Scraps of My Geek Life » 5k

How Running a 5k Changed My Life

Michele — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 19:52:19 +0000

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I am not a runner.

That is what I spent my life telling myself. In school, I did everything I could to get out of running the 12 minute assessment run every year. I hated running and convinced myself I wasn’t good at sports and definitely NOT a runner.

Fast forward about 20 years, I am still convinced I am not a runner. My kids are in a new school and they need to raise money for a playground. The big fundraiser is a 5k race (5k run/walk.) I decide to sign up for the run so I would count for the numbers for our school, but I had no plans for running a 5k….

I am not a runner!

My brother-in-law offered to run with me, but that meant I would have to run. Now what? I figure I’m in good shape. I workout 5 times/week and I can keep up with the Turbo Jam workouts. I decide I will run this one 5k race and that’s it.

I am not a runner!

Race day arrives and I’m scared to death. How am I going to do this? The race starts and I’m running. Yep, me, I’m running a 5k. The first 1/2 mile is a breeze, then I freeze up. I realize I have to run 3.1 miles. How am I going to do this? Fortunately, my brother-in-law is not going to let me quit. He talks me through the times I want to quit. I am running a 5k. But remember,

I am not a runner!

I am at the 3 mile mark and I can see the end in sight. I see the finish line. I get this huge burst of energy (from where? I have no idea!) and I bust through that finish line. I just finished running a 5k race in 37 minutes (without any 5k training.) Someone hands me a medal. For me? It can’t be!

I am not a runner!

It is so easy to go through life always doing what is comfortable. Never taking risks and breaking out of our comfort zone. Running a 5k taught me that trying something new is scary, but is so worth it. If I can run a 5k race, think of all the other things I can do. All those things I’ve told myself I can’t do. Like speaking in front of an audience. I can’t do that. No wait, I can (and I have.)

That one 5k race has changed me. It should me that I can. The following year, I did 5k training and my 2 older kids ran with me. I wanted to show my kids that they can too. I am now training to run a half marathon this year because….

I AM A RUNNER!

Let’s Talk!

Tell me about a time you broke out of your comfort zone. How did that change your life? Any plans for running a 5k?

How Running a 5k Changed My Life originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.

Week 2 Half Marathon Training, Fitness Mental Blocks

Michele — Tue, 18 May 2010 02:18:23 +0000

After my difficult week 1 of the half marathon fitness training, I was determined to have a better week 2. I walked 2 days and then ran an “unofficial” 5k on Sunday. I wanted to get a benchmark starting point.

I’m not sure what came over me, but I woke up on Sunday morning with this urge to just go run. I knew that if I went alone, I may not run far, so I volunteered my oldest son to go with me. I couldn’t wait to get out there.

Running The 5k

I laced up my shoes, turned on my Nike+ and we just started running. We talked and ran until we had gone 2.5k. Then we turned around and ran 2.5k back home. We walked about .5k and ran the rest. It wasn’t a fast run, slow and steady finishes the race. We finished in 37 minutes averaging about 12 minute miles. I was happy with that time. I have not run consistently in the last few months and the last 5k I ran was on October 17, 2009.

When I was done, I felt so good. Running makes me happy. It makes me feel like anything is possible because for me, running wasn’t always possible. Well, physically it was, but mentally it wasn’t. But somehow I got past that and now I’m a runner.

Running The Empowered Mile

That first mile of my first 5k was the longest and most difficult mile I have ever run. It felt endless. It felt impossible. I managed to get past that first mile and I don’t know where the energy came from, but I was able to finish the 5k.

I was the kid in gym class who finished last. I was not an athlete, I told myself over and over until I was convinced I would never be an athlete. So maybe I’m not good at some sports, but damn…I’m good at the sports where you need to use your body. My body doesn’t fail me when I treat it right.

Overcoming Fitness Mental Blocks

This week was more of a fitness mental block than a physical one. I needed to get past the thought that I can’t run a half marathon. I know it IS possible, but I haven’t been able to envision myself actually completing it. As I was running the 5k, all I thought about was “I really can do this.” That run somehow helped me push past the fitness mental block.

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon, Here I Come!

Week 2 Half Marathon Training, Fitness Mental Blocks originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.

Exercise is the Best Drug

Michele — Mon, 17 May 2010 01:15:22 +0000

ScrappinMichele EA SPORTS Active shirt

Exercise gives me the best high. Better than any drug. I feel like I’m on top of the world and ready to take on anything. Today, my oldest son and I ran a 5k. Not an official race, but rather, we ran 3.1 miles throughout our neighborhood.

I have not run a 5k straight through since last October. I wanted to give myself a place to start. Since I haven’t done a lot of running lately, this is my starting point. When I feel like I’m not making much progress and I’m stuck, I will look at this day and see how far I’ve come.

I Remember

We ran almost all of the 5k, walking maybe .5k. After exercising, I felt AWESOME. My body and mind felt strong.

I remembered why it is that I love to exercise.
I remembered why I signed on for this half marathon stuff.
I remembered why being healthy is so important.
I remembered that my body can do things that I never thought it could.
I remembered that if I set a goal, I can do it.
I remembered how proud I am of me!

Exercise does so much more than just work our body, it works our minds also.

Let’s Talk!
Tell me how you feel after exercising? Good, bad, ugly?

Exercise is the Best Drug originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.