The Scribbling Novelist: Couch to 5K: Week One

Monday, June 10, 2013

Couch to 5K: Week One

One of the worst things about my childhood was having to do the mile run once a year. I know it sounds stupid (and trivial), but when you're a fat kid and everyone else is finishing LONG before you...it has a way of killing your confidence. And I've always been sensitive, so it REALLY killed my confidence. I felt like a failure each time I tried to run. I cried a lot. I hated it.

So, for years I avoided running or doing anything that involved a lot of physical movement that would draw attention to myself (showing anyone else how difficult it was for me to complete). Or anything that I assumed I would fail at (ie, running).

I've been on a journey toward healthiness for a year and a half now (I'm one pound away from a loss of fifty). Recently, while walking, I've had the following thought: "I could probably start jogging now."

Shocker.

I've always been one to trust my body, so.... I decided to tackle a couch to 5k running program last week and successfully completed week one (three 20 minute run/walk sessions). At the end of each I actually felt like I could do a little more. I'm really proud of myself. This is no easy thing for me... but it's breaking some preconceived notions about my ability. I can totally do this.

I'm on to week two. It's definitely more of a challenge, but I finished the first run of three and didn't die. I say that's a big achievement.

3 comments:

nikki said...: so awesome! keep going!; June 13, 2013 at 12:30 PM
Jammi said...: The first few weeks are always the hardest since it's actually *doing* it that's the difficulty, but you've passed the first part and it's always nice when you can actually feel your improvement!; June 15, 2013 at 12:26 AM
Tanya said...: Thanks, Nikki!!

Jammi, it really is nice to feel an improvement. Each run really does get just a little easier. I feel like I'm accomplishing something. Now, if I could get the same motivation to do situps, I might be on a roll! :); June 15, 2013 at 5:50 PM

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