In all of my years of working out, competing in sports and being active, I never imagined that I could be a runner. I have to admit- I've tried, I really have, but I've always failed. Either my knees hurt or it just wasn't fun. However, in my recent quest to expand my gym time activities, I decided I would try running again. I wasn't sure how it would go, but I soon realized that I fell quickly in love with it.
I never thought I would, especially the first day I climbed on the treadmill in December. I could barely make it a half of a mile, but I just had this feeling inside me that I could do it. I was already in pretty decent shape (thank you spinning and zumba) but I was excited to add running into my routine. With the new year rolling around the corner, I decided I would compete in not only a few 5k's, but I would also do a 8K and a half-marathon.
Thanks to my former PA area director and motivator, Mitzie Shafer, I realized that no matter how long it took me to do it, I could finish the 5k and finish it strong. I worked hard and finally I can proudly say that I was able to run 5k straight. I finally realized I had become a runner and I was addicted. Nothing can quite describe the feeling of a runner's high. You feel invincible and that feeling was exactly what I needed to have. Running did not come easy to me, but it gave me a power that I had never had in myself. It made me feel like I could honestly accomplish any feat that lay in front of me. I was healthy and I was a runner.
So, this past Saturday- Jan. 22, in the bitter cold, I put on my running tights (that now fit- thank you weight watchers!) and I was ready to go. My wonderful husband along with Traci's husband had come out to support us. And we were ready to go. I can't quite describe the feelings that were inside me that morning... I was shaking (was I cold or just that nervous?)... would I be able to run without stopping?... was I in over my head???... how in the world did I get myself into this??
9 am and the shotgun went off... and I started.... as I ran to the sounds of Nelly's Heart of a Champion and #1, with each step I took, I felt that power coming back into my body. With each tenth of a mile, I got faster. I got braver. I could see the end in sight and I was going to do it.
My goal for the race was to finish in under 35 minutes... well... I can PROUDLY say that I crossed the finish line in 29:17. I could not believe that I had finished in under 30 minutes. I had climbed up that mountain and conquered it. HECK YES!!!!
I was so excited, I couldn't believe it. And, I was so cold, that despite the sweat running down my body, I thought I would freeze. But that feeling of accomplishment- that is something I hope that everyone can accomplish.
The moral of this cruise is simple. If I can run. ANYONE can run. You don't even need a gym- just a pair of shoes and a good, safe area to run. And I highly recommend to anyone that wants to lose weight, get in shape, or just feel better about themselves. Start running. Start slow- take it .25 of a mile at a time. But see what happens to yourself. See how strong you can become. See what changes your body can endure and how it adapts to your new physical routine.
Also, once you get an "addiction" to it... check out www.active.com, it is a great website where you can see all of the local races in your area and it also sends out weekly blasts with running tips.
So go on and do it. GO RUN!!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!
Here I am - runner 257! I finished!!!!
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