Maybe I'm a runner now?

Over the course of the last few weeks, I have gone from not being able to run a quarter of a mile without being winded to being able to run a steady mile without stopping. My goal is still to be able to run a 5k (3.1 miles) without stopping, but I'm closer than I was before. More then learning the skill of running, I have been surprised at the amount of resources and  support I have received from my digital learning community. 

Here are a couple of the amazing things I have learned from my digital community: 

• I have found multiple playlists to use while running. 
• From "checking in" on different trail and running paths, I have had digital friends reach out to me to make me aware of other great paths. 
  
• The running app that I'm using has helped me to keep track of and calculate my average mile time. This help me to push harder to break the previous record. 

I think by sharing my journey on this blog it has helped me to open my eyes to how beneficial our digital resources are. This has definitely helped to change my digital identity because I was more private before starting this journey. Now, I feel more confident about sharing my struggles so I can learn from others.

Reaching out

This week I decided I needed running friends to help motivate me. As mentioned before, I have many friends and co-workers that run in marathons and 5ks. I very been sharing my progress with them and they have given me insider tips. For example: Invest in an armband or waistband to keep my phone and/or keys in, listen to upbeat music, stretch BEFORE and AFTER, and drink a lot of water. Discussing helpful tips with my avid runner friends motivates me to continue practicing. Each of them has shared frustrating stories with me which makes me feel more normal and like I'll be able to do this. Since, I have face to face interactions and online resources, I feel more overpowered as a runner. I do not feel like I'm depending on someone or like I have to use 100% of the advice I'm given. Instead I try different things and see what works for me.

On the flip side, I also have some friends that would like to learn the skill of running; however, like I was, they do not know where to start. This week I asked one of my friends if she wanted to walk/run with me. Walk/run intervals (I learned from my running app "Couch to 5k") are important to do when starting off as a runner because it helps to build your endurance which helps you run for longer distances and time (according to the About Heath website). Jen agreed to trying out walk/run intervals with me, so we set up a time and place to meet and completed 4 miles! I was proud of both of us because it was the middle of the afternoon and hot. Plus, we only were supposed to do 2 miles but completed double that! Side note: I decided that intervals are a good strategy for me because I feel accomplished and don't get as winded because I take breaks. Running or walk/running with someone who isn't a runner is new for me because we both have the same goal. I do a little more research than she does about running, but we are definitely both equals when start hit the trail. 

It feels good to have people to reach out to and discuss different things that work and things that don't. It makes me feel more like I am starting to belonging in the running world. 

Week 1 as a RUNNER!

This week was the best week for me to start my learning challenge for two reasons: 1) I'm on spring break and have more time to devote to exercise, and 2) the weather has been AMAZING, so I wanted to spend as much time outside as possible. This week I followed the first week of the calendar to a tee. I also bought myself a new pair of running shoes which was a tip on many of the websites I used as a resource. Early in the week I noticed something that  frustrated me although I  suspected it would happen... I was bored while running after a short period of time. Therefore, I looked up a couple tips in order to not get bored while running. After my first run/walk session, I decided that it was important for me to create a "running" playlist. This way I would stay motivated and focused while running. Another tip that I decided was important was to change my running routes and surfaces. The first two days I ran on a dirt trail behind my house. The next two days I ran at the gym on a treadmill because I also read that it was important to do core exercises as well. For the rest of the week I was creative with my routes; I planned them outdoors because it gave me more to be inspired by. 

I was pleasantly surprised as the week progressed that I my endurance when up, and I was able to run further distances without getting winded. I also noticed a change in my mood and energy level throughout the day. Even though I was frustrated earlier in the week, I feel I have a better understanding of what I need to do in order to stay motivated. 

25 Hour Learning Challenge

The new skill I would like to learn is the skill of running. Since I was young, I have been involved in many different sports. At 6 years old, I played soccer until I was 14. I started playing softball at 8 and played for about 5 years. When I was 10, I started playing basketball and played until I was 16 in high school. I know what you're thinking, With all of those years playing sports, you should be a runner already. Well, I agree; however, in each of those sports I played the positions that required the least amount of running possible (goalie, center, and pitcher... or maybe it was just me). Therefore, for this learning challenge, I would like to practice the skill of running. 

My goal for learning the skill of running is to be able to run a 5K. When I can run a WHOLE 5K without stopping, I will know that I've achieved my goal. Luckily for me, I know many runners. Many of my co-workers are marathon runners, and a couple of my close friends participate in 5Ks and 10Ks monthly. I have also found multiple websites dedicated to supporting novice runners. One in particular, has a calendar which provides runners with a calendar and running schedule. To use this effectively, you work backwards from the date of the 5K. Because of this, I felt called to register for my first 5K which is on May 2, 2015 in Long Beach, California. I'm pretty excited about my new skill.

Reflecting on learning experiences

Way back when....

When I think back to my 15th birthday, I can clearly remember my dad deciding that I needed to start learning how to drive. My dad had restored a '67 Volkswagen Bug since as early as I can remember. I remember being so embarrassed driving around with my dad in that car; however, at 15 I came to my senses. That car was awesome! The only thing that was not awesome about the bug was that it was a stick shift. I knew that it was going to be difficult for me to learn how to drive this car. I knew I was going to have to practice often.

My dad would pick me up from school a couple days a week and the lessons would proceed. I learned by receiving constant feedback from from my dad (in the form of  yelling at me when I would do something wrong) and from the car itself. If I didn't shift it the right moment, the car would make a horrible grinding sound or would stall. Because my car was so old, it was very different to drive compared to other cars; therefore, my resources were limited in the sense that I couldn't practice with another car. It was frustrating for a couple months to feel like I was practicing all the time and not getting it. It was also challenging trying to remember the rules of the road and the rules to driving the car. It felt overwhelming. Then one day it clicked! I just got it! I was able to drive on the roads, the freeways, in traffic, busy parking lots, and (the most difficult) merging on to the freeway when the signal was on.

After about two years, little Bug stopped working as well and my dad decided to sell it. Even though I was sad to see it go, I was proud of myself for accomplishing a skill that was so difficult for me. Learning that skill was over 15 years ago, but I am still able to drive a manual car although I definitely prefer not to.

A little more recently...

I have learning how to cook in more healthy ways. I was a busy, single mom and cooking quick meals that I knew my son would eat (he's picky). One day, I just got disgusted by how my son and I were eating, so I networked by talking to friends and co-workers. I started by asking friends and co-workers that I knew cooked. I experimented with recipes that people shared with me- some worked, some didn't. And then I was introduced to Pinterest. Pinterest with a search feature where all I had to go was type in "Clean eating recipes" and was given endless possibilities.

The only that was challenging about cooking this way was the preparation that went into it. I learned how to plan ahead. On Sundays I would search for new recipes, make a shopping list, and then I'd head to Sprouts. When I got home, I'd prep whatever I could to make the cooking easier during the week. After awhile it became routine, and now my son and I are healthier.

Looking back these two learning experiences have similarities. Each were things that needed to happen. I needed to learn how to drive, and I needed to learn how to cook healthy meals for my family. These two learning experiences were self-motivated. I wanted to succeed. These two experiences were different because of the resources available. Now, with the use of digital tools, we have more resources to help us with learning new skills. When reflecting on both of these experiences, I'm able to see that learning new skills comes in many forms. It happens best when you are self-motivated and provided feedback of some kind. Learning is easier to do (in my opinion) when you have multiple resources available to you. These resources give you options, advice, and community.