run run run!

today, i allowed myself to be put through torture. and by torture, i mean jogging/running.

now before any of you think i'm exaggerating, let me explain why this very normal exercise is something i've avoided at all costs.

being a sickly child, grandma prevented me from exercising from young, for fear i would trigger a bout of never ending cough or get an asthma attack. so her fears translated into me really thinking i can't 'strain' myself; so convinced was i that i told my sec school PE teacher that i can't complete the 2.4km run (or was it 1.6?) cuz of my asthmatic condition. of course, she didn't buy it (thank God). so the only time i ran was during PE, and each time i had to run, it was horrid. and i always failed my NAFA cuz i failed this segment of the test.

you must be thinking, 'but you dance!!'

... i know!! :P but i've also realized that i'm more capable of short bursts of energy, hence being more capable of conquering the 100 and 200m sprints during sec school days, and dancing. even when i dance, each song's 4-5 min long ;)

anyway, hubby2be wanted some exercise and since my bicycle won't be avail till nov/dec, i suggested running. and i knew i was setting myself up for trouble. nonetheless, i stretched my muscles dutifully for half an hour, and set off.

oh man...within minutes, i could feel my butt muscles burning! what's going on?? and my thigh muscles stretched as i tried to determine the best way to land my feet on the ground. and learn how to breathe right. and try to fight the increasing tightness in my head and chest. and wondering why my ears were slowly becoming blocked. and trying to keep my head from not spinning as the light-headedness increased. see why i don't like to run?

but i completed (some) of the stipulated distance, with much coaching and encouragement from the hubby2be. in fact, he said despite my dislike for it, i clocked a pretty good time for the distance covered (some of which was through brisk walking). i still hate running, and will probably grow less loathesome of it as i learn to get the hang of coordinating my strides, breathing and pace. one thing's for sure, as i struggled on with the Olympic athletes flashing through my mind, i had even more respect for them.

so this will be the start of a weekly process, until (or along with) i get my bike. the 2 things that are keeping me going are,

1. i'll have better stamina and be healthier out of this
2. the fact that i got a gold for my NAFA during my JC days (Jurong JC, where a silver is the mimimum for all students)

oooh my aching muscles...