Sepia Prime Woman Digital Magazine March 2014 | Page 7

YOUR BODY STRONG
UP, RUNNING & LOVING IT!
Debra
How she started running.
I started out as a walker. I participated in the
UNCF annual walk-a-thon for ten years and
employer-sponsored walks for more than
five years. The walks were typically 5K or
10K (3 or 6 miles). After 15 years of
walking 3 or 6 miles once or twice a year, I
felt I could do more. I joined a training
group for my first half marathon in 2007.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to
run all or any of a marathon. I started at a
17-minute mile doing a walk/run interval
pace of 3:1, i.e., walk 3 minutes, run 1
minute. I eventually improved to being able
to run an entire mile in 10 minutes without
walking in 2013.
How old she was when she started
running.
I started doing half marathons with a
walk/run ratio at age 48. I actually ran my
first mile without walking or stopping at age
54. Once you start getting the medals for
your accomplishments, you want more (we
are like kids with that).
What challenges did she experience as a
runner My initial challenge was my weight.
Because I was so heavy, the pain to my
knees made me want to stop, but that was
the reason I knew I needed to keep going.
Invest in properly fitted shoes from a
running store (not a Footlocker or Nike
Town). I NEVER RUN IN COTTON; it will
rub whatever part of your body it touches
and chaff. That can be painful.

Sepia Prime Woman

FEATURE
How often do you run? When I’m training
for a race, I try to run at least three times per
week: two short runs - 3 to 5 miles during
the week, usually Tuesday and Thursday,
and one long run - 10 or more miles on the
weekend, typically Saturday.

“Start Slow. Do what feels
comfortable for you. Don’t
despise small beginnings.”
Debra

March 2014