So I finally have an outfit for running…
February 26, 2013, 12:17 AM
At last, I have an outfit to go running in. Check it out:
So there you have it, I suppose. For around half the cost of a pair of compression tights at Sports Authority, I am outfitted. I got this snazzy pair of jogging tights at TJ Maxx for $15, and then I got the wicking shirt at Target for $20. Not bad, if you ask me. And, it all holds my stomach in place quite well.
And yes, I will wear shoes when I actually use this outfit for exercising. I was trying it on for the camera at home in this case, and so, yeah, I didn’t bother to put on shoes for the photo.
Meanwhile, I’m not entirely sure what I’m supposed to call the activity that I’m planning to do on weekends (in addition to my swimming regimen). Do I call it running? Or is it jogging? What is the difference between the two? Does jogging turn into running? Where is the boundary? According to fitsugar.com, a nine-minute mile is the difference between jogging and running. And you know, I might be able to pull that off. Who knows.
Now, of course, I’ve got to figure out how to get started. First of all, I think it’s still too cold right now to do some outdoor jogging. No treadmills for me – I hate the blasted things. I am going outside for this. The real question is, how long is too long when I’m starting out? I’ve only gone running once before, but it had potential, though I was paying for that run for a while afterward, and that was less than a mile. I don’t want to overdo it, but I don’t want to waste my time, either. I did that September run back from my haircut as a run/walk. I started out sprinting, and then I switched to a walk until I caught my breath. Lather, rinse, repeat. Not a bad time, though. I think I went through about three run/walk cycles to get home.
As far as routes go, I have a pretty good jogging course right near me. The Matthew Henson Trail is right across the street from me and parallels my street for some distance. I looked up the distances, and to leave my house, get on the Matthew Henson Trail at one end of my street, go to the end of my street via the Matthew Henson Trail, and then go back home on my street is 1.7 miles, and I could do it (mostly) continuously without having to stop for traffic. I worry that this may be too much to do at once, though, but it’s definitely something to work my way up to. What I want to eventually be able to do is go the length of the Matthew Henson Trail or similar length. A similar length would take me from Georgia Avenue to Twinbrook station. For that I would take the Matthew Henson Trail from Georgia Avenue, go through a neighborhood, west on Randolph Road, and then up past the Rockville Target and around to the west side of Twinbrook Metro. That’s a little less than 4.25 miles. Then from there, my reward: a Red Line ride from the Shady Grove side, which I don’t usually do (since I can reach everything there more easily by car). And yes, the two branches of the Red Line are only about four miles apart.
So that’s the plan. I have goals. I have ambition. Come some unseasonably warm day, or once it gets warm out, I’m doing to start jogging. I am digging this. And if you jog, please leave a comment with some pointers! My coworkers have given some pointers, mainly related to the impact level of jogging vs. swimming, but any other tips would also be greatly appreciated. Any pointers on a jogging fanny pack? iPod holder?
Categories: Clothing, Recreation/Exercise