I Think I Can, I Think I Can

This summer I decided to do this...

 Which went pretty much like this...

And for some CRAZY reason, led me to do this...

Let's review... I am not a runner. Up until this summer, the most I had ever, and I really mean ever, run at one time was ONE mile. Yes just one. And let's be honest, it wasn't a run it was always a jog or a running-like motion at a walking pace. I hated running, with a passion. 

In middle school each year they made us do a fitness test and we had to "run" the mile in under 14 minutes. (We wonder why we have such a problem with childhood obesity?) So I would walk it every single year in about 13 minutes and 59 seconds. In high school, I cheered and every summer we had to run the mile during every morning practice. I felt like it was going to kill me every day. 

When my mom came down here to help out during James' chemo treatments, she thought it would be a great idea to take Isla running everyday. Of course when she left, Isla was expecting me to take her running. I know that sounds silly but she did, it was a new part of her routine. 

The first time I went running was just fan-freaking-tastic! No... I "ran" 1.13 miles. The furthest I had ever run in my entire life, and I was so proud of myself because "I only walked maybe 50 yards of it!" When I came in beet red and barely breathing, James was a little concerned but mostly was just trying not to laugh at how proud I was of my 1.13 mile run. (James played some college football so he knows a little about running...) 

It sparked a little determination in me though and I decided to sign up for the Color Me Rad 5k. It was a few months away so I knew I had time to get from my slow 1.13 miles to 3.2 miles. My goals were simple: run 5 days a week and each time run a little further and a little faster, and not walk a step! When I say a little, I mean a little. Some days it was literally 10 steps. That was all I could do but it was better than the day before and that was good enough for me. And when you feel like your love handles are jiggling to the tune of "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.." you tend to want to keep going. 

This was something I needed. I realized that it had been a long time that I had set a goal just for me that I could control (almost) 100%. I could only rely on myself to make my goal and I was determined. I wasn't fast, most days I only ran 11-12 minute miles, but I didn't walk and I met my daily goal. 

When race day came I was super nervous. I didn't have my MapMyRun app telling me how far I had gone or how fast I was going and I was nervous about keeping my pace and wearing myself out too fast. After the race I figured out that I had run the race in about 30 minutes, so about 10 minute miles, I was so excited. It wasn't until I looked at the official race photos that I realized I actually ran it in 24 minutes! That was amazing for me! I was so proud of myself and how far I had come.

I had been tossing the idea of signing up for a marathon around and this inspired me to just sign up and do it. The Phoenix marathon was the perfect one to start with. It's in the spring so I have a beautiful Arizona winter to train through. I've officially started marathon training and I'm just following a schedule that I found on Pinterest and slightly modified. I don't like running on Sunday,  that's when James and I spend the most time together, so I bumped everything back a day. 

We are hoping to start another round of in-vitro this spring and I want this to be an opportunity to prepare myself mentally and physically. The last time we did in-vitro, it caused me to gain weight and it's pretty emotionally and physically exhausting. Running has become therapy for me and I hope it can continue to help me through whatever happens with our next attempt at having a baby. 

The biggest thing I have learned through training is that you can do anything you truly set your mind to. It's all about baby steps and not making excuses. Set goals and meet them, and set realistic goals! You can do it! Also, I know I'm often this person, but stop "pinning" and start DOING!