2 Miles

Right before I started my new job, I had the random thought of trying one of the Couch to 5K running programs. I mentioned it to Mom and she decided to do it with me. I downloaded the app for my phone and on my first day of my new job back on April 25 I started Week 1 Day 1 of the program.

I am not a runner. I have never been a runner. In fact I made fun of my best friend for running cross country in high school. But, I decided I needed to do something. Going to a gym really isn't an option for me right now and I just can't commit myself to doing videos. But this was good for me. I could do it right outside my door, go early in the mornings, I had a specific goal of running on the beach, and I was doing it for me.

Mom helped keep me accountable, because seriously... if you're Mom is doing it, then surely you can do it too. But ultimately it was up to me to get my clothes ready the night before, set my alarm early, and then actually get out of bed.

I have never once regretted getting up and completing my run for the day.

I have pushed myself and done something I never thought I would do. Something anyone who knows me probably never thought I would do! When I told Lynz, I asked her to please not run off the road over what I was about to tell her because I knew she would be shocked!

It has not been easy. The program is for 9 weeks and by the end you should be able to run 30 minutes. It's taken me longer than that. It took me a while to get past needing to walk at about 15 minutes and in fact, just yesterday I was ready to walk after about 10 minutes. But I pushed on, knowing that I could do it.

I was getting a little down on my self yesterday for wanting walk after just 10 minutes and for some reason I started thinking about my Grandma Kay telling my brother to use Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." when he was out on the pitcher's mound and he started doubting himself. I imagined her telling me the same thing about my running. Oh how I needed that little reminder. I even got cold chills despite my sweating like crazy. I needed the reminder not just for my running, but in all areas of my life right now. Life is not always easy, but I can do it with Christ.

Yesterday, I ran for 30 minutes and 2 miles.

Now, I still have a little ways to go to get up to the 5k which is 3.1 miles, but I'll get there. We haven't picked a race yet, but there are a couple in October that I think we're going to try and run.

I still have to make the choice to get up and do my run. But I never regret that choice.