 09-22-18, 06:44 PM

Congratulations, Jennifer P.!

That's great and such a wonderful inspiration to keep going!

cataddict · 09-22-18, 07:17 PM

Good for you, Jennifer P! I hope you are enjoying running this time around.

summer breeze · 09-23-18, 08:15 AM

Congrats!! I used to run way back when and I suppose I didn't like it much either because I did stop. I walk now too and I like adding in the little run intervals when I can. I have been having some low back issues lately. Anyway, that is a great accomplishment. How often do you walk/run? You have me wanting to be more consistent with the walk/runs now.

Jennifer P. · 09-23-18, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by summer breeze

Congrats!! I used to run way back when and I suppose I didn't like it much either because I did stop. I walk now too and I like adding in the little run intervals when I can. I have been having some low back issues lately. Anyway, that is a great accomplishment. How often do you walk/run? You have me wanting to be more consistent with the walk/runs now.

I actually only do this once a week on Saturday mornings. I do video workouts the rest of the time. As much as I like walking & exercising outside, I like aerobics better, & my legs & butt like it better, too--they like a variety of movements better than repetitive movements. Years sgo, I tried "aerobic walking," doing skips, slides & other aerobic type moves during my walk, but the time I tried it I hadn't conditioned my shins w/ shorter walks, & I got shin splints. I had forgotten all about that until I started this thread. I am hoping to try that again soon (I hope I remember it next Saturday!)

Vintage VFer · 09-23-18, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jennifer P.

...
Well, this year I started added some brief periods of running in my 5 mile walk. Now, my time is 66 to 69 min. It is a pleasant surprise to me that I am able to do something like this even though I am older. I just wanted to share it with someone.

Congrats! It's never too late to make fitness achievements! 👍🏼

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09-22-18, 12:36 PM
Jennifer P. VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Va. Beach, VA	My pleasant & surprising fitness accomplishment this summer! Over 30 years ago, my sister moved to Iowa & started running. I went out to see her, & she got me on to it. The first time we went out, she said we were running 1 mile, but she tricked me, & we ran 2 miles. I did not enjoy it, although I had been physically active & always enjoyed playing tennis, swimming, etc. I went back home & continued to run, I'd run 4 miles twice a day--for some reason 4 miles was easier than 1 or 2 miles. Anyway, I never felt like I was doing much more than trudge along except for one run on a Halloween, it might have been the cool temperature. I gave up running. Around 1984, I started walking. I lived in Tucson, AZ, & I didn't have a car, I took the bus, & I would walk from bus stop to bus stop. I had my portable cassette player, & that was all I needed to have fun. I felt I could walk fast, & it was so much better than running. I swore I'd never run again. Well, I have kept walking for the most part ever since then, but I did take a hiatus from it for awhile. (I was skating & bike riding instead, along with video aerobics.) A few years ago, I started up again, but I was disappointed. When I was younger, it took me 70 min. to walk 5 miles. Now, it was taking 76 to 78 min. I think I eventually got it down to 75 min. Well, this year I started added some brief periods of running in my 5 mile walk. Now, my time is 66 to 69 min. It is a pleasant surprise to me that I am able to do something like this even though I am older. I just wanted to share it with someone. __________________ Jennifer P. Let's keep this beautiful planet & all its wonderful creatures alive!

09-22-18, 02:08 PM
bzar Exchange Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: PalmTreeVille	congratulations! i used to run too back in the 80s and wonder if i'd ever be able to do that again. you're getting me thinking about it. what got me away from running was that i needed to find a challenging aerobic workout to do early in the morning before work, and that's how i tried step aerobics with gin miller's video that i borrowed from the library. since then, i only do brisk walking, probably at a 4 MPH pace. that's quite an achievement that you can do 5 miles in 66 min! __________________ ~jeannine Miyagi: Wax on, right hand. Wax off, left hand. Wax on, wax off. Breathe in through nose, out the mouth. Wax on, wax off. Don't forget to breathe, very important. [walks away, still making circular motions with hands] ~ Pat Morita, The Karate Kid, 1984 disclosure: in the years 2002-2004 i had a professional relationship with a distributor of fitness videos; see profile.

09-22-18, 03:31 PM
Jennifer P. VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Va. Beach, VA	Thank you! I don't run the whole time, & I can only do 5 miles in 66 min. if I do about 10 runs sprinkled throughout. I am satisfied with just doing 7-10 runs & not running the whole way. You should try doing a few runs during your walks & see if you like it. Did you enjoy running in the 80's? I didn't like it that much, but the runs I do in my walking are fun. __________________ Jennifer P. Let's keep this beautiful planet & all its wonderful creatures alive!

09-22-18, 03:53 PM
bzar Exchange Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: PalmTreeVille	i did, and that's when the marathon craze was in vogue. i ran with my brother. i did fun runs here and there. in the early 90s, i did a half marathon. i was not prepared, but i finished - something like a little over 3 hours. it was a very hilly course and difficult. had it been a flat course, i would've done slightly better, but not much. i was fine with that - i just wanted to finish. i could do a run walk i believe. i have strong endurance. if i want to intensify, i do bleachers interspersed with straight brisk walking. __________________ ~jeannine Miyagi: Wax on, right hand. Wax off, left hand. Wax on, wax off. Breathe in through nose, out the mouth. Wax on, wax off. Don't forget to breathe, very important. [walks away, still making circular motions with hands] ~ Pat Morita, The Karate Kid, 1984 disclosure: in the years 2002-2004 i had a professional relationship with a distributor of fitness videos; see profile.

09-22-18, 05:33 PM
Lannette Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NH	Congratulations! What a fun accomplishment! I used to love run/walk intervals and have been thinking that once I retire again I might get back into doing them more regularly. You’ve given me hope. __________________ Lannette See my profile for info on relationships with various video distributors. Do you really want to look back on your life and see how wonderful it could have been had you not been afraid to live it? - Caroline Myss

09-22-18, 06:44 PM
Dorothy J VF Supporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Florida	Congratulations, Jennifer P.! That's great and such a wonderful inspiration to keep going! __________________ - Dorothy "You want to go into life feeling great, feeling strong, and as you get older, feeling even stronger!" Gin Miller

09-22-18, 07:17 PM
cataddict VF Supporter Join Date: Oct 2006	Good for you, Jennifer P! I hope you are enjoying running this time around. __________________ How fierce will you be today? VFer KateTT Watula, Cheeto, Charli, Lux, Merlin, Rudy, Finley the Cat, Hobbes, Winston, and Finley the Dog Fan Girl! Word of 2024: Patience

09-23-18, 08:15 AM
summer breeze VF Supporter Join Date: Aug 2005	Congrats!! I used to run way back when and I suppose I didn't like it much either because I did stop. I walk now too and I like adding in the little run intervals when I can. I have been having some low back issues lately. Anyway, that is a great accomplishment. How often do you walk/run? You have me wanting to be more consistent with the walk/runs now.