How I Became a Runner

2007. I started running in October 2007 simply because when our family moved from the West to East Side of Manhattan, we no longer had access to a health club in our building.  Even prior to the move, I sporadically used a treadmill and never ran outdoors.  As a child I played basketball exclusively thru high school and viewed running as a punishment.  Rather than sign up at a nearby health club, my wife and I started running along the Reservoir Path in Central Park.  At first, I could not complete the 1.56 mile route without stopping.  Nonetheless, we stuck with it and kept putting one foot in front of the other and found gradual improvement over the next 3 months … I could run up to 4-5 miles.  I started to keep a training log to observe the improvement in my running.  Weight loss was a side benefit … before I started running I weighed 225lbs (my weight for the last 10 years).  At 6’2″, no one in my circle ever mentioned if I could lose a couple lbs … I have broad shoulders and was reasonably muscular (so I thought).  End of year weight 195lbs.

2008. In 2008, I continued to run 4-6 miles 4-5 times a week exclusively in Central Park.  However, I only ran on the asphalt as that’s what I assumed that is where “serious” runners ran.  I never encountered a major injury … an occasional bout of ITB which required a week off the road … I rarely saw elite runners on the asphalt.  At best, I was a casual (ignorant) runner as I did not compete in races, join a racing club, read running books or websites.  In the fall of 2008, friends asked whether I was running the NYC Marathon.  In 38 years on this Earth, I had never given a marathon any thought whatsoever.  I was barely getting thru the outer loop in Central Park (6 miles) … 26.2 seemed absurd.  However, during week leading up to the 2008 ING NYC Marathon I became hooked.  On a daily run, I actually ran thru the finishing line as they were preparing the course.  On race day, I watched race participants pass by 1st Avenue & 83rd Street as well as the TV coverage.  I would one day run the NYC Marathon.

2009. I surveyed the NYC Marathon race requirements, joined New York Road Runners and decided to run the 9 races + volunteer for another to receive guaranteed entry in 2010.  As a beginner, I kept races to shorter distances (5K, 4M, 5M, 10K) to gain experience and build confidence. I learned that I have a lot to learn about pacing and building endurance.  My distance runner education began in earnest after I decided to run the NYC Half Marathon in August.  This race held significance as it would give me the confidence that 26.2 is not impossible, just the next step.  I spent more time researching and reading Runner’s World Forums.  I began to run the vast majority of training runs on paths and trails (easier on the joints long term and builds strength). I pushed my long slow distance runs to 8, 10, 12.  In short, I became more serious about (while still enjoying) running.  While I finished the race (in brutally hot conditions), I was disappointed with my time.  Nonetheless, the 2009 NYC Half marked a turning point in my running … setting the stage for what is to come!  This blog is a window into that journey.