So one of my goals for the year is to “become a runner”. The only way to really start on this goal is to start running so yesterday was day one. This is year 3 that I’m starting to run again but this time it’s at the beginning of the year and I’m planning on running all year long and making it a long time habit.
In 2015, I started running in preparation for the first time I did the Iron Girl Triathlon. While I was getting ready for the triathlon, I was also focusing on preparing for the other 2 disciplines and I wasn’t totally dedicated to becoming a runner. I started running again last year as I was prepping for the triathlon but I was in a lot of pain due to my back issues through the training cycle and quickly fell out of it after the race.
So third time’s the charm. To start out running this time, I’m going to be using the same app to train that I used the first time I did the triathlon. It’s the Active Couch to 5K app and it’s a 9 week program to help transition from run/walk into fully running a 5k. There have been a few updates to the app since the last time I used it and I also have a Garmin running watch that will help me see my pace throughout rather than just my overall average pace.
Half of the struggle of getting started is just getting out the door. Yesterday wasn’t too hard of a day seeing as how it was the only 70 degree day we’re going to get in January. I didn’t get home from teaching until around 4:15 which means I had only a few minutes to get out the door if I wanted to finish around sunset at 5:05. I got up to the park and I was just in love with how gorgeous of an evening it was. I wish it hadn’t been Brady’s late day so we could have gone together.
^Ugly selfie and photo from the dam.
Since the run times were only a minute each alternated with a 1 1/2 minute walk (with a 5 minute warm up and cool down), I really tried to keep a good pace on the runs. There was one I ended up running rather slow because of a tension buildup in my calf/shins and a few walks were slow for the same reason but it worked itself out and I felt like I was able to keep a good pace throughout.
I was really surprised when I finished running to see that I’d had a 9:05 min/mi avg run pace because that number usually sits over 12:00! 🙂 I’d like to keep running at that pace even as the time starts to increase because I usually sit back and run pretty slow.
I finished my run exactly at this point and it was a serene happy moment for me at the end of a good run.
At a few points in the run I dealt with the thoughts of, “running is hard, how are you going to keep this up?”, “what if it never feels any easier?”, “what if people are watching and judging me run?”, etc…
I can’t control what people think and I don’t know what they’re thinking so that the easiest to push from my mind. When it comes to the other 2, I remind myself that things will get better if I don’t give up, I’ll regret it if I give up, and my body is ready to start feeling energized and healthy so I owe it to myself to finally reach that goal! Running by myself is usually the perfect opportunity to think about building myself up and working out the insecurities I have when it comes to my health and my life.
I had to snap one more gorgeous pic before I jumped into my car and drove home to stretch.
I had a big drink in the car on the way home and then stretched out for a few minutes. When Brady got home he helped roll and rub some of my tight muscles and it all must have worked because I’m feeling pretty good today when I was expecting to feel a little more sore/tighter.
I don’t know exactly how things will work out but I’m thinking that I’m going to try and do a 5k in March around my birthday (St. Patrick’s Day), a 10k in late April or in May, and then maybe one or 2 races in the fall with one of those being a half marathon. I read a post the other day by This Runner’s Recipes about picking up running and she talked about how important it was to lay a foundation and spend at least 6 months allowing your body to learn how to handle the rigor of running before starting to train for a half or full marathon so I think I’ll be allowing myself enough time to train for a half sometime in September-November.
It takes time to reach goals and it doesn’t happen overnight, but I’m on my way.
Have a good weekend!
Did you have any beautiful runs this week? Please share any and all sunset photos!
What’s something that helps you get out the door for a run?
No Comments