A Merry Life

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My Starting Point: Half A Mile

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Yesterday I went on a walk with my mom, as we have been doing the last couple weeks. We usually walk one mile to a park and then turn around and walk the mile back home. Two miles isn’t a ton, but it’s been good for my mom and given me a reason to keep up walking outside even when it’s so cold I’d rather just sit at home and be a big lazy baby. So yesterday despite the biting cold wind blowing in my face and my lack of a proper jacket we went for our normal walk.

We almost quit at the half mile mark cutting the walk in half, but we kept going. By the end of the first mile it warmed up a bit and the cold was less of a problem. As soon as it started warming up and we started approaching the park I decided that I would test out my new running shoes by actually running. I spent about 5 minutes thinking to myself, “You know what? You could run a little. You could probably run a lap! Yeah! You could totally do it! This shoes are awesome!”

running-feetDespite my little motivational thinking I didn’t think I could run a lap which is half a mile. I was just trying to psych myself up to run at all since it had been over a month since the last time I even tried to run and that last time was only .5 miles split into tenth mile bursts. So yeah, I wasn’t expecting much of myself despite my  motivational talk.

When we hit the park my mom sat down to rest and I started jogging along the path. It was pretty easy at first so I kept going past the point where I had told my mom I would stop. And then I kept going. Around a quarter of a mile my breathing went to crap, but I kept going anyway. I didn’t have music so on the last little stretch I was thinking, “OMG, what can I think about so I don’t have to think about running so I don’t have to stop?” I have no idea what I focused on but I made it around a lap.

GO ME.

It might seem kind of lame to be celebrating a half mile run, when other people I know are out there running so much more than that. But I’ve realized I’m not much of a runner, and I’m only doing it because I want to say I can. I want to finally run a freaking 5k and not die afterwards. I want to finally complete a triathlon, which I think is so cool. I don’t really see myself being someone who runs for fun or runs long distances, but I do want to be able to run 3 miles easily. So being able to jog half a mile is apparently where I am starting and I want to celebrate that because it is better than I thought it would be. It was actually kind of exciting and made me feel good.

Half a mile is progress for me. And now I know I need to go repeat that. And then do it again. And then again. And then build upon that more and more and more until I can run the 3 miles that I want to run. So I’m trying to psych myself up and realize that the progress might be slow, just like my weight loss, but I can do this. I just have to keep working at it… and get an ipod so I can have music when I jog along steadily.

So I know where I’m starting out and where I want to go. I just have to do the work to get there.

Comments

  1. I’m right there with you. Sometimes it’s discouraging to hear/read others’s struggle to run 10 miles when 1/2 a mile gets me out of breath, but you just have to keep in mind that they didn’t start at 10 miles. Even if they’re bodies were more “ready” for running, they had a starting point where they felt exactly the same as us and they worked through it. Good job :)
    .-= Rachel´s last blog ..a well-balanced meal =-.

    • I’ve tried C25K TWICE and never finished. I think I just have bad luck with it. I’m just going to kinda make up my own thing this time and see how it goes. :)

  5. Yay, YOU!! If you want to compare yourself to people and still feel good–compare yourself to folks like me! I don’t run at ALL. I used to have to run for the train sometimes when I lived in Boston and I would tell the conductor who was staring me down. . . “I can move my arms like I’m running, but it really isn’t going to get me there any faster!”

    All of us can only start where we are. There’s no beaming ourselves ahead. It’s all one step, on goal at a time!

    So, I repeat, Yay, You!

    • Thank you so much for this comment Sandy. It totally made me laugh and feel good.

      And you are totally right about the one step at a time, one goal at a time!

  7. Go you! A half mile is great especially when you haven’t done it recently and even then hadn’t done it as a full chunk.
    I’m also one of those people who sometimes look at my accomplishments and think boo, not as much as the person doing a half marathon. So what, I’m getting healthier in a way that works for me. I’m doing Couch to 5k again at the moment because one of my goals this year is to run (not walk a portion or many portions) a 5k, doing the program now will give me plenty of opportunities to complete my goal when the 5k season comes up, because even if I don’t get it the first 5k I try I plan to keep trying!

    So congrats to you for pushing yourself and for doing more than you thought.

  8. GO YOU! We all have to start out somewhere, running kills me. I work out hard but carrying my big 300 (295) pound frame makes me tired in a hurry! Running will obviously get easier as the pounds drop, but I can totally relate with you on the “I don’t think I’m much of a runner” mindset. Every day it will get better if you’re consistent. Great job!

  10. You Go Girl! I really believe whole-heartedly in the power of positive thought, and I love that expression, “if you think you’re going to fail, you probably will; if you think you’re going to succeed, you probably will”.
    .-= jackie callahan´s last blog ..Acts of Kindness =-.

  12. Every once in the while I feel like running. Since we have 8 inches of snow on the ground it’s a good excuse to not try. Frankly I’m afraid to try running. What if I can’t even run a small amount? Thanks for giving me hope. Maybe when it warms up I’ll give it a go.

  15. Hey, you should be VERY proud of yourself!! I can’t do that yet and I’ve been working out for a year now. So go YOU!!!

    If you’re constantly measuring yourself by others’ lives, you will never be happy. You are special and unique. You are the only person who gets to be you. Celebrate that there is only one you in the world, rather than dreaming of how to be someone else
    .-= Fattie Fatterton´s last blog ..Progresso “Souper You Debut” and Giveaway! =-.

  16. @Alison
    Good luck with the C25K!! It’s a great program even if I can never finish it. Hehe.

    @Ryan Sullivan
    The extra weight definitely makes running harder. It’s easy to get tired fast, which makes running suck even more. hehe. But yes, I think with consistency it will get better because it will get easier.

    @thin100
    You won’t know until you try!! Go see what you can do!!

    @anonymous fat girl
    Another reason why I’m never running a marathon!!

    @Fattie
    Oh, I know. But I just have to address that because so many crazy running peeps read my blog. Like I said, I’m proud of what I did.

  17. I love, love, love seeing people celebrating the ‘small stuff’ because all that small stuff adds up to big stuff — especially if you repeat the feat over and over again. Being able to jog 3 miles is a majorly kick-ass goal and totally achievable, especially for someone as driven yourself. You never know. Crossing that finish line might lead to more finish lines. That’s exactly what happened to me. After my first 5K, I decided to do the unthinkable — a 10K. And now? I’m going to start training for a half. I was never a ‘runner’ either. Even when I played softball, my coach used to joke by saying I ran as if there was a piano strapped to my back. Once you get going, it has the potential to become addictive.

    Keep goin!
    .-= BodyByPizza´s last blog ..Goals & Things =-.

  18. Any running is definitely awesome…I hated it at first but I’ve really gotten into it now. I thinking of signing up for a 5k in my hometown on Sunday. A triathalon would certainly be awesome, and I think I’d like tackle that after I got this running thing down pat :-P

    WooT to you!
    .-= Steve´s last blog ..Status Report and New Year Challenges =-.

  20. Hey Mary!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog! I have gotta say that I think yours is pretty darn swell! If running .5 is your starting point for running a 5K then that’s just what it is a starting point. It’s better than not starting at all.

    Looking forward to following your blog!

  22. Any time there’s progress in the right direction, that is a WIN. Nice job with the run. And yeah, definitely do a triathlon… you’ll love it. I started with a sprint a couple of years ago and this year going for 1/2 ironman distance. Keep going strong and always great to read your blog.
    .-= Blake´s last blog ..First Post of 2010 =-.

  23. Mary that is SO awesome!! I am also doing the c25k, but before I started it I was just seeing how far I could run! When I hit a half Mile I was spool happy! All I can say is that for me, it took about three weeks of running before I got over this “hump” which was basically an ” oh my gosh I’m gunna die” feeling. Once you get to that point, you kind of feel the same the whole time. I like running now more than other exceecising… Which is SO weird to me!
    .-= Nicole b´s last blog ..Wahoo!! Joyous celebration!! =-.

  25. Go you! We’re in the same boat I think – I want to run a 5k just so I can say I did and that I run. I’m not a runner (YET) and I’m not looking to be fast or furious. I’ve started the C25K program so many times and not finished it so this year I’m finishing it AND going to run a 5k race before the end of the year. You with me?
    .-= Gemfit´s last blog ..New year, new you =-.

  26. yahoo!! GOOD JOB!

    When I first started jogging, I went so slowly that walkers were passing me. And sometimes… they still do! But I learned that it’s easier to finish the distance if I jog suuuuuper slow. I mean SLOW. S-L-O-W!!! then My breathing isn’t all crazy and instead, I finish the distance triumphantly! That might help encourage you as you jog again. :)

    SO PROUD OF YOU!
    .-= Leila´s last blog ..Hunger for more than just food — JUICE!!!!!!!! =-.

  27. Ive actually never tried running outside. Weird huh? My best friend has been out of town and he couldn’t get to the gym one day and he tried it and he said it was HARD. And he’s in great shape… so I can imagine how difficult it would be for me, who’s just used to an eliptical. So YAY for half a mile! Especially in the cold and without music (working out without music is so much more difficult bleh).
    .-= merri´s last blog ..it’s a new decade! =-.

  28. Awesome! When I first started running, I was lucky if I could go even a tenth of a mile before taking walk breaks. That was four years ago — since then I’ve run 4 half marathons and countless smaller races. Everyone has to start small and build up. You’ll be running 5ks in your sleep before you know it!

  31. I completely understand your excitement. When I started C25k, just running those 60 and 90 minute runs was challenging, and the first time I ran for more than 5 minutes at a time, I was SO excited! Sure, others are running more than you are, but they all started somewhere. You’re doing great!
    .-= erin´s last blog ..When Life Gives You a Sore Throat, Blog About It =-.

  33. hey mary, way to go! that’s how i started running (years ago). on my daily walk i decided to try to take tiny (running) baby steps, barely lifting my feet off the ground. i didn’t care how stupid i looked and ran a mile! after about a year i was jogging 3 to 4 miles a day and ran pretty religiously for about 10 years. i miss it actually. hope all is well in your world!

  37. WAY TO GO. I’m reading your post and laughing because, like so many of us, I was in your shoes not so long ago. I wanted to run one mile, that’s all. I wasn’t nearly as brave as you (you just took off). My fitness coach, Dan, gave me a workout to build myself up (C25K didn’t work for me either). I’m 51 years old, never exercised before last year so frankly I was scared. Didn’t want injury or worse. On Thanksgiving day, I did it!!! I was so excited, I sent a text to everyone I knew. Just this past Sunday, I ran 1.5 and someone called me a “runner.” That @ blew my mind so Mary, YOU’RE A RUNNER now. Keep going, like they say practice gets you there. Great job and thanks for sharing. We are all in this together.
    .-= Sara´s last blog ..Momentum =-.

  39. Half a mile is great.

    I want to start running again. This past summer I made it to the 3rd week of C25K before I finally stopped. THis year I am hoping to complete it and run/jog a 5K!

  41. Hi there congrats on the running!! You might not think it, but running is probably going to become a bit of a hobby and stress outlet for you!

    I started the exact same way, I ran a half mile, then a mile, then three miles, now I am a marathon runner! And everytime I’m frustrated I just take a deep breath and say “Ok…I need to go for a run, when I get back I will see if I still want to hate you a little bit.” haha ok not that severe…but you know what I mean!

    I actually just started on this cellular nutrition program to suppliment my diet and make up for the fact that I SUCK at eating fruits and vegatables…I’m more of a land-faring creature eater…anyway the creator of the nutrition program actually won the nobel prize in nutrition and biochemistry for his work on it, and it’s been amazing! Really boosted the energy and got me out running even more!

    Keep us posted!!! I’d love to exchange war stories or compare what works! Shoot me an email at AlexiDouvas@gmail.com!

    Wishing you a happy and healthy new year!

  42. As an avid runner, I’d say hitting those milestones were more rewarding to me than actually being able to run for long distances regularly. Enjoy the journey :) Thanks for commenting on my post, it led me to your blog which is very awesome! Great work.
    .-= Kam´s last blog ..Why you should add berries to your diet =-.

  43. Congratulations!! I was in your same shoes where I could barely run a quarter of a mile, let alone 1/2 of one! I was frustrated and I desperately wanted to improve. And the cool thing is that with effort and determination, you WILL get better! I am proof, because running is NOT easy for me, nor does it come naturally.

    You’re awesome! :)
    .-= Lisa´s last blog ..Happy 2010! =-.

  44. I *was* going to comment the other day. But I was using my phone, and then I hit the wrong button and deleted the comment, and that was just too frustrating.

    So I’m just getting around to it today, well after the timeliness interim has expired.

    Still, here’s my two cents:

    I don’t know of anyone who really liked running when they first started. For most people, it was just something they had to do for some other sport, or felt like something they *need* to do to be a good human being. But very few people think, “You know what I love? Running. I could just run and run and never get tired of it.” We all (or at least I all) started running for some other reason. For me, it was triathlon. And running was my least favorite part of triathlon, and the part I was worst at.

    Then somewhere along the way, I fell in love with it. Now I run just because I enjoy it. Don’t get me wrong: it’s still hard some days to get up and out and do it. But that’s true of anything.

    I feel like running is sort of like an arranged marriage: spend enough time living with it, and you eventually fall in love.
    .-= Jamie´s last blog ..Spinning Workout 28 – Endurance =-.

  46. I think any start is a good start. I always remind myself of my girlfriend’s mom. She lost over 60 pounds and now runs marathons! I don’t compare myself to her but I know what is possible.

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