How I Am Going To Prove Myself Wrong

posted 29th November 2011    Written by: Ashley    CATEGORY: All Posts, Ashley, Life Lesson, Season 5, What I've Learned

Today I ran 3 miles in 36 minutes. Yesterday I ran 3 miles in 39 minutes. The day before that I ran 3 miles in41 minutes. And before that? Well, there’s no record of that because I didn’t run.

In elementary and middle school I hated gym class, specifically anything that involved running. I have never been the “sporty” type, but I stayed active through dance classes and gymnastics. I guess that’s why I feel so drawn to yoga. I love finding new poses and positioning my body to create art, but running has never been my thing. Okay, to be completely honest, I ran/walked a 5k once and I usually run a mile once or twice a week at the gym. That’s it.

I’m not a runner. Or at least, I wasn’t.

Then I spent a weekend in Boston with my friends and they were talking about running a half-marathon in February and I couldn’t stop myself from saying “I want to run it too!”

You know how everyone has those “30 Before 30″ and  ”Life Lists”? I have one of those too, in my head. And one of my goals is to complete a half-marathon. So, now I’m going to actually do it.

I’m only one week into the training program, but I can already feel the changes. My quads are sore and feel like they are trying to rip apart every time I sit down, but besides that? I feel healthier. I feel stronger. My time has improved each day and I love the extra motivation to try harder during the following workout. Also, it might be my imagination, but I can kind of already see more definition in my legs which is awesome.

It’s also challenging. Obviously. My breathing is pretty awful because I haven’t quite figured out how to  keep breathing while running. And I’m still learning how to pace myself. I’m learning that on a treadmill it’s much easier to run slower and therefore, run further. But outside, even with the running app on my phone, I run much faster than I do inside. And the weather! Did you know there isn’t air conditioning on the trails in the park? It’s just windy and humid (and a high of 83 degrees today!), so that make it a bit more difficult.

It’s like any big accomplishment, though. I mean, when I applied to college, and later, graduate school, I knew what I was getting myself in to. I knew I would have to read thousands of pages, spend countless hours writing papers, and work my butt off. When I decided to become a counselor, I knew it would be a process. I knew it wouldn’t happen overnight. I would have to work for it. Just like anything else in life. Just like this half-marathon.

There are going to be times when I want to stop, I’m sure. But I won’t.

I know what I want.

I want to finish. I want to push myself further than I ever have before. I might get a few blisters along the way, but that’s okay. I will run through the pain. I want to prove myself wrong. I want to prove that I can do this. I also want to have fun. I want to walk away feeling proud of myself and feeling accomplished. I want to feel encouraged and unstoppable.

The race is February 19th. I have an intention. I have several weeks to train. I have accountability partners. I have a schedule. And I have the cutest pair of new running shoes.

I’m ready.

[photo credit: Me; my cute new running shoes!]

Bookmark and Share
Comments (2)

2 Responses to “How I Am Going To Prove Myself Wrong”

  • KristenCF Says:
    November 30th, 2011 at 6:06 am

    This is so awesome! I'm pumped for you as a virtual cheerleader:)
    In summer 2010 I did my first ever 5K- I was never ever a runner and can honestly say I hated the whole process from start to finish because I wasn't doing it for me ( it was something my ex husband sort of pushed onto me). But I have really wanted to be a runner because I know it would be one of the ultimate challenges for me to push myself in a way that I never ever thought possible. Even though I finished the 5K ( though walked through most of it), I still don't feel like a runner because I didn't enjoy it or have any sense of self satisfaction.

  • superawesomeashley Says:
    November 30th, 2011 at 1:17 pm

    Thanks, Kristen! I'm so excited! I did a 5K race once back in February, but didn't train at all and ended up walking most of it. I'm hoping I make better progress during the half. :)

Leave a Reply

name*


email* (will not be published)


website


comments