As Fast As You Can

Working from home has resulted in a pretty sedentary lifestyle. I’ve fallen into a routine that requires the least amount of physical activity. It used to be that I’d work from a coffee shop once or twice a week, and I’d be able to get some exercise in on my walk over. I stopped doing that for one reason or another and before I knew it, I was spending five days a week in my apartment.

A couple of weeks ago the manfriend asked me, “when’s the last time you left the apartment?” and I COULDN’T REMEMBER. Unlike a lot of people, I don’t go stir-crazy when I’m cooped up indoors. For one, I don’t think of it as being cooped up. I like being at home; I’m comfortable here. But that’s the thing… I think I’ve gotten too comfortable.

Fortunately with school underway, I’m forced to get out of the apartment twice a week. On the days that I have class, I pack up my work stuff and go to my grandparents’ house — it’s a few blocks away from school, so it’s really convenient. That way I can work, help them as needed, and get to school without rushing or fighting rush-hour traffic.

And on days that I don’t have class, the manfriend and I have decided to run in the mornings. He’s a runner, I’m not. For years my asthma has scared me out of running (that and I look like a jackass when I run). I’ve got my asthma (almost) under control now and I’ve convinced the top half of my body to let the lower half catch up — seriously, I run weird.

We’re doing Couch to 5K with the goal of running (not walking) a 5K this summer. He could run a 5K in his sleep, but he’s being a good sport and working with my pace. We started off on Monday, when it was 0 degrees with a negative windchill. My lungs were on fire. It felt like thumbtacks were pressing into them every time I took a breath. I don’t know if that’s from the asthma, first-time running, or cold weather. Maybe it was a combination of all them? But holy hell.

I was more aware of my breathing during our second run, so I was able to avoid some of the breathing troubles I experienced on day one. It can only get better from here!

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Tagged as: running

BeerAndPie 5 pts

I like running in the cold, but you have to build up to it. If you start running when it's only a little cold, theoretically it's not so bad when it gets REALLY cold. Theoretically.

If you wear a scarf and wrap it loosely around your mouth, you'll warm the air slightly before you breathe it in. It makes it marginally better.

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terrabear 33 pts

First time running is brutal. Whenever I take a long break from running my lungs feel like they're actually going to explode and then cold running feels like actual torture, but it's so good for you. Good luck on rocking a 5k later this year!

Nunzio Bruno 5 pts

I totally know what you mean! I do a lot of work from home too, especially when I'm grading mid-terms or finals. Way to go on the Couch to 5K - I've had a few friends find a lot of success with that too :)

David

I hate running. When ever I run, my joints hurt so bad. I prefer swimming though, but I can't swim all the time when it's cold and the gym that has the swimming is far away from my house. Still, I gotta find another way to exercises or I'll be screw up soon. I sit almost 10 hours a day like you.

selfhelpinsider 5 pts

I love how you said "manfriend" ... lol. I have the same problem as you accept I go to the coffee shop by car ... not by walking. So I guess I need to adopt some habit to exercise too. I also smoke cigarettes so it is even worst. Nice blog, I love it.