I Am Not A Runner
We're going to talk about one of my most hated and my most valued activities: running. I want this post to be an encouragement to you. I want to walk you through how I reached what I view as a major accomplishment in my life and the tools I used to get there. I want you to know you are capable of so much more than you ever thought possible.
I have never been a runner. Literally, I could not jog down my street without feeling out of breath. So, logically, when my cousin asked me to do a 10k with her, I agreed right away. Our street that I could not run down is a little under one quarter of a mile, and she wants me to run over six miles. No problemo. It was late October maybe early November, and the Cowtown 10k was February 22nd. Let the training begin.
People assume when you are thin, you are fit. That is not case. I have always been thin thanks to my genes, but I do nothing to deserve it. I was in terrible shape. To clarify: when I say I lost my breath running down my street that is putting in nicely. In fact, it gets much worse (and slightly embarrassing) than that. I couldn't vacuum the house without losing my breath. Now, I had acknowledged that exhaustion from household tasks was not normal and certainly not healthy. I had even been to my doctor to voice my concerns. She assured me that I didn't have asthma, but that it was probably an issue related to my allergies, gave me a steroid shot, and sent me on my way. I guess it didn't cross her mind to tell me to get off my lazy butt an exercise my lungs. Of course their going to get tired vacuuming if chores are your idea of strenuous exercise!
Anyways, my lovely cousin had done the run before and suggested I use the 10K Runner app. And let me tell you, it is wonderful.
Yes, I realize I have 35 updates. No, I do not have plans to do the updates. Don't judge me.
Back to the important stuff: Its a fourteen week program, three days a week. The app tells you when to run and when to walk and provides you with encouragement along the way. And it works in minutes, not miles. I love this, because miles sound like such a feat. I can handle thinking in terms of minutes; they are much less intimidating. I had tried to use the 5K Runner app (eight weeks) before, but I didn't have a race I was working towards, so of course I gave up at week five. But I paid money for this 10K and for the app, so by golly I was going to do it!
I was very consistent through mid-December then Christmas time came around, we were out of town visiting family, and I veered a little off course. You know, turkey, pie, presents, travel…all the things that scream "STICK WITH YOUR EXERCISE ROUTINE" just weren't doing for me.
Luckily, January 1st rolled around, and I was back on track! (Thank you, New Years!) But this is where the app started teaching endurance. We're not talking five minute runs anymore. Oh no, we're talking eight, ten, even fifteen minute runs before a walking break! That's just nonsensical! What am I? An olympian?
Thank heavens I started using Young Living Essential Oils in January. I thought to my self, as I think to myself daily now, there's an oil for that. I looked through my stash and chose this beauty:
By the time February arrived I had gone from hating every minute of my runs to craving them. The pain and challenge never really went away and I still don't particularly enjoy myself while running, but my attitude about running did a complete one eighty. I realized how good it made me feel - both inside and out. I had mental stamina I have never experienced, and my body had really firmed up. I was incredibly proud of myself. I found myself going from praying to make it one more minute to praising God for giving me the ability to achieve distances I never imagined possible!
Come February 22nd my longest run was fifty minutes non-stop, just under five miles. Due to my Christmas shenanigans I didn't quite have the entire fourteen weeks to complete the app, but I didn't even care. I was ready. And guess what?! We did it!
My steps to success:
1. Have a goal. You cannot reach your goal if you do not have one. Whether its one mile, a 5k, or a triathlon, you need something to work towards - something more tangible than just wanting to get in shape.
2. Have a plan. Thank heaven for 10K Runner!
3. Have someone to keep you accountable. My cousin and I texted each other after each run, and if we hadn't heard from one another in a few days we would check up on one another. My hubs was also really helpful with this.
4. Have motivation. My motivation was my cousin (I certainly wasn't going to let her down), my pride, and the $36 I spent on registration. Yes, thirty six dollars is enough to motivate me.
5. Be consistent. Period.
6. Take care of your mind, not just your body. I did this with Valor and prayer.
7. Believe in yourself. Have pride. Believe that you not only can accomplish your goal but that you deserve to accomplish your goal. And do not be too hard on yourself. Progress comes slowly, and it is well worth the effort!
I still don't consider myself a runner. I will never run a six minute mile. I am slow as a turtle. I have no desire to run marathon after marathon, and that is ok. But my pace will improve, as will my distance, and will I continue to push myself. Maybe one day I'll be a runner, but today I am just a girl who had a goal and made the decision to meet it. Simple as that.
Hugs, kisses, and best of luck on all of life's adventures! Whatever your goal is, you CAN achieve it!
Paige
I have never been a runner. Literally, I could not jog down my street without feeling out of breath. So, logically, when my cousin asked me to do a 10k with her, I agreed right away. Our street that I could not run down is a little under one quarter of a mile, and she wants me to run over six miles. No problemo. It was late October maybe early November, and the Cowtown 10k was February 22nd. Let the training begin.
People assume when you are thin, you are fit. That is not case. I have always been thin thanks to my genes, but I do nothing to deserve it. I was in terrible shape. To clarify: when I say I lost my breath running down my street that is putting in nicely. In fact, it gets much worse (and slightly embarrassing) than that. I couldn't vacuum the house without losing my breath. Now, I had acknowledged that exhaustion from household tasks was not normal and certainly not healthy. I had even been to my doctor to voice my concerns. She assured me that I didn't have asthma, but that it was probably an issue related to my allergies, gave me a steroid shot, and sent me on my way. I guess it didn't cross her mind to tell me to get off my lazy butt an exercise my lungs. Of course their going to get tired vacuuming if chores are your idea of strenuous exercise!
Anyways, my lovely cousin had done the run before and suggested I use the 10K Runner app. And let me tell you, it is wonderful.
Back to the important stuff: Its a fourteen week program, three days a week. The app tells you when to run and when to walk and provides you with encouragement along the way. And it works in minutes, not miles. I love this, because miles sound like such a feat. I can handle thinking in terms of minutes; they are much less intimidating. I had tried to use the 5K Runner app (eight weeks) before, but I didn't have a race I was working towards, so of course I gave up at week five. But I paid money for this 10K and for the app, so by golly I was going to do it!
I was very consistent through mid-December then Christmas time came around, we were out of town visiting family, and I veered a little off course. You know, turkey, pie, presents, travel…all the things that scream "STICK WITH YOUR EXERCISE ROUTINE" just weren't doing for me.
Luckily, January 1st rolled around, and I was back on track! (Thank you, New Years!) But this is where the app started teaching endurance. We're not talking five minute runs anymore. Oh no, we're talking eight, ten, even fifteen minute runs before a walking break! That's just nonsensical! What am I? An olympian?
Thank heavens I started using Young Living Essential Oils in January. I thought to my self, as I think to myself daily now, there's an oil for that. I looked through my stash and chose this beauty:
Valor. It may sound hard to believe, but out of all my oils and all my oily loves, my favorite (yes, I actually have a favorite) is Valor. And it is probably my favorite because of how helpful it was to me during this challenge. I will dive into the ingredients of this blend and its plethora of uses when it comes up in the Everyday Oils series, but for now just let me say it is useful in promoting feelings of strength, courage, and self-esteem. This is exactly what it did for me. Before each run I applied one drop of valor to each wrist and the bottom of each foot. The effects were immediate and undeniably noticeable. Instead of beating down on myself for feeling tired and weak, and found myself feeling encouraged and believing I was capable of finishing each day's goal. For me, it was like an awakening. I was strong enough and had the endurance to complete each run.
Now that I was able to get past the mid-range, twenty to thirty minute runs (at the end of the app you should be able to run sixty minutes without stopping), my challenge was finding something to focus on other than the aches in my chest, legs, and feet. I found my refuge in prayer. I made the decision not to listen to music while I ran. Music is great. I have nothing agains it. I think going into longer runs I will probably use music. But spending thirty to sixty minutes in prayer while I ran seemed a very reasonable and productive way to spend my time. I would pray for anyone and anything that came to my mind. My best runs were when I planned out who and what I would be praying for before the run. Honestly, it was some of the most intimate and precious time I have ever spent with my Lord and Savior.
By the time February arrived I had gone from hating every minute of my runs to craving them. The pain and challenge never really went away and I still don't particularly enjoy myself while running, but my attitude about running did a complete one eighty. I realized how good it made me feel - both inside and out. I had mental stamina I have never experienced, and my body had really firmed up. I was incredibly proud of myself. I found myself going from praying to make it one more minute to praising God for giving me the ability to achieve distances I never imagined possible!
Come February 22nd my longest run was fifty minutes non-stop, just under five miles. Due to my Christmas shenanigans I didn't quite have the entire fourteen weeks to complete the app, but I didn't even care. I was ready. And guess what?! We did it!
All in all, we ran about five and half of the six point one miles. We ran four and half miles, walked about half a mile, and ran the last one point one miles. IT WAS AWESOME!!! I had a blast, and I will definitely do it again! In fact, I just signed up for my very first half marathon! 13.1 here I come!
My steps to success:
1. Have a goal. You cannot reach your goal if you do not have one. Whether its one mile, a 5k, or a triathlon, you need something to work towards - something more tangible than just wanting to get in shape.
2. Have a plan. Thank heaven for 10K Runner!
3. Have someone to keep you accountable. My cousin and I texted each other after each run, and if we hadn't heard from one another in a few days we would check up on one another. My hubs was also really helpful with this.
4. Have motivation. My motivation was my cousin (I certainly wasn't going to let her down), my pride, and the $36 I spent on registration. Yes, thirty six dollars is enough to motivate me.
5. Be consistent. Period.
6. Take care of your mind, not just your body. I did this with Valor and prayer.
7. Believe in yourself. Have pride. Believe that you not only can accomplish your goal but that you deserve to accomplish your goal. And do not be too hard on yourself. Progress comes slowly, and it is well worth the effort!
I still don't consider myself a runner. I will never run a six minute mile. I am slow as a turtle. I have no desire to run marathon after marathon, and that is ok. But my pace will improve, as will my distance, and will I continue to push myself. Maybe one day I'll be a runner, but today I am just a girl who had a goal and made the decision to meet it. Simple as that.
Hugs, kisses, and best of luck on all of life's adventures! Whatever your goal is, you CAN achieve it!
Paige
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