So, Running . . . Um, Yeah. {and giveaway}

* * * * comments are now closed for this giveaway * * * *

Learning to Run

As you know, for my Subway Commit to Fit goal, I have committed to running a 5K here in Houston (in January).

In case you have forgotten, I am NOT a runner.

• Proof can be found here: Getting My New Thang Groove On.
• And here (even though I ran in the rain): Committment .
• And here: Finding the Motivation to Keep Going.

But in the effort to informally train, I have been trying to run . . . and it wasn’t very pretty this week.

I only put in five miles of running/walking thanks to horrible side stitches that I started developing during my runs.

SIDE STITCHES — painful, shooting stabs that would hit me with each breath I took.

SIDE STITCHES — something I’d read about but thought were just an “Old Wives’ Tale” kind of thing.

SIDE STITCHES — the mark of a truly amateur runner.

Each time they would begin, I assumed I was receiving a sign from God that it was time to get off the treadmill or head back to the house.

I “assumed” . . . and we all know what assuming gets ya.

Turns out that there are some pretty important things of which one should be aware when running — some VERY important things if you want to avoid painful side stitches.

Form and Breathing.

(silly me had no CLUE you had to pay that much attention to form and breathing)

Fortunately, my Hubby (who ran track in his younger days) went with me on a run last night and helped me see what I was doing wrong, especially in the area of breathing.  WHAT A DIFFERENCE that man made!  With the help of one little tip, (extending my inhales and exhales through 3-4 steps) I was able to s-l-o-w my breathing down and end my Side Stitch misery.

(Oh, and good news – Hubby — you showed your worth and effectively gave me another reason to keep you around)

If you need additional tips as a newbie runner, I definitely recommend you check out Running Rachel’s post, Running Form and Proper Breathing.  After Hubby’s help, I scoured her posts on Running Tips for more help and learned a lot more.

Now, as long as I remember how to breathe, running is proving a little easier — and music is making it a LOT more fun.

Running Music

I uploaded a TON of music from the show, Glee, to my Ipod and I absolutely LOVE running to it.  (yes, I’m a “Gleek” — don’t judge)  I have a problem of running too fast on my own, but using music helps me keep a “slow and steady” approach.

My favorite “running” songs right now?  Don’t Stop Believing and  Telephone.  The Glee versions — as if I needed to say it again.  Both songs have a great, solid rhythm and are just fun.  Plus, I now have all the words memorized and can mouth them all while I run . . . you know, for when I pretend I’m the Rachel in Glee and singing to Finn.

(oops — did I just admit that?)

What About You?  {IPOD Giveaway}

To help out others stay motivated as they work on their Commit to Fit goals, Subway is letting me give a pretty green IPOD Shuffle and a $10 I-Tunes giftcard to one of my readers!

To enter, simply share a favorite workout or running song with me in a comment.  That’s it!

Bonus Entries:

(please leave an additional comment for each bonus entry)

• Like Following In My Shoes on Facebook (1 bonus entry)

• Follow Following In My Shoes via Google Friend Connect (1 bonus entry)

• Follow me on Twitter (1 bonus entry)

• Tweet the following message: I entered to win an IPOD Shuffle to help me commit to a healthier life (thanks to @subwayfreshbuzz). #Commit2fit  http://bit.ly/c3lbnr (1 bonus entry per tweet – Max of 3 tweets per day; please include the link to your tweet in your bonus comments)

• Follow @subwayfreshbuzz on Twitter. (1 bonus entry)

• RSVP to the Mamavation Twitter Party (10/18, 7pm – 9pm CMT) — Subway is an official sponsor of Mamavation (healthy living social media group) and there will be a ton of prizes given out at the party! (3 bonus entries — leave a comment for each bonus entry & please let me know your Twitter handle so I can verify your RSVP)

• Blog about your Commit to Fit Goal/Journey and leave me the link in a comment (5 bonus entries – make sure to leave one comment per bonus entry!)

Giveaway will end at Midnight, Monday, October 18th.  Winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to confirm his/her win.

Disclosure: Subway also provided me with a green (my fav. color!) IPOD Shuffle and an Itunes gift card when I attended the Commit to Fit launch event in NYC.

Click HERE to view the complete list of bloggers participating in the Subway Commit to Fit Challenge — read about their journeys and check out there giveaways.