First The Worst

When I was little, it was very important what order us kids arrived in class. As each person arrived after lunch or recess, it would be announced with relish:
     First the Worst!
     Second the Best!*
     Third the Nerd!
     Fourth the Dork!**
     Fifth the...!

Well, actually after 4th place it got a whole lot less interesting as there was no agreed upon title for anyone arriving after 4th.

Now, most people who have achieved first or seen other people achieve first will hardly think it is the worst position. You won't hear many people complaining, "What's that? You got first place? Isn't that just the worst?" When it comes to goals and awards and personal bests, coming in first is pretty special.

But there are times when it is not so special. There are times when "first the worst" actually holds true. I'm talking about any time you train at a new level. It could be going out for a 15 minute walk after spending six months eating potato chips and cookie dough on the couch. It could be stepping up from a 24k run one week to a 28k run the next week***. Or maybe increasing the weights you're lifting by 10%.
Anyone who has ever stepped out for that first bought of exercise (or "stepped up" from a previous level of exercise) will know that the first time they do it is the worst.

And so while yesterday's run - er 'jog' - was a big challenge for me both mentally and physically, today's run was just that much easier. And I can sigh with relief, because I know first the worst is over for now. And while I still can't necessarily agree with "second the best", at least second is getting better. I may have only had time for a 30 minute jaunt today. But - dare I say it - I'm looking forward to the next run! Because first the worst? It's a thing of the past.

For now.



*Some people argued that it was Second the Golden Weapon, but this never really took off.
**Another version was Fourth the Dwarf. We were not very PC.

Culture Shock

Today marks the first day I ran outside in Calgary. Actually, I went for a run yesterday but it was so cold I lasted less than 10 seconds, so I don't think that really counts.
I piled on the layers and braved the -4C weather. But it was sunny rather than snowing, which made it feel nicer. I wore the gear I reserved for Australia winter running...long, light jacket and long yoga pants. And then I added in a bulky toque and mitts to Canadianize myself. Note to self - I may need more cold weather running gear!

When I last lived in Calgary I was most decidedly NOT a runner. So the only running experience I've really had is in Australia.
Ignoring the weather difference, one thing that really surprised me was the running culture difference. In Brisbane I would make efforts to greet my fellow runners/walkers as we strode past one another. I would say this was met with about a 30-40% chance of having a return greeting, and the occasional deer-in-headlights-are-you-talking-to-me-you-crazy-person look.
Here in Calgary, I would say that 80-90% of my fellow morning exercises offered some combination of a smile, wave, head nod, or friendly greeting as we crossed paths. And no one gave me the deer-in-headlights-are-you-talking-to-me-you-crazy-person look.
I got to a red light at an intersection and stopped to wait...only to have the car stop and wave me ahead of him! Thinking it was some ploy to run me over, I cautiously waved thank you and darted across the street in confusion. Yep, the driver was definitely wanting to forego his green light to make sure that my run wasn't interrupted. Weeeeeeiiiirrrrd. And also kinda wonderful.

I decided to keep my first run short and sweet, aiming for between 30-60min. At the 5min mark I realized I was bored. I missed my social runs!
At the 10min mark I realized something else: I was really, really unfit. I may have the mentality of a runner, but I have the fitness of...dare I admit it?... a jogger.
I turned around just over 15min into the run and I jogged home.
But on the way back a small miracle happened! I crossed paths with a friendly running group. As I saw them, I felt my shoulders lift, my foot turnover increase, and my heart rate pick up in hope. I joined in with them and fired them with questions. Where are you from? What group are you with? When and where do you meet? Can anyone join? What sort of distances/paces do you do?
They happily filled me in on all the details. Helllloooooo, running group! The ice has [sort of] melted, the days are [getting] longer, and I can layer up against the cold. It's time to reunite myself with the social joy of running.