Running is about your lungs not your legs!

I used to be an avid runner. 🏃 So when three kids and life happened it didn't take long for running to become a chore. Running became hard for me as I was not in the shape I used to be in and I couldn't stop comparing my new momself of 3 to my oldself of 25.

As I was recently studying to get re-certified as a personal trainer the topic of VO2 (Oxygen consumption) came up and I realized how important it really is and how much I needed to improve mine. 

There are 3 main components of fitness: strength, flexibility and cardiovascular health. As I am not getting any younger I found myself very intrigued in a new way and decided I really wanted to focus on my VO2Max which is The best rate at which you consume and utilize oxygen during exercise.

Starting in January I decided to use running as a way to increase my oxygen. I used the 12 Min Cooper Run Test to see where I was. My first score was 56 and that was not very good. Especially for someone who was working out consistently. This eye opening moment showed me that while I was working on my strength and even flexibility, I wasn't in the best cardio health I could be.  So while I was strong at that point I was not in great cardio health and that was not ok!

I decided my first goal would be to get to the point where I could run 1 mile well. My only goal each time I ran was to go a little further and a little faster than the last time. This allowed me to grow at the rate of my body and not at the rate of the pressure I was putting on myself in the previous months when I was trying to keep up with the old me. Before I knew it, I had increased from running 1 mile to 1.5 and so on. This shift of focus mentally allowed me to see running for a different purpose and that has helped me enjoy it! I took the pressure off of having to run a certain distance or speed by a certain time. Slowing down the process is what I needed. I didn't need my own mental pressures I needed to renew my mindset. 

Now today I ran 3 miles and it felt good. It felt like a challenge I could overcome! It hasn't been a quick process, it has taken me about 3 1/2 months but its been productive! Running has become enjoyable again and while I am running I am not struggling to breathe...which makes me realize running is more about your lungs than about your legs!