Exercise Goals....

Last October when I ran my first 5K, I never thought I'd like to be a runner.  I didn't think I remembered how to run!  Two weeks before the 5K, I went to the school across the street, with my daughter (the jock), and ran. Both feet up at the same time...slowly running...but running just the same.

Then it came back to me....like an out of body experience! 

I was a small child, 2nd or 3rd grade, running down the grassy hill in our Maryland backyard. I was flying. I KNEW I WAS FLYING. My arms were out, I was sailing down the hills, and I thought I was flying for sure.

Now that I have began the second half of my life, running down the hill on Halloween 2009, after walking all the way up it, I was flying again.

Been hooked ever since.  For me, it isn't about losing the weight, my other activities help with that. It isn't about fear of regain...logging my food keeps me accountable and honest.  FOR ME, IT IS ABOUT BEING FREE TO FLY.

I think most people who lose weight have absolutely no interest in running races.  The thing is that when most runners realize they've become runners, they think about doing a race.  That's not the reason they start running in the first place.  

I think I'm a little unusual in that one of the reasons I wanted to lose weight was so that I could do some of these events.  I've always wanted to do an ironman, and one day I will.  It's just that simple for me.  I don't think of most events I do as races, either.  They, in my mind, are just events.  I'd like to do my best, but it's only a race (to me) if I have a chance of winning. 

My exercise goals, though, are different depending on my interest at the time.  When I'm not signed up for anything in particular, the goal is to run longer or faster - just because that makes me more fit.  Training goals and training plans ARE for an end result.  Different mindset.  It just helps me to maintain my fitness level if I have something I'm moving toward.  I don't need it, but it's an added little push.

Linn

I started running so I could do a triathlon. It was something I always wanted to do but never seriously considered before.

I think that's weird everyone is asking you if you are going to do a 5k now. Most people who lose weight don't take up running. I had people saying things like "You're going to look so good in a swim suit" *** not really) and "now you'll be able to wear horizontal stripes!" (now THAT'S a weird on, imo) so maybe what people are really saying is "now you can do the thing that I really want to do" and it just happens you know a lot of people who want to do a 5k.

I agree with Scott.  Running is the opposite of sitting and doing nothing.  Races just give me a reason to keep getting out the door.

It does annoy me when they do the marathons on the Biggest Loser.  It gives the impression that it is an easy thing to do and I think that they are mostly undertrained when they do them. 

As a competitive person, races give me something to satisfy that need to compete.  Even though I sneak into the top quarter of most 5K's I run, it's not about the other people in the race.  It is about me and my times.  My brother used to run a local 10K in my home town.  Every year, I made a goal to run it and every year I would train for two weeks and quit.  One weekend about 6 months after my surgery, I went to visit my mother and saw that that race was the next day and they had a 5K also.  I had been running on a TM and was up to 3 miles.   Completing that race was a no brainer and when I finished I could not believe the feeling.  A month later I ran a half and 5 months after that a full.  I don't know if addection is the right word but I get antsy if I go too long without a race.

Just out of curiosity, what are your exercise goals?

Thanks for all of the responses.  It kind of was set off by someone asking me if I was going to run a race at the gym.  Running isn't enjoyable to me.  Now beating the crap out of the bag/opponent is.  I am focusing on gaining muscle and strength.  And oh boy let me tell you, it really is fun.  I didn't realize I had muscles in those places :).

I'm proud of everyone for having goals.  I hope my message wasn't rude.  It really was just to say that a lot of people have asked me if I was going to run a race.  They assume and you know what they say about assuming! :)

 one of the reason I really like the actual races is that they are on predefined, planned and marked routes generally without any worry about car traffic.  I can just run and take it all in.  There is a certain surreal peacefulness I get when running, and it seems to be amplified in formal races where I don't have to worry about cars coming or where I am going, not to mention if you want to hear the folks cheering it helps pump up a bit.  It was strange this last week running in my first half in Queens of all places, with 4000 other folks, even with pain in the leg, I had this strange sense of calm at times.  Maybe I am just weird :)  (ok, so it's not really maybe...)

I do it to
a) prove a point. That change is possible
b) to keep me motivated to work towards a goal. I have a really hard time running just to be running.
c) to show my feet who's boss! These are the same two feet who used to swell and wouldn't carry me through the grocery store -- baby, watch 'em run!

My hubby feels the way you do. but I don't run the events to actual race anyone..except myself. I like to beat my own time...

I need a goal other than watching the scale move - some weeks that seems like watching paint dry.  Sometimes, even when I eat exactly right and have a huge calorie deficit, that scale seems to be broken and it feels like I'm getting nowhere (been at 200.00 or 200.2 now for 4 days - screaming at scales at 6:00 a..m. not pretty site).  But, I'm doing the C25K with a goal of 5k on July 3, and that's something I can completely control.  Either I do it or not.  I don't have to wait on the "weight" gods to reinforce my effort.  My progress is clear when I complete each new day of training. That's why I'm training and want to run a race - it's a distraction!!!!!

Anne

I am like you, I have no desire to run as a part of weight lost goal.  I am very happy to be motivate to exercise at all in that I used to detest exercise and sweating.  Now I don't feel right if I don't do a minimum of my 2 mile walk daily with Leslie Sansone and usually follow it up with something else that day.  I am trying to start working out with weights and I know I have to be more consistent with that.  For some crazy reason I want to learn how the art of fencing; I have always thought it was a cool sport that looked competitive, graceful and strong so when I get more comfortable with my weight loss and speed I will find out more about it as far as training, facilities and cost goes.  Wish me luck.  

I wish I was fit enough to run! I just keep walking! Maybe someday I will be running right beside you runners!