Since my accidental 16.5 mile run and significant increase in mileage, I’ve been thinking a lot about my progress with running- not so much in an ‘I’m so proud of myself’ way, but more of an ‘anyone can really run’ fashion.
When I started running, I was convinced I wasn’t a runner. I had never exercised growing up and running a mile seemed like a mountain to me. Even when I started running, it didn’t come easy.
I started the Couch to 5K plan Feb. 2008 because I wanted to run a 5K. There was something I felt when I’d run (even if I’d only run for 1 minute) that was addicting- and I wanted more. I love this post about the first time I ran 8 minutes. I was in such disbelief!
I ran the 5K (slowly) and that October I challenged myself to a later 10K and half marathon. I remember telling people about the races I signed up for. 13.1 miles? There was a part in me that didn’t think I’d ever run that far.
I ran the 10K fine, but before the half I got sick and seriously contemplated quitting. That was the first time I really felt the love/hate pull running brings. Don’t worry- I ended up running (and feeling on top of the world from it)- so much so that I ran another half less than two months later! Sadly I got my shin splints before the second half which brought on many more love/hate experiences.
The next few months I was down and out. My shin splints hurt so bad that it made running impossible. After 5 months of basically no running, I slowly started back with running this July. Working past 2, 3, 4 and eventually 5 miles was tough and liberating. But I had to run- I had spontaneously signed myself up for the Disney Marathon (1/10/10)!
When I started running 1 mile was my challenge. A year later the half marathon was my challenge. This year it’s the marathon. I’ve learned that I have to push myself one step farther than I think I can go. Each impossible I’ve tackled has established a new possible.
Now when people hear I ran 14 miles before work or 16.5 miles last week, they say, “good for you, but I could never do that. I can’t even run a mile!” Oh how wrong they are!
Two years ago 1 mile was tough for me… now I’m training for 26.2. The journey is challenging and rewarding, but most of all it is possible.
At the start of this year I published Real Life Running Tips from the Almost Runner. I still believe in all of those; only now I would add this: find passions outside of running. It could be cycling, yoga, dancing, volunteering, mountain climbing… but do something else that you can be successful at. If you have a bad run or an injury takes you out, you can think back on your successes outside of running.
What have you accomplished that you never thought you would?
*I will be back to blogging about food soon! I have a fun lunch planned that I can’t wait to share :)
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