Wow. I sound like I'm writing a college essay or something with that title...
Well, long story short, I decided sometime in early October that I needed to start doing physical activity if I wanted to be healthy. So I started running. I began just doing a mile and for a while I just tried to run a mile faster and faster each time. One day I learned that a 5k was about 3.1 miles. I decided that the next time I ran, I was going to just keep on running as long as I could, but at least try to get to 3ish miles. That was in November and my time was about 35 minutes. I signed up for a 5k and kept on running 3.1+ miles on the treadmill (which I realize now that there are better/more efficient ways to train for a 5k, but I really just went for it). Eventually my time got better and better, but, I was running on a treadmill where my pace was kept pretty steady for me. So when the weather got nice and I could run outside, I started to have a hard time. Eventually I just started off by running a mile. I built myself back up to running 3, but to be quite honest, I often got too lazy to actually run all 3, so I ran 2+ miles. Most days I did try to challenge myself to running 3 or more. I ran one course by my house that was about 3.3 and had a killer hill I ran up. I didn't always run the whole way but, I tried. I had like, 5 different courses I would run that were anywhere between 2-3 miles. As the date for my 5k came closer, I started to run more 3 milers and became a lot more disciplined in making sure I ran at least 3-4 times a week.
Today I successfully ran my first 5k race.
While my time might not have been the best of all times (29:10), it was my best run and I'm actually pretty proud of myself. At some point people started to walk, and I was getting tired, but I kept on telling myself that I could walk, but in reality, I didn't really want to. I wasn't about to cross that finish line and have walked part of the time. I was going to run the whole way. So, instead of walking, I jogged and then built back up my speed. When I reached the end, I just sprinted the whole way until I crossed the line, glad that I could finally walk.
A 5k might not seem like much to some people, but for someone who used to never do any kind of exercise in any form, it was pretty big, and I'm happy with myself and what I've accomplished.
Building up and strength and agility has helped me learn a lot of different things. It taught me discipline. I mean, in the beginning I was always excited to run, but at some point, I just grew tired of it. I wanted to stop and take like, a month break. Still, through the many days when I just wanted to watch The Office or go home to just sleep, I forced myself to run. And to be honest with you all, there were days when I just didn't run at all, but I'm not perfect.
Another thing I learned was just living a healthier lifestyle. I wanted to learn how to eat healthier and keep my body in better shape. I've started to realize more about what is good for me and what isn't. I try to make healthier eating choices (key word: TRY), and I feel a lot better. I do other exercises with my arms, legs, and abs (although... what abs, though?) and just attempt to make healthier life choices so my body can be healthier. It doesn't mean that I won't go to Kimball's though, or eat a piece of bread once in while. I mean, come on, I have to live just a little bit, don't I?
Overall, I've learned to just care for my body a little better. And I do really enjoy running. I always feel good after. It's also cool because one time I got called a 'runner' and I've never been called a runner in my entire life. I can now be like, "Yeah, I run. I do physical activity. I don't always spend my time watching Gilmore Girls or The Office."
Today's quote is: "Your body won't go where your mind doesn't push it."
I honestly said this to myself all the time.
Here are some pictures from today:
Well, long story short, I decided sometime in early October that I needed to start doing physical activity if I wanted to be healthy. So I started running. I began just doing a mile and for a while I just tried to run a mile faster and faster each time. One day I learned that a 5k was about 3.1 miles. I decided that the next time I ran, I was going to just keep on running as long as I could, but at least try to get to 3ish miles. That was in November and my time was about 35 minutes. I signed up for a 5k and kept on running 3.1+ miles on the treadmill (which I realize now that there are better/more efficient ways to train for a 5k, but I really just went for it). Eventually my time got better and better, but, I was running on a treadmill where my pace was kept pretty steady for me. So when the weather got nice and I could run outside, I started to have a hard time. Eventually I just started off by running a mile. I built myself back up to running 3, but to be quite honest, I often got too lazy to actually run all 3, so I ran 2+ miles. Most days I did try to challenge myself to running 3 or more. I ran one course by my house that was about 3.3 and had a killer hill I ran up. I didn't always run the whole way but, I tried. I had like, 5 different courses I would run that were anywhere between 2-3 miles. As the date for my 5k came closer, I started to run more 3 milers and became a lot more disciplined in making sure I ran at least 3-4 times a week.
Today I successfully ran my first 5k race.
While my time might not have been the best of all times (29:10), it was my best run and I'm actually pretty proud of myself. At some point people started to walk, and I was getting tired, but I kept on telling myself that I could walk, but in reality, I didn't really want to. I wasn't about to cross that finish line and have walked part of the time. I was going to run the whole way. So, instead of walking, I jogged and then built back up my speed. When I reached the end, I just sprinted the whole way until I crossed the line, glad that I could finally walk.
A 5k might not seem like much to some people, but for someone who used to never do any kind of exercise in any form, it was pretty big, and I'm happy with myself and what I've accomplished.
Building up and strength and agility has helped me learn a lot of different things. It taught me discipline. I mean, in the beginning I was always excited to run, but at some point, I just grew tired of it. I wanted to stop and take like, a month break. Still, through the many days when I just wanted to watch The Office or go home to just sleep, I forced myself to run. And to be honest with you all, there were days when I just didn't run at all, but I'm not perfect.
Another thing I learned was just living a healthier lifestyle. I wanted to learn how to eat healthier and keep my body in better shape. I've started to realize more about what is good for me and what isn't. I try to make healthier eating choices (key word: TRY), and I feel a lot better. I do other exercises with my arms, legs, and abs (although... what abs, though?) and just attempt to make healthier life choices so my body can be healthier. It doesn't mean that I won't go to Kimball's though, or eat a piece of bread once in while. I mean, come on, I have to live just a little bit, don't I?
Overall, I've learned to just care for my body a little better. And I do really enjoy running. I always feel good after. It's also cool because one time I got called a 'runner' and I've never been called a runner in my entire life. I can now be like, "Yeah, I run. I do physical activity. I don't always spend my time watching Gilmore Girls or The Office."
Today's quote is: "Your body won't go where your mind doesn't push it."
I honestly said this to myself all the time.
 |
| Preppin'. |
 |
| In the beginning where 3 miles doesn't even seem far. |
 |
| Happy to be done/Feeling accomplished. |
In the end, I hope to see many more 5k's in my future, as well as longer distance races.
---Maggie
You are an inspiration Maggie...keep on running and especially writing!
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