Something happened today. It was monumental, HUGE. It was everything I’ve ever wanted in my fitness life. I couldn’t believe it happened.
I know as soon as I type the words, and soon as some of you read it you’ll be thinking to yourselves…..that’s it?! Really, but you don’t understand.
I ran two miles today. I ran two miles today, without stopping.
Now before you start clicking onto another site, let me tell you my journey and we’ll see how you think and feel then.
My whole life I have hated running. Hate may not be strong enough, every fiber of my being wanted to simultaneously scream and dissolve into salt whenever I heard words about running the mile or “fun” run, or jogging. I wanted to punch coaches in the face, and scream at them how I just couldn’t do it and bring myself to take one more step. Running made me feel weak, slow, and big. Not only did I have to compete with these short people and their super swift moves, the tall people always passed me too with their gazelle like legs, ug. It made me want to quit everything, go home and live under covers. I hated the days of hell week for volleyball when I would be forced to run a mile under 9 minutes. It was humiliating. It just reminded me again of how weak and slow I was.
You don’t believe me right? How could running ever be that bad? Well I really don’t know how or why. I was told years later that when I was in kindergarten we were required to run around a large grassy area with trees under a certain amount of time. Guess who didn’t make it? And the time we were having club volleyball tryouts and the coach asked us all to raise our hand if we hate running. I was the only one with a hand raised. Guess who didn’t make the team? The under 9 minute mile was a plague over me that Summer. My best friend at the time was one of the better runners on our team. I remember so perfectly when she was asking me if I finally did it this week. After answering no over and over for weeks, and the pure malice behind the question, I took a huge swig of gatorade in my mouth. I pointed my puffed cheeks with liquid at her. And I spit as hard and as far as I could. She didn’t ask me about it again. I wasn’t getting anywhere under 9 minutes. It wasn’t until the assistant coach ran with me, which forced me to do something I never could before. I was never so happy as to hear 8:45 in my life. I was safe from another week.
Believe it or not, I would not run another mile without stopping again until our trip last year to Nashville. That was the craziest feeling, but didn’t stick with it. I think I got too scared of the future, after all how can I continue to conquer me fear if it isn’t in my way anymore? I didn’t run again until a while later when we did The Warrior Dash. That race is fun, but the running was the least of our worries. I’ve always wanted to get back to running running, where I’m actually making progress. Well I guess you could say I made myself do it because I signed myself and the Hulkster up for the Turkey Trot.
At the time, there were 18 weeks to go. 18 loooooong weeks before the race. At first I told myself that I have plenty of time. I don’t need to be so focused on training because I’ve got a while. Well then I got sick, and I got a whole lot of lazy, and then some weeks I forgot or skipped a week. And here I was with 5 weeks to go, realizing the error of my ways. All I could do was just start running again. And so I did. This time with my friend from work. She got me through the longest interval last week- 8 minutes, and corrected my posture. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! So that brings us here today. My moment to shine. I had looked up on my Coach to 5k app to see what the running was today and it said walk 5 minutes, run 20 minutes or 2 miles, I was really nervous. But with the help and encouragement I got from friends and the Hubster- I did it.
Not only did I do it, I hit 20 minutes but wasn’t to 2 miles yet. So I kept going! It’s like a dream I never knew existed.
Now that I’m back down to Earth a little, I feel very proud of myself. Like really proud. I’m usually not proud of myself, so I give myself this one.
I am still very excited to continue the Living and Active Challenge over at Peak 313. I had to take it a little easier than planned because I got a sinus infection but I was able to push through. This challenge not only makes me work physically on my body, but I have to mentally work too with memorizing scripture. I have never been good at that! Old Testament in order? New? Tribes of Judah and Fifty Nifty? I have it all in my head, but scripture for some reason is difficult for me. But I haven’t given up- no sir!
In case you’re involved in the challenge too, good luck! And I would love to hear how things are going! If not, it’s never too late to join in and have fun! I’ll blog more details when I’m feeling better!
The Hulkster and I have been slowly working through the couch to 5k program. I’ve found running outside really helps. The distraction of the wind in my face, crunch of leaves and rocks under my feet, and Taylor by my side has been all I need. I was going through my normal blogs today and I was pointed in the direction of the Living and Active 5 week challenge. I am so excited!
As part of the check in portion, there are a couple of things that I need to update:
1. What is my workout plan? Well, I will continue with the C25K program which is 3 days a week. The other day I’m going to try for something new and different. This week will be SWING DANCING! I am so excited because we haven’t gone in years.
2. Who is your accountability partner? So far it’s my husband, but that doesn’t mean he’s the only one that can help me out! I would love encouragement and accountability from anyone!
3. Are you excited? YES Ma’am!
Anyone else interested in joining me? I’m looking forward to this challenge, especially since candy and turkey day are right around the corner! 🙂
Have you ever thought to yourself that you could never accomplish something? You tell yourself that you’re too slow, too fat, too scared? Well let me tell you friends, I competed in The Warrior Dash and lived to tell the tale! Since I was a Warrior Virgin as they called me, I learned some things that helped me get through the race. Looking back on it, I’m so proud of myself because I never thought I could do it! Here’s some things I learned, that may help you too!
1. You “may” means yes you will get wet, dirty, sweaty, muddy, and GROSS! Wear something you don’t like, or don’t mind staining. I rinsed out our clothes and washed them with a booster and detergent after the race thinking it would help. My shirt and sports bra were ok, along with my shorts but our socks that were once black turned paper bag brown. Yeah, not so much…
2. I didn’t run as much as I thought I would. I instead climbed walls, swam in deeper water than I’m comfortable with, and got into the blackest, muddiest sludge rock and grass filled water I’ve ever seen. I even lost my shoe in the mud, it was so thick! Before the race I thought the running would be the hardest for me, but it turned out to be the easiest- who knew?!
3. Do it for fun! I don’t know about you, but just the fact that I did a 5k was huge for me. I’m not a runner (although I’m working on it!) and I really don’t care who beats my time. I went with my husband and his best friend, and it was a blast! We didn’t run for anyone but ourselves! We were kind of laughing at the people that ran for time because it just seems ridiculous. I mean look, you’re running in the woods, swimming in the lake, sledging through mud, jumping over fire, who cares how long you take? To each their own and sorry if I made you furrow your eyebrow at me, but it wasn’t about the glory!
4. There’s always room for more dirt. It took me three loofahs full of body wash and scrub downs to get to a level of clean I was ok with. It was disgusting! The one good thing though, is even though our shoes proved equally as gross, we donated them!
After the race, everyone takes off their mud caked shoes and piles them up. They are taken, cleaned, and donated to people in need around the world, or used for recycling. Cool huh? It makes it that much easier to give away!
5. You will do something you never thought you could do. That is, if you try! The first obstacle was jumping over 5 foot walls. That was just the first one. Then I climbed over a water wall. Then I climbed over a 20 foot wall with a rope. And much much more.
The really cool thing is inspiring people! I was very surprised how many people responded with enthusiasm to want to try themselves! Even with my crazy large bruises on my legs! Someone even signed up for the next race when Taylor told him about it. Pretty cool, I must say.
So, what have you been up to lately?
{She-Hulk-Out} 