A couple years ago, Lori invited me to join her and her friend/pseudo trainer for a short trail run through the hills of Schabarum Regional Park. Even though I grew up in the area, I’d only run/walked the trails once before. R was running late and by the time he showed we has warmed up, stretched and were ready to get on the trails. Before we headed out, he sized me up.

“Are you fit?”

“Um… I guess.”

It was a strange question and I really didn’t know how to answer it. At that point, I was at/near my goal weight and had been regularly working out and running for a year. I was in a healthy BMI range for the first time in my adult life and could run 5-6 miles without stopping.

If “fit” meant keeping up with Lori and R on the trails, my answer was accurate. If it meant anything aside from running* — then and now — not so much.

Lately, I’ve been switching up my strength workouts. Rather than doing the routine I started in December (I’d added weight and reps since then to make it tougher), I attempted 30 minute strength workouts on the Nike Training Club app. I’ve done two workouts. Both have kicked my ass.

I tried both at home and after a few moves, I was sweating like crazy, breathing heavily and my heart was beating faster than when I do hill or speed workouts. Even though the moves are meant to be done non-stop without rest, I frequently paused the app to watch a short video demonstrating the moves and to take a breather. At one point during Perfect Score, last night’s workout, I got lightheaded and laid down on my mat. I’d only been doing the workout for 20 minutes. If I was running, I’d barely be sweating at that point.

Ten minutes later, I was done with Perfect Score. The woman hosting the NTC app congratulated me, but it was totally undeserved. I barely finished.

Despite feeling defeated, un-fit, and sore for a couple of days following each NTC workout, I plan to continue challenging myself. I love running and I’m pretty happy with my recent improvements. However, I know that if I spent all my exercise time just running it won’t be enough to improve my overall fitness and help me get back to my goal weight.

*I’d exclude flexibility. I think I’m okay on that one, but haven’t done any sort of test.

I began running three years ago. I’d been actively following the Weight Watchers plan and steadily losing weight. The program encourages “moving more,” but it’s up to you to decide what that movement looks like and what “more” means. Technically, you could do no exercise and just focus on staying within the allotted points and you’d likely lose the prescribed 0.5-2 pounds a week.

At the time, adding in some cardio 3-4 times a week made sense since everything I’d ever read and heard about weight loss included changes to diet and exercise habits. I didn’t realize then that it would develop into something more than just a habit.

In late February, I joined the gym thanks to a sweet promotional deal. I signed on to my sister’s gym plan for $15 a month. Lori and Adrian gave me some tips on working out and soon I was a late night regular at the local 24 Hour Fitness. I mainly stuck to the treadmill and elliptical, but also added in some light strength training moves Adrian taught me.

I saw results immediately. I improved in my endurance and speed within a few weeks. On the weeks I exceeded my allotted points but still got in 3-4 workouts, I still lost or remained even at my weigh-in. Working out made me feel good, but it was primarily a weight loss tool just like tracking, journaling and watching portion sizes by measuring out my food.

Although running and weight loss were inextricably linked, I didn’t see it as a chore or a necessary evil. I stuck with running rather than other cardio activities because it was what I enjoyed most. I was also inspired by my sister’s marathon training and seeing her cross the finish line at the San Diego Rock’n’Roll Marathon.

Soon, I got fitted for running shoes at Run With Us in Pasadena and signed up for a 5K in the summer. That trail 5K kicked my ass, I wasn’t prepared for the hills and had to walk a little, but still enjoyed the experience and atmosphere.

Eventually, I’d lose 60 pounds by following the WW plan and running regularly. (More on that here.)

***

Last week I read a post by RoseRunner, a talented and fast runner who bristles at the assumption that she runs to lose weight or stay thin. Unlike a lot of her readers, I couldn’t relate. One, I don’t get those comments. Two, if people made that assumption about me, it’d be true. I wouldn’t be a runner now if I hadn’t decided I wanted to lose all the extra weight I’d been carrying around since I was a kid.

In my experience running to lose/maintain weight was not mutually exclusive with actually enjoying the sport. Soon after my first outdoor run (May ’09), I grew to love running and came to see myself as a runner. It took another year before I was ready to push myself to run longer distances and sign up for the Long Beach half marathon. That first experience was great and made me want to challenge myself more.

I no longer run to lose weight, but running is part of my lazy maintenance efforts. I don’t track calories/points for food or exercise. I’ve tried both and ditched it after a week or two. If I feel like my jeans are too tight, I concentrate on eating — more vegetables, watching portion sizes, eating out less — rather than exercise. I occasionally attend WW meetings to weigh-in, but don’t weigh myself weekly. I haven’t been at my goal weight since summer 2010, the same summer I increased my running and started training for my first half marathon. Yup, I’ve gained some pounds back as I’ve run more and become faster… go figure.