Pictured above: Me and Amy at the Jingle Bell 5K in December 2009.
About 15 months ago, my friend Amy and I, were running the trail with co-workers one hot, summer day. As we ran, our group leader, ran the trail just floating along. Soft on her feet. She talked with no hesitation, without exhaustion. Terry stepped ever so lightly, as though she were running over glass. I marveled at her movements. I remember feeling so jealous of her effortless endurance and pace. I turned to Amy. “How does she do it?” I puffed. (We were only a few miles in.) She smiled: “She trains every week. It takes time. You’ll see, we’ll get there, too.”
I don’t usually do this. I don’t use my blog to write about too many personal things but it’s been so heavy on my mind and in each and every little thing that I do that I found it impossible to suppress. As many of you know, I’m training for a half marathon in August. As I got my last two training schedules from my trainer today, I couldn’t help but ponder over the fact that it’s already been five months. I’ve been training 6 days a week, one, sometimes two hours a day, preparing my body to endure a two-hour race and it’s almost actually here. I started working out a few years ago, just to live healthier and ended up running a few 5Ks. Now, 7 pounds lighter, a few inches thinner and running more than 10 miles per week, I realize what my journey has become. My journey to live healthier has turned into a true testament of my mental and physical capabilities. I’m so proud to say, I’M REALLY RUNNING THIS THING.
I now run more than I did 15 months ago. I owe a lot of that motivation to Amy and my co-workers. Without them, especially Amy, I wouldn’t be as disciplined as I am. We’re running 2-3 times per week. We’re making time for cross training in between, like group strength and Turbo Kick, which has increased our endurance and speed. It’s really amazing to see how far we’ve come.
It’s been tough. Between trying to fight fatigue, cramps, blisters, dehydration, exhaustion (at times) or that late night ice cream bar, I still go back at it, rarely missing a class or training session. My eating habits have completely changed. I guess you could say I’ve made exercise and healthy eating a regular habit. A habit that will never really go away. At least I hope.
But despite what I do or don’t do, I’ve stopped judging myself all the time. For those of you that know me, I get competitive at times. My goal is simple: Run 13.2 miles. Enjoy it. Savor it. Feel accomplished. Running is exhilarating. The more I train my body, the better I feel physically, mentally and emotionally. So for me, is well worth the aches and pains.
Wish me luck at the Chicago half marathon!
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