Well, it happened. My first run is officially complete.
I went out early, just the way I like it — 6 a.m., 73 degrees, 85% humidity, dew point at 69°, and a light 6 mph breeze. Supposedly, that combination is miserable to run in. Maybe it’s just being from St. Louis, but honestly, it didn’t feel that bad
False Starts
This run took multiple attempts to get started — three.
False Start #1: A block from my house, Runna told me my watch wasn’t synced. Back home I went.
False Start #2: After syncing, I walked half a mile to the park, stretched, hit “Start” — only to learn I needed to enable Apple Health permissions. Back home again.
Third Time’s the Charm: This time, I launched from the driveway. Finally….. success.
Not the warm-up I planned, but maybe the one I needed.
The Run Itself
This was a 1.7-mile walk/run plan: alternate 1 minute running with 1.5 minutes walking, plus a 5-minute warmup and cooldown. Runna oddly counts those into pace, so my stats look slower than expected.
I added my own half-mile walk and stretching before officially starting. Here’s how it all shook out:
Distance: 1.52 miles
Pace: 16:31/mi
Average Heart Rate: 138 bpm
Elevation Gain: 51 ft
Cadence: 121 spm
Calories Burned: 268
Music Choice: Arcade Fire – WE
If you just look at the pace, it seems like I may have fallen asleep halfway through. But the walking intervals really drag it down. I wasn’t fast, but I found a rhythm that worked — and that’s the point.
Fun Fact:
An 8-minute mile and a 15-minute mile are the same distance. And both are one mile farther than anyone sitting on their couch.
How It Felt
At first, I felt soreness just below my knees. But as I went on, it faded, and by the end it was gone completely. I’ll be looking up stretches for that spot to make sure it doesn’t become an issue.
The route wasn’t hilly, but it wasn’t flat either. I stayed on the town roads, and by the end my legs felt a little like Jell-O. Still — after a shower, I felt fantastic.
Today’s Tip
If you listen to music while running but can’t hold a steady pace, take one earbud out.
Being able to hear your breathing and footfalls makes a huge difference. Years ago, I could lock in at a pace and never waver. When I came back to running, I struggled — until I realized I used to always keep one ear free. Matching breath to steps is the easiest way to keep steady.
Closing Thoughts
In the end, I did exactly what I set out to do. My first run is behind me, and I’m ready for the next one. Not every run will feel this good, but today, I’m grateful that this one did.
Gear Used
- Shoes: Brooks Glycerin GTS
- Watch: Apple Watch Ultra
- Headphones: Beats Fit Pro (one ear in)
- App: Runna
- Headwear: Alter Ego Running Hat
- Shirt: Budget tech shirt (Amazon special)
- Shorts: Old faithful Under Armour shorts
- Socks: Swiftwick Aspire One
- Hydration: Amphipod handheld water bottle
