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.