Today I went for my first ‘proper’ run in a long time (that’s running for the sake of running, not because I’m cutting it fine to catch my train). I’m married to a ‘proper runner’ who ‘pops out for a 10k’ 2 or 3 times a week, so it’s a little intimidating when I know my ‘run’ could be outpaced by a walk at times. But when you decide on something you want to do, it’s a good idea to just do it–any way you can.
So today, on my first ‘proper run’ for ages, I ran (the motion was running at all times, the speed could have been on a par with a fast walk!). I ran almost 6k without stopping. I wasn’t fast, but I kept going (I was actually only home about 5 minutes before ‘runner husband’ who did 10k!) BUT I didn’t stop. I ran the entire way. I had to fight to keep going as, after about 2k, my calves turned into bricks on the backs of my legs.
I do go to the gym, and bootcamp has taught me I can do a lot more than I think I can, but for me it was about setting a goal and going for it. Obviously, I didn’t go mad and try and keep pace with the runner in the family but I figured I could do ‘about 5k’. I also told myself speed was not important. I wasn’t there to win a race, just to make a point (to myself!) that I could do this.
The other motivating factor was the amount of lunch I could then eat later and feel I’d earned the calories already :)
Now, I’d love to say it was a glorious sunny day and I could run along the water’s edge in a gentle breeze listening to the waves. But, actually, it was pissing it down with rain and in the tail end of a storm (a storm that had a name too, so a serious one). One day, I’ll time everything perfectly...
But that’s like everything you do with your Thing... there very often isn’t a right time (or even a good time). There is time now, and now is when you can start. Decide what you want to do and take a step in that direction (I have no intention of training for a marathon, I might add, but some regular running is probably a good idea). Give yourself a mini goal and go for it. It’s always worth it for the sense of achievement (and imagine that in advance if it helps you get those running shoes on...)
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