What a Week

This week was an interesting one to say the least. After my workout, or lack thereof on Sunday, I was ready to give up on training for this 5k. Tuesday, I did my usual walk/run at the park and it was good, but Thursday, I think I finally had my breakthrough. Don't ask me what changed in my mind, but for some reason, before I started, I told myself that stopping was not an option.

One book that I am reading really helped me. It is written by a woman who ran a full marathon. (Much more than anything I am doing) But it is great because she puts everything in perspective and on top of that she has a sense of humor. I recommend it to anyone who is starting anything new like running, or any other sport. It has really inspired me to continue with my training.

Now back to Thursday....

Usually, I would at least walk for a bit after the first mile and a half and then finish the run. I just kept going and would not let my body stop. Yay for me! I am so proud of myself. I finished in 28 minutes. (Yeah, I know that is a long time for 3 miles, but hey running 3 miles without stopping is a little challenging when you have never done it before).

This morning, I woke up and looked out the window. One part of me was telling me to stay in the house because it was just going to rain anyway the other part said, "well if you hurry up and go, maybe you can beat the rain." The bed was feeling so good too but I started to feel guilty and got up anyway.

After my warm up of walking for a couple of minutes and ritual bathroom stop, (Don't ask me why I always have to pee before I run. That trail is pretty big and I would not want to get caught having to use the bathroom on the other side of the lake. That would be a site for the ducks!) I went to the start line, told myself this is it, and ran for 3 miles nonstop! Now that is awesome, 2 days of this!

Watch out now, I am on a role....

My Run

When I came in last during that race in the eight grade you could not have paid me to step foot on the track again or compete in any sport that required me to put in all the effort and all the attention was focused on me for those few seconds. Sure, playing volleyball was great, and basketball was fun because we had to win together. Fifteen years later....here I am, trying to become a runner.

Whether it be due to a lack of confidence or ridicuous need to compare myself to others, I never attempted to run again. Now, at the age of 28, I feel like it is something I can do but it is so difficult. I think that trying to run is one of the most hardest things I have ever done. When I step on the trail, I am alone. The physical pain and the mental confidence that is required of a runner is definitely a skill that must be learned. But for some reason, I can't quit. Some days are good while others are not so good. But each day that rolls around, when it is time for me to run....I get up and go.

Maybe it is because I committed to running a 5k which I could easily bail out on. I don't know what it is but I know I am not going to give up. For some reason I think this is life's little way of teaching me more patience and strength (mental/physical). Whatever it may be, I know that I am on a run, on a path to great things.

Thank You Facebook:)

You know, I am thankful for Facebook. One of my friends told me that she came across my blog somehow on the internet and she realized that it was me who was writing. She asked me when I was going to start writing in my blog again and said that what she read was pretty good. I then asked myself, "why did you stop writing anyway?"

At one point I said that I was going to write a book and enter a contest and do all sorts of things. But then what happened....? I got a different job, started graduate school, worked a part-time job (which I recently quit...hallelujah!) and just got caught up in the daily grind. The life that everyone lives with thier loved ones, putting off their dreams to the side or just forgetting about them all together. BUT, thanks to the lovely technology of Facebook, I am inspired to write again!

You know, it is the simple things in life, like a small nudge from someone that keeps us going. Thanks girl! You know who you are:)