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Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Something Happened

Yesterday started like a typical Tuesday.  I went to school, taught 6 classes, thought about beating my head against a wall at least twice, and came home to get a work out in.  During the afternoon I had already decided to run outside.  Once I got home, I set the goal to run 6 miles.  That is two laps through my neighborhood and would be the farthest distance I have ever ran at one time.

As I took off running, I was going at a 9:15 mile pace for the first two and a half miles.  I knew if I was to go the entire 6 miles I needed to slow down.  There was one point {while still on my first lap} I wasn't sure if I would be able to keep going for another whole lap.  As I passed my house after completing lap one, I stopped briefly to take a drink from the water bottle I had left outside.  That reenergized me and I kept going.  Before I knew it, I looked down at my watch and I was at 5.6 miles.  I had just 4 tenths of a mile remaining. 

I was going to do it.  

I had set the goal to complete my 6 miles is less that 1 hour and 10 minutes.  I knew that was far more than a ten minute mile pace, but since this was the longest distance I had ever run, I didn't want to kill myself {read: frustrate myself and quit because my mind told me I couldn't do it}.  

I finished my run in 1:06.  

I did it.


It was slower than I would have liked and I walked more times than I would have liked.  But I did it.  It wasn't a perfect run, but my neighbor told me when I got back, "each time you run, that distance will get easier and easier."  He's right.   And at the time, that was just the thing I needed to hear. 

I cannot say I have experienced "runners high" yet, but I did feel the incredible sense of accomplishment and pride when I finished this run.  

Something happened yesterday.... I became a runner.

9 comments:

  1. That is awesome!! I swear that one day I am going to be able to run like you ladies. I am going to get through this stupid couch to 5k if it kills me!!

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  2. Congrats! I'm hoping to one day call myself that as well....we will see.

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  3. WTG girl... that is awesome and feels so good to accomplish. So proud of you.

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  4. SO AWESOME!!! You should be SO SO proud!!

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  5. I love this post - GREAT JOB :) That's incredible! I love running for this post alone :)

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  6. YAY!! Great job lady!! Just keep running. It does get easier. :)

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  7. You freaking are amazing!!! I will never forget the first time I ran 5 miles. I thought I was on top of the world because I never before knew it was something I could do.

    Keep it up! That half ain't got nothin on you!

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  8. way to freaking go! that half is gonna be your B!

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