One of my goals for my time here at Green Mountain was to start running again. Not to run a certain distance or anything, just to start running again. It’s been months now since my last attempt at the C25K program where I stopped because of a non-running related injury. Here I kept pushing it off and pushing it off, planning on starting my running the last two weeks. When last week rolled around and I was sick the running plan obviously didn’t happen. Because I missed that deadline I had set for myself I feared I wouldn’t start running again.
I’m not sure why I thought that, but it was completely off base. I might not have started running again on my own schedule, but I did start running today. It wasn’t that much, but I would just like to say – GOAL ACCOMPLISHED!
It happened when we did the “miracle mile” workout. That is a mile walk, done in tenth of a mile increments with strength moves inbetween. Basically we walk a mile around the track then do about 30 seconds of something like squats or pushups. The options for it are to walk, jog, or run. We are never told what to do, it is always up to us to choose and go at our own pace.
I went into the workout assuming I would walk because my knee had been bothering me on the first walk of the morning and my hamstring has been tight. I did extra stretching this morning to work it out, so I felt good when we started. Someone mentioned running, then said something about me running (sounded like “you won’t do it”) which spurred me into running the first lap.
That first lap went well, but I decided since I haven’t been running in months that I should go easy on myself. So I walked the next lap. Then I ran one. Then walked. So on and so on until I finished the mile with running half and walking half.
Yeah, I ran a half mile.
And the best part is – it didn’t seem that hard.
I was expecting to be dying afterwards, but I wasn’t. On the last run lap Chelsea, the girl I was running with, kept speeding up because she thought I was trying to pass her. I was only trying to keep up with her, but the whole situation ended up in me basically running as fast as I could for a tenth of a mile. I was a bit out of breath at the end but overall I felt good and got my heartrate back down quickly. It really wasn’t that bad.
I’m a bit shocked by how easy it felt for me to run it. It’s just another test of my fitness level. Last time I was running it was not this easy or fun. (Well, running for me isn’t ever super fun, just fun that I can do it.) I’ve come a long way since the summer.
I’m tempted to sneak off on my own again later today and try to run/walk another mile. I don’t want to overdo it, but at the same time I want to repeat the performance so I can feel that amazement at myself once again. I’m proud of myself and excited that I keep pushing and challenging myself. I’m going to keep that up for sure.
Way to go! I started running in June with the hopes of successfully running a race at Thanksgiving. I thought it was a 5k, but luckily found out in advance it was an 8k. I am not ready to run 5 slow miles. I am very slow but I am confident I can finish running at my own speed :-).
Running can be very empowering. You did something today that many people can only dream to do!
Nice job! Nothing better than accomplishing a goal :)
.-= Blake´s last blog ..Great Monday Quote =-.
you rule. it’s always one step in front of the other. keep up the fab work :)
.-= Michelle @ Eatingjourney´s last blog ..Going Home =-.
yah!!! that’s awesome! even though i say i hate running/jogging, i secretly love when i can go just a little bit farther or a little bit faster…
don’t tell anyone i said that! i have street cred to maintain.
“goal accomplished”. rawk on.
.-= Laura´s last blog ..…um… =-.
atta girl!!! that’s all it takes! now you’ll start running longer and longer little by little and it’ll feel great! wooo wooooooo!!!!!
My favorite part about this is that jogging/running has become part of your natural progression to Kick Assdom. I love that! Great job!
Running is one thing i’ve never been successful at. However, i hope to start soon :) I’m so impressed with your progress.
I’m thinking of taking up running again. I need to change it up a bit.
.-= Yum Yucky´s last blog ..Italian Sub Slays Innocent Woman =-.
Bravo!!! There’s home for me – LOL (and my knee)
Yay for you! I haven’t done much running in a long time, but I’ve recently started running little bits during my walks. It really is great when I can get into it. Glad you’ve achieved another goal!
.-= Janet´s last blog ..Welcome to the Stalemate! =-.
Running is my one bug-bear – it’s one of those things that tends to fall by the wayside when something has to give. I’m determined to get into it, even though my hips tends to ache for days afterwards. Maybe my first step should be new shoes!
Well done on getting this goal done and dusted and proving to yourself that you CAN do it!
.-= Gemfit´s last blog ..Eye-opening thanks to technology =-.
That’s amazing! So happy for you.
whoo hoo! Congratulations!! :)
I felt the same way doing my fitness test the other day – was surprised that I was able to do more than I thought. And then after I’d finished I wanted to get right back at it and conquer it again. :)
Awesome work girl. You rock!
.-= Annie´s last blog ..Weekly Weigh In: Happy Happy Joy Joy! =-.
Sounds like you got a competitive fire lurking within you. Keep up the running :D.
.-= Tony´s last blog ..New Beginnings =-.
Mary, there is no doubt about it, you are improving your fitness level and abilities daily. That is fantastic.
.-= South Beach Steve´s last blog ..Motivation for Monday – Are You Trained? =-.
I just had a similar success story! I ran 2.4 miles on Friday and plan on running a 5k on Thursday! I’m only running like 1x/week so as not to get hurt or burned out :) Congrats!
.-= MackAttack´s last blog ..A view from the top =-.
Congrats on .5 mile! That’s terrific – just goes to show that slow and steady works! :D
.-= Biz´s last blog ..Love Bizzy Days in My Kitchen! =-.
YOU GO!!!! Very proud of all you have accomplished & undoubtedly will do more in the future!
yay!!! congrats on another goal!
:)
ive never really tried running…just the eliptical machine. always thought i’d look silly running around outside, esp through the city. actually, there are so many ppl in sf that it’s even hard to WALK because people are always blocking your way on the sidewalks.
.-= merri´s last blog ..Judging a Book by its Cover =-.
THANKS EVERYONE!!
@Amber
Thanks!! That’s great that you are running and will run a race! I’m super slow too, so I totally get that. I hope I can work up to 5 miles too!
@GemfitM
New shoes might help! I definitely have to get some new running shoes when I get home. I think that will help my knee tremendously. I
@Tony
I’m a tiny bit competitive. ;) Just a tiny bit. (Or a lot.)
@MackAttack
I totally missed your post on that! That is AWESOME!!!!! Way to go! And I love your idea of only running once a week. I think I might try that or maybe twice a week so I don’ get sick of it, which I will if I do it too often.
AWESOME!!
.-= Cammy@TippyToeDiet´s last blog ..Ripped from the Headlines =-.
Congratulations on your running and all of the good work you have done! You are doing great and are increasing your fitness level. Way to go!
Good for you!!
.-= SeaShore´s last blog ..Evolution =-.
Good job, Mary! Green Mountain has certainly been good for you!
Good job… I hate running. Probably more than working out the calves. It’s in the same realm of annoyingness, so all the power to ya.
Running really is quite awesome, I didn’t think I would like but once I started I’m trying to push myself more and more every day.
Congrats on getting back into it, and for your half mile :)
.-= Steve´s last blog ..Status Report: Week 7 =-.
Excellent! I love the feeling of accomplishment you get from achieving a goal. :)
.-= Merry´s last blog ..A running start… =-.
Just reading through your blog and found this. Congrats on hitting your goal. I have an old knee injury myself and I know my weight isn’t helping it any. I bought some good running shoes with cushion and that seems to help. But I also try and avoid running on concrete.
This is the main reason I read amerrylife.com. Amazing posts.