Let me preface by saying this:
To anyone reading this or any of my posts who is scared to start running or is terrified of week 5 day 3, I don't want to make this sound like a picnic. It's not.
While I've not had many issues with the program this time around, keep in mind that it has taken me about eight or nine YEARS to get to this point.
If I can do it, you can do it. Trust me on this one. Trust me.
If you only knew the struggles I've had with imposter syndrome, body image, weight, health, fitness, running, motivation and discipline... it's been hectic. It's been really hectic.
It's taken me a really long time to get to where I am now. And I still have a long way to go! I'm still learning every day. And loving it.
So. To anyone reading this: in five weeks, you can run 20 minutes. It might sound crazy. But you can.
Isn't that all sorts of incredible? 😊
++++++++++++++++++
I have attempted this program, God, maybe six times since about 2010. And it was always, always, this 20 minute run in week 5 that got to me mentally. I could never do it (not that I ever tried!) and would end up quitting or maybe repeating week 4 again and again. And then stopping altogether.
I've really got my health in order the last two years. My confidence has increased tenfold, which led to me just going out the door one morning earlier this year and I just... ran.
I ran for 20 minutes.
What what what.
So, in some ways, I feel like this round of the program has led to this point. Maybe it was that I already knew I could do it, but this run was easily the most enjoyable so far.
As always, the first few minutes was a bit yuck. But I got into my rhythm and settled in.
The podcast I listen to has all three runs in the one podcast for this week, with different notifications for each day. And, while I did fight it, I did find myself going, "okay, so if week 2 has just started their second run, that means we are eight plus five minutes into the run, so I have seven minutes to go, which means I'm about two thirds there, so I have to run about half of what I've already done".
But.
It wasn't because I was hating it and I wanted it to end already and was trying to psych myself up to finish. It was more just something to keep my mind occupied with some maths. I'll sneak in some mental maths any time that I can, ha.
I almost forgot I was running. Which sounds crazy. But there you go. When I was told I had finished, I was surprised. But proud.
And I'm still super proud as I sip my routine post-run mug of tea.
I did it, guys. I actually did it. I won't ever have to listen to the same podcast again. I can actually move onto week 6. This mental block that I've had for the better part of a decade is finally gone. Gooooone.
Wow.
Happy running 😊
Long time, no post...
Week 8…again, a long post
W7R3 wash out (long post soz)
1st post, wk3, running from scary beasts
