You all remember the little train that could, right? I’m not sure where the story began, but I remember that clip from dumbo…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt6F7YJYowM&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6]
I’m not sure if I should say I feel like that train or what, but I feel like I’m about to attempt something I’m not sure I can do.
Last week I got a Facebook invitation to run the Bolder Boulder (a 10K) with my friend Erin. I don’t know why, maybe Erin made it sound like a lot of fun or I put on my rose colored glasses, but I started to think That is a really good idea. I should do that! On Saturday I ran a mile for the first time in probably ten years and felt awesome. Like I could conquer the world.
Today I ran 1.5 miles. Let’s just say it was a very different experience. When the treadmill said 0.75 miles I found myself praying to God. “Oh God, I can’t do this. Please help me do this. I can’t do this.” A much different running dialogue from that cute little train.
Here’s my question to you. Has anyone ever gone from “Couch to 10K?” Cause that’s what I’m essentially trying to do. Did it ever feel better? Did the training make you feel good? Because ever since .75 miles, I have felt like I need to have a really good cry. I didn’t expect such an emotional response to pushing myself so hard physically! I now understand why The Biggest Loser contestants always break down.
I just need some encouragement.
I remember that the end of this clip was inspiring to me as a kid. It brought me so much joy to see that little engine so happy! I hope that when May 31st comes around I will be running into that stadium feeling exalted and saying to myself “I thought I could! I thought I could! I thought I could!”
Go, Leah, GO! A few years ago I decided that I wanted to try running. I created my own system using the grid of streets around my house. I went for a 16 block walk and ran the last block. Then every day for a few weeks I replaced one block of walking with one block of running, until I was running 16 blocks. Then I kept adding another block every day until I could go a few miles. It was really fun and I was proud of myself. Good luck!
Leah–I basically went from couch to half marathon a little over a year ago! Although I trained for almost 3 months…I'm not going to lie. Running doesn't get easy until you're up to about 5 or 6 miles on a regular basis. Until then, it SUCKS!! But, I will say that it is worth it. The feeling I had when I finished my race…good grief, totally worth it. And, it is SO much easier if you have a goal. Here is my best advice–1. Make sure you have good shoes and socks. Good shoes are worth every penny, and you'll spend less in the long run. Not everyone needs stellar socks, but for me they made SUCH a difference.2. Sign up and pay the money for the race NOW! Half the time, knowing that my registration (and training–I joined a small group that was training) money was gone was my strongest motivation. It made me say "well I don't want that hundred bucks I spent to go to waste." good luck 🙂
Kimberly, that is very encouraging. I have three months right now. I'm probably going to go down to Boulder Running Company to get a great pair of shoes one of these days (mine are working great right now, much to my surprise). What kind of socks do you wear? I can totally see how that makes a difference!Did you lose any toenails? My friends keep telling me they lose toenails. 🙁
thank for share, it is very important .￣︿￣
[…] thought I was going to die. Literally. Midway through I nearly stopped but Paramore’s “Hallelujah” came on my iPod and kept me going. I wrote about that discouraging run […]
Leah! I have some nike socks that are some kind of anti-blister. That was the biggest issue for me. they have a dark band of support around the arch (also helps) and they are labeled L and R for each foot. just make sure to keep your toenails trimmed, and that helps a lot. 🙂
so glad to hear you’re doing well in colorado! miss you here in ks!!