My first time

cessnaholly

No, that first time. Well, you are on MFP so maybe you think that first time. That's right, my first 5k. And I am freaking out a little bit. Here's why:

Done the MS 5k Walk for about 10 years. Always walked it. Have walked the whole thing a few times. But 6 years ago I had a tough pregnancy with bed rest for 3 months. Only allowed to the bathroom and back. Put on a lot of weight. Probably lost some muscle mass too. Husband got diagnosed with MS - TON of stress. Had a second baby - another tough pregnancy. Oh, and 2 broken ankles at the same time, off my feet for 2 months, in PT for 1.5 years, one foot didn't heal right. Yep - I'm a real winner. LOL. The last 6 years or so we've walked the walk. And not finished because I couldn't, the kids pooped out, my husband got too tired.

So here I am, over 1 year on MFP. Lost about 30 lbs. Just finished C25K Week 7 Day 3. New sneaks. Starting to see and feel muscles I forgot were there. So...this 5k Walk (which I am going to run) tomorrow has me freaked out.

Why? I don't know. I just keep thinking of that long walk. I've done it many times. It is beautiful. Lots of it is in the woods on a paved path. There's a snack/water station set up 1/2 way and at the middle mark (it is a loop). The people who walk it are so supportive of each other. There's cool things to look at (dogs - I love the dogs), neat t-shorts, funny kids, cars that beep at us. They have the guys in golf carts doing the loop to pick up folks who get stuck.

But, there's the part of me that is thinking, "What are you thinking?" It is supposed to POUR tomorrow. Which means wet and cold. I don't know if my dog can walk that far (he's only 7 months old but has a TON of energy) but I'm thinking yeah. My run = his slow walk anyway. I think about all the uphills that there are. There are two really big ones. Am I going to wimp out and walk more than run? Does it even matter if I run the entire thing? It isn't a race and no one but me is timing me. But then I also think about my brother the cop who could do this in his sleep. And I think of some of my other friends in better shape than I and know that they could do this. And of course, there's always the military - the folks who do this kind of thing in full gear in the rain before breakfast every morning. This would be just a warm up for them.

Why is this kicking my butt before I even start? This should be a no brainer. Why is this so scary and hard? I'm not even there yet? I've got 24 hours to get psyched. I can do public speaking - the worst thing in the world. Why am I so afraid to fail tomorrow?

migoi357

Don't think..DO! You're there, you're ready, you rock, you WILL kick the hills in the butt, you are going to breeze across the finish line with a smile on your face... huddle up...GO HOLLY Go...break.

grassette

Change your visualization. Imagine yourself running it all the way. See the obstacles in your head, and imagine yourself getting over them. Imagine yourself getting to the finish line, and how you will feel. Savour the victory.

Also, pace yourself in your head. You already know the course, See yourself meeting every challenge and overcoming it.

Use that power of positive thinking to set you up mentally.

Then when you do it, listen to your body. This is about a personal best. Don't injure yourself. And have fun doing it. Especially make it fun.

77tes

Tell the voices in your head to SHUT UP! :noway:
Let that new strong body do the work!:bigsmile:
Now that I know your story, I am even more impressed with your accomplishments! :drinker:
You ROCK! You have already won that 5k in 77tes's book. :flowerforyou:

cessnaholly

thanks guys.