My initial thoughts on running

Running has never EVER been something I would go out of my way to work on. Years of excuses and opting to scale workouts made sure that I was never running, even when I was trying to get fit in all other areas of my life. Running was something I was not willing to budge on.

“My body hurts”

“My shin splints are too bad"

“It makes my asthma flare up”

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The list goes on and on.

One day, I was in a work meeting and the idea of the Couch to 5k was proposed. Being that I was much more on the ‘couch’ side than the ‘5k’ side, it intrigued me. Working at HWPO has inspired me in more ways than one and working alongside some really fit, hardworking people made me want to push myself. I thought “Okay fine, MAYBE I could do something like this. I want to get better at running and if it is too hard then I just know it wasn’t meant to be.”

That was until I screwed myself over.

Because I am the way I am (a yapper), I accidentally told everyone I know that I was going to do this program. My fate is sealed. Everyone knows I am trying this so I HAVE to see it through.

The start of my journey

I started my journey with a little bit of retail encouragement and bought some really nice running shoes to help me feel motivated. As each day went by and we got closer and closer to day one, the nerves really started to sink in.

I can’t even run 400m without wanting to fall over, what makes me think I can run over three miles?!

When day one rolled around, I thanked the stars above that all I had to do was walk for 20 minutes and do a little bit of accessory work. I can do this.

The first bit of running came around on day three. I had to run for 30 seconds, three times. Seems like it should be easy enough right? WRONG. Having to check the timer every 10 seconds, praying we would be at 30 already was a wake up call that I was really doing this. I was really training to run and there was no turning back now.

Surprising myself in the early days

The first few weeks were hard. With every passing day, the running length would grow and grow. And most days I would surprise myself with what I was capable of doing. “How can I run two minutes straight when it was so hard to run 1:30 just two days ago?” and then I would just do it. I started to get really encouraged and dare I say, I was starting to enjoy it?

Then we hit Day 36. My first run in double digits AND I had to do it twice? I was SO NERVOUS.

Walk 5:00 
+
2 Sets:
Run 10:00
Walk 1:00

I surprised myself by running the first 10 minutes without stopping but during that 1:00 walk in between I had no other thoughts in my brain except how in the WORLD am I meant to do that all over again?! When the timer went off and it was time to run another 10 minutes, panic started to set in. My feet hurt so badly and the ache in my side was growing with each passing step. About four minutes in, I got a cramp in my calf and that was it. I had to walk the rest of the way. I was devastated that this was the first day of the program that I wasn’t able to complete in its entirety. All the momentum and excitement gone when the reality set in that maybe I can’t do this. 

Facing doubts and physical challenges

That mindset and energy stayed with me into my next run, where we jumped up to two sets of running for 12 minutes. To no surprise, I couldn’t do it. I gave up on myself early on in the run and barely managed to finish the first 12 minutes. By the time I had to run for 12 minutes again, I barely started before committing to walking for the rest of the workout. I was devastated. 

Day 40
Walk 5:00
+
2 Sets:
Run 14:00
Walk 2:00

I was putting on my shoes and about to head out on my run when I said to my husband, “I think I’m okay if running isn’t for me… At least I tried. I’ll walk during my 5k and it won’t be the end of the world.”

And on that note I went on my run and the most magical thing happened.

It clicked.

A breakthrough moment

The first 14 minutes of running went by so fast, I was amazed when my timer went off. How did I run 14 minutes straight and it wasn’t awful? During the entirety of that 2 minute walk, all I could think about is what if I actually CAN do this? What if I’m cutting myself short?

The timer went off and the next 14 minutes began. My whole perspective was changing before my eyes as my body kept going and I kept moving. In awe of what I was accomplishing, even when it started getting challenging, I pushed myself and was determined to run the whole way and I DID.

I ran in my front door and practically screamed at my husband, “I DID IT. I RAN THE WHOLE THING. I THINK I AM GOING TO RUN A 5K.”

Every run after that was a challenge. Of course they grew harder and harder but I grew more and more determined. I was watching my endurance change right before my eyes. I could feel myself get better and seeing that hard work pay off was enough of a push to keep going. Before I knew it I was running 30 minutes straight. I couldn’t believe it. 

The importance of positive thinking on race day

Race day arrived and there I was standing in an ocean of people ready to run their annual Turkey Trot. Eagerly awaiting the announcer to start the race, my palms were sweaty and I worried that I didn’t get enough food or electrolytes in my system or that maybe I didn’t stretch enough before. Before I could really start to panic, I reminded myself of how far I have come. I knew I have grown in more ways than one through the last eight weeks and even if this run didn’t go the way I planned, I decided I was going to be proud of myself no matter what.

3, 2, 1… GO.

And we were off. I pressed play on my playlist and let myself fall into the rhythm. One foot in front of the other. My husband, who could run a 5k in his sleep, ran at my pace alongside me and made sure to remind me the whole way just how capable I was of doing this.

I tried not to pay attention to how far into the race I was because I didn’t want to get into my head about it but when we hit the mile 2 mark, I knew the rest of this race was going to be more of a mental challenge than anything.

I started repeating affirmations in my head over and over.

You can do this. 
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Look how far you’ve come.

Don’t stop now.

Think about how proud you’re going to be when this is over.

My body was slowing down but walking wasn’t an option. I knew that I was going to cross that finish line and be able to say loud and proud that I didn’t quit and I ran the whole thing.

My pace quickened when the end was in sight and I knew I had done it. Tears in my eyes and pride in my chest as I ran across that finish line knowing I had accomplished something that for a long time seemed impossible.

I had achieved what felt like the impossible

I ran a 5k.

I RAN A 5K.

Everyday for eight weeks, I SHOWED UP for myself. 

On days I didn’t want to. 

On days where it wasn’t convenient in my schedule.

On days where the goal seemed untouchable.

I didn’t give up.

I worked hard and when I crossed that finish line, I made myself PROUD.

The HWPO RUN Couch to 5k program helped me achieve a goal I thought wasn’t in the cards for someone like me.

I had no idea if a program like this was going to work but I can, with certainty, report back that it not only works but it has changed who I am as an athlete. I am walking away from this experience with my head swirling with new goals and aspirations because I know now that I can do it.

I know that if I SHOW UP & WORK HARD, that hard work will PAY OFF.