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On Learning to Run and the Lessons in Between

Writer's picture: Sarah SpringSarah Spring
Running in Clarens
Running in Clarens

Last year saw a change of season for our family which meant I had the time and capacity to think about regularly exercising. With my children sleeping through most nights I began to wonder how I could get my mornings off to a good start. I chose to pursue running because it was simple, inexpensive and a good way to enjoy my neighborhood. I found a simple training program, took a screen shot, and was off. My journey from 0km to 5km has been marked by physical milestones in such a way that I couldn’t help but think about the rest of my life through this lens, so almost a year on, here are some takeaways:


1.      Rest first. – I only started this once I was regularly sleeping through the night. The effort that was needed to care for the children who interrupted my sleep was a big enough use of my energies, so most days the extra sleep was a better use of the hour in the morning.


2.      Getting stronger doesn’t feel like it. – This has been a big one. When you try something new, you begin by exposing your ineptitude in this area. On day 0 I decided I should pursue fitness. On day 1 I realized just how unfit I really was; it was difficult and discouraging.

So while on day 1 I ran further than I had in a long time, I felt more awful than I had for a long time too.


3.      You have to be prepared to be bad at something before you can get good. – And in my case, you have to be prepared to be seen running a short distance and then stopping to walk because you can’t make it any further and thereby expose your weakness in the company of those who are strong.


4.      You will get stronger. – One day you will find that what was once impossible is now comfortable, and that will be a lovely day.


5.      I run like a girl. – Hormones make a difference. I can’t say I’ve worked out a perfect schedule, I just know that as my hormones cycle changes through the month so do my energies and capabilities – I am not always as weak as I am on my worst day, and I cannot expect my best days to be my new normal. I adjust my efforts accordingly, and walking instead of running on difficult days has made me feel refreshed rather than weak.


6.      Life is full of interruptions. – Goals need be flexible. As soon as you try to so something consistently it highlights how inconsistent life is. Whether illness, a traveling spouse, a late night, a friend in need, your program will be interrupted. Anticipating this will help you not to feel too derailed when it happens.


7.      Trail races are a great place to use your fitness. – There’s little else to say here but that!


8.      Joburg really does have phenomenal weather. – Of all the reasons I couldn’t run on the day I planned to, it was hardly ever to blame on rain or wind.


9.      Feet are amazing. – In an unplanned sequence of events when I started this journey I started it in barefoot shoes. Doing a little research into shoes and feet and running has given me a lot to think about!


10.   Reading enriches everything. – During this time I read Running with Sherman which was a total delight and a gave me the opportunity to link my fitness journey to other areas of my life.


And there you have it! Even now I rarely get in my perfect week of 3 runs, but I'm still going for it and enjoying all the benefits that come along with it. Here's the program I used if you are interested, and a photo following my first race (one day I'll write a post about getting lost on my first ever trail race!). I think all in all I managed to complete this program in 12 weeks not 6, see point 6!


Sarah Spring
Couch to 5K

xx Sarah

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2 Comments


Sarah Spring
Sarah Spring
Apr 22, 2024
•

Thank you for your feedback Taryn! I am so glad 😊

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Taryn Robb
Taryn Robb
Apr 20, 2024
•

Sarah! Thank you for this! You have a soothing "voice" to your message and I'm encouraged and inspired after reading your post!

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