It’s strange. I am not exactly what you’d call a thin person, nor am I tragically obese. In reference to fruit, I would say that I am an apple. I’m large around the midsection. It would be safe to assume that I don’t run…or exercise daily. I’m not a fitness nut nor am I terribly unhealthy. In fact, I’m quite average. I can walk a mile in 10 minutes flat, which doesn’t sound like much to some but I know people who are, 1/24th my size and they couldn’t walk a mile in 10 minutes if their life depended on it.
Lately, my sleep schedule has been completely off. I’ve begun to prefer to sleep during the day and stay awake at night. And over the course of the past few weeks, I’ve found myself wanting to go for a full out sprinting run between 2-4 in the morning. Normally, it wouldn’t stop me from doing what I felt compelled to do. Only, I live in a relatively unsafe neighborhood. It’s perfectly fine during the day but at night, you need to be careful. Especially runners. Thieves, rapists, kidnappers, etc etc. all seem to favor runners because they aren’t usually paying attention to their surroundings. I’ve been raped and sexually assualted before, so, I never put myself in a situation where I have no escape route or am not paying attention to my surroundings.
But, it’s still not safe to go out at night. The issue at hand is that I feel so compelled to run and I’m never awake during the day hours to go running. I don’t know why I am feeling this way. I’ve always been a professional couch potato. Running wasn’t even in my vocabulary. But, at the same time, every night, I just get this calling, this need, to go running. I end up pacing around my apartment clawing at the door to go out. But everytime I do, (leave the apartment to take a chance) I find reminders of why it’s not safe to go out at night and I return to my apartment…trapped. I am anxious when I feel the need to run but it’s not like during a panic attack. It’s a different kind of anxiety. It’s hard to explain. I don’t know if anyone else feels like this but I needed to write it out. I needed to “talk” about it because I feel the compelling need to go running but there are men outside harassing people. It’s not safe to go out and once again, I’m trapped. It’s strange…
11 comments
Well, if you don’t mind me asking, what do you do? My current schedule is very similar to yours, I woke up at 7 pm today, and I don’t do anything all day. Naturally, I also get the urge to go out, exercise and whatnot. Try doing push-ups.
Six-count Burpies – that’d stop your midnight craving for a run. Start from ten and make your way in descending order till you’re only doing the one. You manage that and you’ll be knackered afterwards. Don’t risk a night time run AT ALL. Even though I’m a guy and know enough to drop anyone who would try mess with me, I still won’t risk it.
I know that static exercises are nothing compared to your usual running, but I don’t think you’d be in the mood for a rowing machine or exercycle, so yeah. 1600 metres in ten flat? I’m not even playin’ around, I’m impressed.
If I miraculously heal one day and manage to walk on both legs unassisted, I’ll be sure to do an 8km run in your honour. Well done.
Buy a treadmill!
I was a professional couch potato, like yourself. Got a similar sensation as you actually and I saved up enough to get myself a treadmill. Now I watch tv and movies while running, or just powerwalking (if you really wanna pay attention to what you’re watching)
You wouldn’t BELIEVE the difference it made.
It wasn’t very hard, it pumped my endorphins up, and my self confidence went up with it as well. All in the safe haven of my own home, away from other people.
Seriously, one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. You should definitely look into it.
I work two jobs during the day. My natural sleep cycle is usually from 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. Right now, I”m ready for bed by 3 p.m. and I sleep until 11 p.m. or so. Then, I’m up until 7 or 8 in the morning. I try to do all of the idle exercise but it’s running that my body wants to do.
Shepard: I am a woman but I’m trained in basic defensive combat. I could take multiple assailants if I needed to but, like you said, I’d really rather save the energy and not risk it.
I’m not usually a runner which is why the sudden urge to run is so weird and off. I’ve used rowing machines before. They are kinda boring but you get a good workout.
I hope that you heal and find what you need. I am honored at the thought and appreciation. Thank you. š
I’m not permitted to have large equipment like tredmills in my apartment, unfortunately. :/
Ah damn…How about a rowing machine?
I actually love those things and they aren’t that big
Nope, we aren’t allowed. The apartments here aren’t really big enough for more than a couch, tv, stand in the living room and a bed/dresser/table in the bedroom.
…just quickly: The Army’s Required Fitness Level (RFL) Grade 1 standard for a female conducting the 2400 metre run is 11:30 (IIRC). Assuming your running pace would be twice the speed of your walking pace, you’d easily be able to make that grade. A random fact, but I like hearing of folks pursuing fitness for any reason.
Thanks for your comment in regards to my welfare – and trust me when I say you’ve given me a lot more inspiration (if I do heal) to really run my arse off.
“…I never put myself in a situation where I have no escape route or am not paying attention to my surroundings.”
^this.
“I am a woman but Iām trained in basic defensive combat. I could take multiple assailants if I needed to but, like you said, Iād really rather save the energy and not risk it.”
I don’t know of a way to express how appealing i find this particular statement, without coming off as creepy. Combat capable women are top tier, IMO. Function > Form. Sue me, blame me, whatever i don’t care. This is one of the most appealing things to me (not that you have to care about my preferences for any reason; just expressing appreciation for a highly respectable feature). I’ve always kinda hoped to be loved by a girl who could kick my ass. Just a thing. š
Oh, and a 10 minute walking mile sounds “fast” to me. I walk faster than everyone i’ve ever known, when i have somewhere to go. If i’m with other people, i have to slow down for them. If i have nowhere to go, why am i walking? lol.
I just checked your previous post list, because i don’t remember noticing you before, but you’ve been here a while it seems… i’m not sure how to articulate how i feel sort of bad about that. Kinda like “hey there’s some highly valuable qualities about this person that i’ve never noticed was here all this time…”
Perhaps some chi kung (aka “qi gong”) breathing/meditation/stretching would satisfy the aerobic urges?
…i’m often reminded of the admittedly brief but deep and effective training i experienced many years ago, and the things i read from people on this site often make me wish i could put on a clinic for all of you, just to share the fundamentals i learned back then, because i know it could help a lot of people, most of whom likely do not have access to such things. But it’s… a sort of intensive and intimate type of thing, and would require a physical presence, a gathering, which is just not feasible. You can’t really learn this stuff the right way by watching videos, it has to be taught in person. If you can find a legit instructor in your area (kung fu, tai chi, chi kung, etc.), i strongly recommend integrating it with whatever else you do.
Shepard: One of my many flaws is my distrust and apprehension towards authority. The army being huge on authority. I appreciate the thought, though! I’m not much of a runner so I’d have to time myself on the meter run.
Clevername: I’m flattered. Thank you for appreciating qualities not typically seen as feminine. Most people run for the hills when a woman is capable of taking care of herself.