If I had any doubts as to the efficacy of Kung Fu lessons for endurance training...

[the_vulture]

... they have been fully and utterly dispelled. Tonight, despite being the heaviest I've been in about five years and not having done any serious run training for several months, I just completed a 2 hour run that covered over 7.4 miles, nonstop.

Yes, that's right boys and girls, for the first time in over three years,
I am once again, 10K Race-fracking-READY!!! 

AAAAWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I'd like to thank the following people for their inspiration:

haikujaguar  who has shared so many insights about her physical training, as well as some kicking running music. (Apoptgyma Berzerk's Kathy's Song provided a well-needed adrenaline burst, thank you!)

lupabitch  who has shown amazing fortitude getting back on the running track, in spite of setbacks such as being hospitalized for gastronomical issues. (You're Alpha in my books!)

And especially 1girlrevolution : she's tired, she trains; it's raining, she trains; it's 30 degrees below frackin' ZERO Centigrade, she trains; her foot's damn near FALLING OFF, she trains. And she pushes me to train, too. (You ROCK, little sister!)

Edit: I also owe a major thanks to my current sifu and the other members of my Kung Fu class, who got me through all that amazing conditioning in the first place.


PS: There were fireflies all along the marsh trail. Hee!

Comments

[lupabitch.livejournal.com]

HUGE AWESOMENESS!!!! I hope your racing days are many and full of excellent running!

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

I hope so, too! I don't expect to place well in any of 'em: stubby legs. I'm just in it for the t-shirts. :p

I'm just really pleased that all that work in Kung Fu translated so readily to my running condition. I knew I had to be improving my aerobic conditioning, as well as all the anaerobic, I just didn't know how much until know. Actually, aerobic wasn't even my limitation, it was how much my legs had in 'em, and that was pretty substantial, too. Yay me! I can kick ass AND run very far away! XD

[1grl-revolution.livejournal.com]

Awww. *blushes* Shucks. :) You just made my night. Thanks brother! *big squishy hugs*

Congratulations on such a great run! One day we'll run a race together! *nods* (If my damn foot ever heals...)

*more hugs*

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

Hee! I'm sure we'll actually get to do that. You ARE visiting this summer, RIGHT? :p

[1grl-revolution.livejournal.com]

Sadly, no... not this year. :( I couldn't get the time off work.

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

That sucks. *pout*

[itsjustc.livejournal.com]

7.4 miles! I'm very, very impressed! When's your first race?

I used to put up with long distance running because we had to do it - mostly in the snows of winter! My thought was 'the quicker I got it done the more time I could sit in the warmth of the classroom waiting for everyone else to finish'. This attitude led to me being the best long distance female runner in the school of 1800 pupils! Unfortunately this then meant that I had to run for an inter school run which was in the summer and out of school hour and I really didn't enjoy it. I thought 'the quicker I get to the end the quicker this will be over' again I came in 1st female (2nd place)! I look back now with fondness when I think of what I was achieving and never ever realised how good I was at running - it was always a chore. (I was in an athletics club and was more interested and in training for the high jump and the 100 yard hurdles!)

I'd now love to take up running but everyone else says they think it will be too painful for me as I have mild arthritis in my hips and spine. I'm starting to get quite painful when I walk more than about 6 miles now.

I know when I last cycled I was surprised at how far I went and had no pain. It was flatish ground and where I live is very hilly but I think with a mountain bike and good gears I'd give it a go.