I’ve been running for about a year now but–strange as it may seem–I just learned more about running over the last couple of weeks than the months before that combined.

I never read up on what to do or to expect on running.  I just RAN.  I mean, what’s the worst could happen?

And then it happened: I started developing a stabbing pain on my left knee after just a mile run. It’s been better now since I actually started reading on proper running.  In a nutshell, here are a few things I was doing wrong:

• I’ve been running on the same pair of shoes for about 6 months.  You should rotate on at least two pairs of shoes; the shock-absorbing qualities of your running shoes lessens its effectiveness if it doesn’t “rest.”
• You have to consider your “pronation.”
• Nike apparently doesn’t make the best running shoes.  After a considerable amount of research, I bought a pair of Mizuno Wave Rider 12 and Asics Nimbus 11.
• Stretching before and after running is important. No joke.  Go ahead, make fun of me here.  I always thought stretching is for old people.

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I finished my first 5K today! 132nd place overall, 14th (out of 16…LAYM) in my category (30-39 year-old male). Man, that was one hilly course! At the first half mile I thought I was going to pass out.

The FNA5K was a mess. The people directing the traffic did a poor job; A lot us went off course for about half a mile, some ended up running 4K. So most of those people who clocked less than 20 minutes most likely did a 4K…which, to me, was OK…but the thing is my time would have been much better had I not run off-course.

But I’m definitely hooked, nonetheless. I look forward to my next 5K. Hey, maybe even the NY Marathon in a few years.

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Two rounds on my block this time…1.4 miles straight.

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This Saturday (Sept 26) is my first 5K, and I’m excited and nervous about it at the same time.

I’m pretty sure that I’ll be able to finish the course, but I’m not entirely sure about what to expect. I run everyday alright…but on a treadmill.

An hour ago, I tried running outside for a change in our neighborhood before dinner: just one trip around our block, about 0.7 mile (yeah, I know…LAYM).

I remember trying this about two years ago and I almost passed out on the first tenth of a mile.

Surprisingly, I was able to go around the block without stopping to catch breath, averaging about 6.6 mph…I did not push myself too much to avoid risk of hurting my knees (I’m not exactly a teenager, ya know).

Can I do less than 30 minutes on Saturday? We’ll see…

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