YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Running

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Running https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:58:56 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Bijou on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-2001980 Wed, 13 Feb 2019 11:30:11 +0000 Bijou 2001980@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Congratulations - you are indeed a runner. Thank you for the further comments about love, commitment and passion. It is so energising to find something that gives you drive and enthusiasm and joy is evident. I have now reached a point in my life that I only want to do things that I love - my family, my spirituality, my career, my exercise, my friends.... That does not mean that it is effortless, but it does mean that I feel like I am living life to the full. Anonymous on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-2001654 Tue, 12 Feb 2019 17:23:36 +0000 Anonymous 2001654@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Between you and Toban, you've created a monster I decided to do a sprint triathlon, and though the bike and swim bits will be easy, and I do a lot of other fitness things, the running worries me. So-will try a couch to 5k! jill58 on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-2000238 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 19:10:51 +0000 jill58 2000238@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Kari, I've been running for about 25 years and the one thing I want to say is you're doing everything right. You want to start "slower than slow" and work on covering distance that way before you think about picking up the pace--just work on extending periods of running now matter how slow it feels. Running clicked for me in my thirties and at 60 I'm still running! Honestly what's kept me going are the endorphins. There is just nothing that makes me feel better. I've run is lots of races and I too am hoping to do a 1/2 marathon in April. The only real injuries I had were very early on, so yes, just pay attention to your body. Your attitude for this is perfect. Just as you said, run for the joy of it--not every run will be great. There are some days when I just slog through it. Other days feel great, almost effortless. It makes me so happy to hear about your experience so far--you're approaching it in just the right way. RobinF on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-2000079 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 13:29:17 +0000 RobinF 2000079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good for you! I have tried running several times, did the couch 2 5k thing and other things but it just never clicked for me. I totally admire those who can do it. Toban on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-2000041 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 11:14:44 +0000 Toban 2000041@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love this! What a healthy mindset you’re bringing to this and how great to have a goal race to help with focus and mental grit. If you have a local trail running club, give it a go. Trails are much easier on the body. Many people walk the hills or use run/walk intervals. And the pace varies widely. One of my fav club members hikes rather than runs and is consistently out there. Also, read Mirna Valerio’s book A Beautiful Work In Progress — she is my inspiration and running hero. Suz on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-1999792 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 16:56:21 +0000 Suz 1999792@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Kari, this makes me so happy. Your beautiful photos say it all -- they transmit the joy you feel and the renewed energy and commitment. I completely agree with everything you've said. Identity is key -- "I am a runner," (or whatever) and then putting ourselves into those shoes and doing what that person would do.  Anonymous on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-1999743 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 15:15:13 +0000 Anonymous 1999743@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Brilliant post.  I'm so glad you took the time to share it with us.   Jules on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-1999717 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 14:33:44 +0000 Jules 1999717@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love this and good for you It's helpful to me as well as I look back on a year of fitness that started in earnest last January. I have been feeling a bit frustrated because I always assumed weight loss (or at least muscle gain that changes my shape, I don't care about the numbers on the scale) would naturally follow from getting fitter and eating the way I need to when I'm exercising a lot (more protein etc). But I've actually gained back the weight I lost in the first few months, whether due to medication, inconsistency, diet or age... who knows. I also know that I wasn't consistent with my routine throughout the year and didn't do what I planned for last month. BUT... if I look at the past year as a whole, I have gone from being a sedentary person to a person who does consistently exercise. I am mentally much healthier, which was my main motivation for joining the gym. I am trying two new things this month because I feel more confident - hot yoga and ice skating. Physically, I am definitely stronger in the core - and even my arms are not flapping in quite the same way. My kids now see me as an active person and are inspired to join in. These are the things that are truly important to me (ok maybe not the arms, lol) and if I want to lose weight, I know how to do that too... and I have a much better foundation for it than I did a year ago. It just doesn't matter that I was the biggest person in hot yoga yesterday - although I will say that Planet Fitness' no-mirror set up has been helpful, I recommend it to anyone who gets distracted by their appearance when working out. Phew, just writing that out was super helpful Thanks Kari Staysfit on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-1999691 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 12:52:13 +0000 Staysfit 1999691@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hooray Kari! I try to maintain a similar thought process. I fractured my femur while training for the Boston Marathon in 2010. Since then my actual running days have been few and far between for a lot of complicated reasons that I will not get into, but I still consider myself to be a runner, and I still get up and run a bit, even if it’s slow and for a short distance At the lowest point of my recovery, my running coach told me that even if I run for ten minutes a few days a week, it counts! Jane on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-1999659 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 07:14:22 +0000 Jane 1999659@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is such a fabulous post, so informative and a joy to read! Lucy is a great running mate! Your comments about mental resilience resonated with me and my experiences. I wish you well and hope you continue to enjoy your running. Your journey is inspiring! Kari on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-1999649 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 05:27:28 +0000 Kari 1999649@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I also recently read this quote by PNB dancer Emma Love Suddarth about the act of loving something that demands effort from us, that isn’t always easy. I thought a lot about practicing running and gradually learning to love it (despite not always loving each run, each mile.) “Yes, love as an initial happening—i.e. “love at first sight”—may come about without direct intent. However, love in a deeper sense, as a continuous, ongoing force, is a decision. It requires participation. Think about anything you’ve ever loved. Pets? It might be hard to love them when they’re chewing up your favorite shoes or shredding your expensive new rug. But you choose to continue to. Ballet—or any other passion? It might be hard on those days when you just want to give up because you can’t execute a single step correctly. But you choose not to. A significant other? It might be hard when he or she makes you more frustrated than ever. But when you love that person in the fullest sense of the word—in a way that requires you as an active member—you continue to. “Along with the decision to continue something, comes the effort to maintain it. Relationships require work; passions require work; love requires work. For love to have moments of effortlessness, effort must be put in. Oxymoron much? One tangible metaphor to illustrate this idea is in ballet itself. As a dancer, think about the most special moments you’ve had on stage. I’ll speak candidly from a personal experience as the Siren in George Balanchine’s Prodigal Son. In one of the more iconic moments, slowly rising from seated atop the head of my coworker Matt—the son—to standing against the front of his shins, my feet not even touching the floor, I felt love; love of the character, love of the story, love of the music, love of ballet. That love felt effortless. However, thinking back on the process, the love wasn’t always natural. There was the constant pain of a golf ball-sized blister encompassing my entire heel. There were the numerous tears from rehearsals that felt like flops. There was the sheer exhaustion from hours and weeks of intense repetition. There was a continuous trail of blood, sweat, and tears that led to that point. When people say, “love is not easy,” I believe this is what they mean. More often than not, some of our most cherished moments experience a similar journey. That’s what makes them worth it. That’s what makes them precious.” <a href="https://www.facebook.com/21358443951/posts/10156459035143952/" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/21358.....035143952/</a> Kari on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-1999647 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 05:25:34 +0000 Kari 1999647@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you! It’s been so interesting dealing with the psychology around running. I’ve done it before and hated it, and I think it was because I was running in order to do something else - as an imposed or imaginary punishment, an assigned task in a class (which I’d fail as I was too slow), or to achieve weight loss. That created so much negative baggage around running. This time around, I wanted to see if I could learn to like it, and within a few months I did. I can also separate the feeling of “I hate running right at this exact moment where it feels awful, my body is like a rock, I’m slow as a snail” from how I feel about running as an activity, a discipline. (Separating out to avoid too long a comment...) Sal on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-1999635 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 04:01:06 +0000 Sal 1999635@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What a great post...and you have the best winter running wardrobe I have seen!! I love your attitude and particularly relate to this I started to see progress in running for a small interval of time becoming easier and started to change my mindset, also tuning around unhelpful sources of information around needing to reach a certain speed or having to transform my body. Those are not motivating goals to me and they don’t help me, so I focus on getting out there, finding things that make running joyful (music, podcasts or audiobooks, taking photos, discovering new fun routes, feeling like my city is even more accessible when I can reach places by foot that I’d only driven to before.) This also works for me - being married to one extremely competitive person who loves the times, distances part of running, getting my head around this is important. Carla on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-1999630 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 03:36:12 +0000 Carla 1999630@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am so excited for you, Kari! Keep picking beautiful places to run. You might want to join a group that does a long run/walk on weekends to provide support when upping your distance. They are very encouraging for first timers and experienced runners alike as well as geared to a variety of paces. Style Fan on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-1999627 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 02:50:41 +0000 Style Fan 1999627@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I loved reading your post, Kari.  All the best on your journey.  I use to run and I enjoyed it.  I didn't compete and I was probably the slowest runner on the planet.  For me running was a great way to relieve stress and be outside.  Unfortunately, my feet are not able to tolerate running anymore.  I try to walk now.    Joyce B on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-1999625 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 02:46:28 +0000 Joyce B 1999625@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good job, Kari! Your attitude is the best and is also a motivating example. Lucy looks very happy to join you. All the best for your half Marathon, please keep us posted. Classically Casual on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-1999623 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 02:36:05 +0000 Classically Casual 1999623@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Congratulations, Kari! Back in the day when I was a runner,I remember it was an easy way to meet new people and make friends. Lots of good memories about that, and all the fun running events. Over a period of 5 years or so, I mastered a VERY slow jog in the ‘hood lasting all of 10 minutes...it was excruciating. Eventually I ran the Honolulu marathon, and then hung up my running shoes, as training was too time consuming. I remember how satisfying it was to keep accomplishing new to me physical feats. It was very confidence boosting. Enjoy the journey! cjh on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-1999620 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 02:07:48 +0000 cjh 1999620@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Congrats on the new activity and attitude! Now that you are a runner, you should plan on Always Being a Runner. I started running at age 49. It took me awhile to consider myself a runner, too. I've had a few injuries requiring layoffs, too many bad runs to count, but all balanced out by fabulous runs, better physical and mental health, great friendships and satisfying self image. Now, several - okay, many - years later, I don't plan to ever stop.  Good luck on your half training and the race! Angie on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-1999614 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 01:41:52 +0000 Angie 1999614@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I echo the ladies. What a GREAT post Kari, and Lucy is FABULOUS. You both look super cute. Congrats on changing your mindset. That's powerful. The key - (for me) - to moving and being active regularly is doing something I ENJOY. Then it doesn't feel like a chore, but a part of daily fun life that creates endorphins.  Anonymous on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-1999605 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 01:28:59 +0000 Anonymous 1999605@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you for such an interesting and positive piece, great description of the progression of a sort of enlightenment.  Love the supporting photos and your dog is just the best, a real trooper. Anonymous on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-1999600 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 01:20:24 +0000 Anonymous 1999600@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love your pictures and your attitude towards running, and congrats on future you completing the half marathon Anonymous on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-1999577 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 00:45:59 +0000 Anonymous 1999577@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow Kari - I love what you’ve written , and only wish I could have copied your ideas back when I was a runner of sorts . I can’t do it anymore - knees can’t take it - but I sure do miss it . You know , I never stopped to consider how reframing the running experience could help me , but I’m going to use your ideas now in my regular workouts . Thanks for this . Kari on "Running" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/running#post-1999572 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 00:30:13 +0000 Kari 1999572@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I thought I’d share a bit about what I’ve been up to and what I’m aiming to do in the future. I LOVE to walk. Most days I have been walking either alone or with my dog- choosing a pretty place to go, listening to a podcast or audiobook that I could only listen to when I was walking. It became my treat. In early 2018, I joined a couple web-based running (inclusive of walkers) communities and did some fun, hard competitions where all that mattered was that I move, no matter how slowly. This past summer, I wanted to try running again. I had some periods where my body wasn’t having it and that was ok. I backed off and went back to walking. I then did a modified C25k program where I repeated weeks and bumped up the running intervals very slowly and did NOT ever progress to the point of full out running. That doesn’t work for me at all - I get hurt too easily. I only ran 3 days per week, and found that I looked forward to those days. I gave myself permission to walk when needed. The goal was simply to be out there moving for a certain length of time, no matter how fast I was. Somewhere along the line something clicked. I started to see progress in running for a small interval of time becoming easier and started to change my mindset, also tuning around unhelpful sources of information around needing to reach a certain speed or having to transform my body. Those are not motivating goals to me and they don’t help me, so I focus on getting out there, finding things that make running joyful (music, podcasts or audiobooks, taking photos, discovering new fun routes, feeling like my city is even more accessible when I can reach places by foot that I’d only driven to before.) Several running friends/community members encouraged me to consider myself a runner even if I didn’t think I was due to my lack of skill/experience. I thought about it and decided to practice that mindset. Okay, so I’m going to be a runner. What would a runner do? They would choose days to go out and run - okay, let’s try that. They might register for some fun events. They would take care of their body to prevent or recover from strains and injuries. I found that running with this mindset helped me develop some discipline that was based around how I could run in a healthy way, rather than feeling shame for not running enough or quickly enough, or the harmful school PE mentality of running for punishment or failing because I hadn’t hit a fast enough pace. A few months ago I decided to sign up for a half marathon, my first. I’m working toward that goal now. Lately, I’ve had some seriously shitty running days where my body doesn’t want to move, even hitting my SLOWEST timed 5k pace. I’m finding joy in that too because I trust my body to get through those awful runs and still be able to move, even if I feel like I’m more a snail than a turtle. I use my interval timer hard during those runs, setting my run to 2 or 3 minutes at a time, as I KNOW I can keep going for 2 minutes. I might have miles during a half that feel like that too - there are 13 of them! I hope I can harness this mindset and know that I can get through the parts that feel awful. There is some mental resilience building up that I’ve never had before with physical activities that don’t come easily.