My friend also asked me why I picked running as opposed to other sports. Here is my answer:
Runners DEFINITELY have a community. Like, when you run and you pass another runner, you give them a nod or a little wave or smile. That's nice. I definitely don't see people at the gym giving each other encouraging looks. It seems more competitive at gyms, like "I can do this stairmaster WAY faster than you!" And going into the free weights room--forget it! I think I like the fact that no one tells me what to do but that I have a "schedule" or plan I need to follow--I like that. It takes the best of being instructed what to do when (like a class) but without someone yelling at you (except for the voice in your head that you learn to cultivate). Seriously, sometimes I just think "quick, quick, quick" with every step so I can go a little faster. Or "one foot in front of the other" is another one I hear is good. When doing my 10-mile walk/run this past weekend, I thought, "Run when you CAN, walk when you HAVE TO" and surprisingly enough, I kept a pretty steady pace the entire time. I also think that the 3 Bonobo albums that I had playing may have helped with that.
For the past year, I was an avid hot yoga enthusiast. I still enjoy and do hot yoga and regular yoga, but only about once a week. I like both a lot, but in my head, it was a competition with these skinny Loyola 20-year-olds and I wasn't into it. (I went to a CorePower Yoga studio in Uptown, and all the Loyola girls would come down to it.) I know it was in my head and the result of my own insecurities, but at first it was really hard for me. Then, I got to the point where I would walk around and let my fat hang out and not give two shits, but it is hard to be in a class with so many bendy Wendys and not feel intimidated. I go to a "normal" yoga studio now (Namaskar Yoga via Groupon!) and so there's not that many college kids. It's good but isn't hot yoga. (There's a phenomenal instructor, Chrissie there, that I definitely suggest checking out. Her Friday morning (10AM) class stretches me and challenges me in all the right ways.) It's nice not to have different personalities of instructors and NOT the exact same class twice. (That's what CorePowerYoga does. It's like the McDonald's of yoga, but because it was $135/month and around the corner from me, I went 3-4 times/week.) I dropped 25 pounds just from hot yoga. I got SO strong in my core and arms and legs, but I still had a lot of fat all over, so I wanted to trim that through aerobic activity. Henceforth, running.
I ended up picking running because I thought it'd be cheap (ha! shoes, shoe inserts, water belts, workout clothes, races!) and easy (PT, strengthening, breathing, keeping up with a schedule!), but I really liked the peacefulness and solitude and "me time" it gave me. It felt like I was giving time back to myself without anyone else in my head or around me or to make me doubt my capabilities--just me and myself to push myself. And there was something comforting about that.
Yoga brought me part of the way, running a little further, and who knows what will be next. I saw my body change so much in little ways here and there...a little more cut on my triceps (yoga), a little more definition in my calves (yoga and running), smaller ankles (yoga), stronger ankles for when I mis-step in heels and don't fall over (running), and a smaller waist, better posture, and more confidence after hitting goals (yoga and running).
I think the key is to find something you can set a goal in and stay committed. If you hate it, you won't do it. If you like dancing, do Zumba. If you like getting big and seeing definition in your muscles, try weight lifting. If you like dancing-style stuff but Zumba isn't doing it for you, do step aerobics. I don't know. Just find something that gets your butt off the couch and sweating.
That's the other thing. Get used to sweating. Tell yourself it's fat crying. Or that it's proof you're working hard. Or that it's all those EL-BEEs melting away. Whatever. Get used to sweating, having stinky wet clothes that have to dry out overnight, and twice as much laundry as you used to have. Because guess what, you're likely to start wearing half the sizes you used to be. :)
The other big motivator for me was to put my money where my mouth was. I spent $135/month on a yoga membership. You bet your butt I went 4 times a week! I bought shoes and inserts for $150 and PT is $20 a pop. Again, I DEFINITELY wanted to use that money for cheese and beer, but I learned to get addicted to the serenity that working out brought me. Eventually, I gave in and started accepting that I just had to run every few days or I'd get a little anxious.
Once you get into the running portion, make sure you buy some good shoes. I recommend you go to Fleet Feet. Expect to spend $100-150. They'll let you know what shoe you need. And it'll help you stay committed.
The other major thing is that I have major depression. Been on meds off/on for about 14 years. Which totally sucks, but I deal. I used to just cook or eat or drink or fuck my way out of feelings, but I'm now working on talking through them and calming my mind with working out. Don't get me wrong, I still take my pills in the morning AND at night, but I find myself a little less restless and hopeless on days I work out. I tend to look forward to long runs on the weekend instead of wanting to drink the night away and sleep the day away. I actually want to get up early and hit the asphalt.
Dear lord, if 2-years-ago 180-lb bacon-and-eggs-every-motha-fuckin-morning Kerry could hear me now. Oooooooooooo lawd have mercy!
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