It was a hot, humid day in the middle of Louisiana’s summer where this crazy gal thought, “Hey, maybe I should try to run.” My husband probably thought I was nuts, and I’m sure my neighbors had 911 on speed dial, but I did it. I thought that those one minute jogs were the hardest jogs of my life, and I had no idea how in the heck I was going to be able to run for 30 minutes in less than 3 months.
I told myself to take it a day at a time. There were MANY days where the heat index was well over 100 degrees, and it took everything in me to just get out there. I’m not exaggerating, y’all. Couch to 5K was probably one of the hardest things I’ve put my body through. I’m still very overweight, but I was so glad to see that my body was able to adapt to running.
Now, I’m sure there are a few of y’all reading this, thinking that you could never do this. I was sitting on the couch right there with you. If you think you’re too heavy to run, I started Couch to 5K in the 270s. If you think your body isn’t capable, you will be so shocked at how quickly your body adapts. One week you’re running in one minute increments, and the next? You’re running 20 minutes straight. 25 minutes straight. 30 MINUTES STRAIGHT.
DISCLAIMER: Now, of course before you start any type of workout program, it’s best to check with your doctor. I’m not a doctor…just some random blogger. Seriously, check with your doctor before taking on a workout program, especially if you have had injuries or you’re overweight. Running can be hard on your body, so you want to make sure you don’t make anything worse or hurt yourself…period!
Ok, now that that’s out of the way….running. It’s not easy. While it can take a toll on your body, I want to let you know that your mind is your biggest enemy. Your mind will start telling you some crazy things… It will tell you to stop; it will tell you you’ve done enough; it will tell you that your house with an A/C is AMAZING.
But, keep it up. Unless of course, you get injured…stop running if you get injured. If you aren’t injured though, turn up your favorite Pandora station and tell your mind to shut up. I really felt like during most of my runs, the minute I ignored what I was doing (as in, get your mind off the running and think about something else), the time during my run would fly by.
I’m sure if you follow me on Instagram (username is niftyfoodie), you probably recognize these pictures. I really wanted to remember my C25K journey, and it’s really cool to look back on these.
Sometimes, I can’t believe that I’m able to run 30 minutes non-stop. It completely blows my mind. I keep thinking I’m going to try to run, and my body is going to act like my Week 1 body. But it doesn’t….in a couple of short months, I became a runner. There…I said it.
I’M A RUNNER.
Take that, PE teacher.
If you’re wondering what’s next for me, I have another 5K next month, as well as another in January. I’m hoping that for this coming 5K, I will be able to run the whole 3.1, and reach my goal of a 45:00 finish time. 🙂
You.Are.Awesome. I still cant’ believe you did the whole program in the miserable heat. Guess what? This fall and winter are going to feel like HEAVEN!!!
You go, girl!
AWESOME! Stories like this inspire me, because I never really had to start from point zero like that. I am so glad you love running, keep it up!
You’re so awesome!! Seriously, I am impressed with anyone who goes from non-runner to runner. I tried, failed. But you did it! Keep up the good work!!
I am in awe of you. Seriously, I think about you ever time I go out on a run. Seeing you succeed with this program is what encouraged me to start it. And now I’m halfway through week 7 (well, 2/3 since it’s 3 runs a week) and I, too, can’t believe I’m able to run for 25 minutes straight. It doesn’t seem possible given how excited I was to run for 3 minutes in a row just a few short weeks ago. If I’m ever feeling tired or like I want to stop I think about you and tell myself, “if Amy can do this, so can you.” Virtual high five!
I can’t believe that you started when you did in Louisiana! I wouldn’t even run outside in the evening with those temps, so you’re way tougher than I am. Way to go!
OMG this is exactly what I needed to read today as the day you posted it was the day I started C25K!!!! I am really excited to start and it’s encouraging to know that my body will be able to do those things. Because those one-minute runs (barely running for me) are one of the hardest things ever… I can’t imagine being able to just… RUN. Straight. Not stopping. I can’t wait to keep up with the program and compare our notes… so happy to have you as a friend to help me along the way!!!!!!!! AND- so proud of you!
I am so proud out you. You are SO awesome. I can barely walk in that heat and humidity let alone run.
Your story was just what I needed to read today! I plan on starting this evening when I get home from work. And I pray that this motivation I have right now continues because usually, it’s a completely different story when I get home. Thank you for sharing & I look forward to reading more. 🙂