I Can{not} Run

“I can not run” is a phrase I have said numerous times in my life – too many times to count. It finally hit me one day that by me saying I can’t, that I was telling myself no.  That I will never be able to accomplish anything that pushes me to my limits because there is always one thing standing in the way – myself.

I have always been a very active person. I workout at least once a day whether it is walking, swimming or Zumba. My running  journey started about a year ago when a friend wanted a workout partner to help hold her accountable. I was all for it, thinking I would be an awesome partner for someone because of how active I already am, but little did I know that it would actually be pushing me to overcome a fear that I always had in life, running.

We started out doing simple gym routines consisting of treadmill walking and increased our pace gradually. I would envy the speed she would reach, but would constantly say how I was unable to run,  telling myself that my body could never do that and I’ll just walk really fast.

Then it really sunk in. I had to overcome my doubts and negativity and just try. So I did. I failed horribly, or so I thought. I could only run one block, which almost killed me. I kept doubting myself, saying, I can’t do this.  I can not run.  I had a preconceived idea in my head that running meant that I had to be fast, and my legs at that time would not get to the speed that I had thought “as a runner” I had to be at.

A week later I gave it another try, but this time I decided I wasn’t going to run for anyone but myself. I wasn’t running to beat anyone in time, but to prove to myself that I could. I ran again, and this time I succeeded. I ran one whole mile! Oh, how good that felt emotionally. I just had to do it again.

For a month I started training for my very first 5k race – The Redbud Classic. I was still being really negative on myself by mentally thinking I couldn’t do it.  Then the day came and…I did it! Slowly but surely I ran that race. That is the moment I realized I CAN RUN.

Fast forward to today and I am still running! I am currently in progress training for the Oklahoma City Memorial Half–Marathon. I have worked my way up to EIGHT, yes EIGHT, miles!

Over this past year there are some beneficial key points that I have learned to turn me from an I CANT to an I CAN :

1. Find what works for you. It was so critical for me to find MY running pace. My run is basically skip walking, but hey, I am still moving. I believe my first ever mile that I ran was in 14 minutes. I am currently down to 11 minutes,  but believe me it is still skipping, and I am okay with that.
2. Become accountable to someone. I have had to find other women who enjoy, or is on a journey to enjoy, running. I make it a point to run with them. It is a great time for girl talk and motivation!

   

3. Make it fun. I have a “long” run once a week on Saturdays and recently started running to local restaurants for breakfast and having my husband meet me. It is so fun to see his face when he pulls up in a car while I just ran to our destination.
4. Stop telling yourself you can’t BECAUSE you can.

I would love to challenge other women out there who find themselves saying they can’t do something. Start small by setting a goal – start by walking the block.  Then gradually push yourself to go further.  Run the block, run a mile, just keep pushing.  There are lots of training schedules online or lots of apps for your phone that set training schedules for you.  I personally like Runkeeper, to track my distance and pace.

**Are you currently training for the half-marathon and would like to share why you are running in this marathon?  Let us know!  We’d LOVE to find 3-4 moms training for this event to let us share YOUR story.

Also,  Oklahoma City Moms Blog would love to get a team together, to push each other across that finish line.  Let us know if you’d be interested in joining up!  T-shirts and training schedules will be available if we get a big enough group. Ask your friends to join you in completing a major goal – a 5K or half marathon! Because YOU CAN!**

What are some challenges you have had to overcome, and how did you overcome them?