After All These Years of "No I Can't!"...I Can Actually Run?
cathleenmaryoh
Posts: 7
I'm proud of myself today. I ran 5 straight minutes during my workout. Granted, the first two minutes I spent fighting myself, knowing I had three more minutes to go, but I did it! I know it's a little lame, but I cried when I got in my car afterwards because I've spent the past five years of my life doubting my ability to do anything fitness wise. My goal is now to make it to 45 straight minutes of running, but I know I have a long road to go before I reach that. It's just crazy how telling yourself that you can't do something, so many times over so many years, really gets you to believe your own lies. Hope everyone enjoys their Flag Day!
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Replies
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Congratulations!
Most of the battle is getting over the mental cloud that inhibits you from meeting your goals0 -
Congrats soon you will be running for 10 mins...then eventually to 30 mins.0
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Awesome! I've never been a runner, didn't want to be one, never tried to be one. Until January of this year. I wanted an exercise I could do almost anywhere, and I wanted a challenge. So I started the c25k program. Worked like a charm. I was amazed at how quickly I progressed, and around Week 6, when the program looked like a huge jump in running time & I thought I could never do it - I went for it, and I DID IT!
Ran my first 5k race Memorial Day Weekend and loved it - also got my personal best 5k time and fastest mile to date. Now I've started a 10k trainer program that picked up where c25k left off.
A favorite quote: "There are things you think you cannot do - you have no idea how strong you are until you try!" ~Jillian Michaels0 -
Congrats. I am actually feeling the same way today. I just started to C25k plan, i did it one day last week and said there is no way I can do this. I spent the last three days not exercising and really beating myself up about it. Today I got on that treadmill and I did it. I had to take a break in between, but I did it. It feels good to be rpoud of yourself doesnt it?0
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I just completed my first consecutive mile (with no walking interval breaks) last week (I had never run before May!) and I felt like a champ (even though I still have a long way to go). Enjoy your victory and keep running 0
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Congratulations, way to stick through those first few tough minutes. Keep slowing increasing your time and you will be amazed at what you can do. I started running in the fall, did my first 5K without walking on Thanksgiving and last weekend ran over 8 miles in 1 1/2 hours. I get choked up everytime I start and finish a race because I still can't believe what I have been able to do.0
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AWESOME!!!! I completely understand what a big victory this is. I can now run 3.1 miles. I had never run more than 1/2 a mile before and that was as a kid!0
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Keep it up! Those wonderful milestones just keep happening. First 5 minutes, then 10 minutes, then one mile non-stop, then 30 minutes non-stop, then a 5K, then a 10K. Relish each and every one!0
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Congratulations! You'll be increasing toward your goal in no time, and then setting new ones.0
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I started the Couch to 5K program in March. I just completed my 1st 5K (45 minute) run on Monday night.
It does get easier and you will start to enjoy running. (I used to think people should only run when someone with an axe was chasing them ~ now I look forward to my runs)
Step by step, every day gets easier. (and yes, most of it is mental training...I almost always have 4-5 moments where I think I can't do it but then I look at my time and say...I ain't stopping now!)
Head down, one foot in front of the other and keep us posted on your progress!
You've got this....0 -
Agree with so many of the posters regarding the couch to 5k program. I started 6 weeks ago and I was that person that could not run 1 minute without feeling like my lungs were coming up through my nose. My last 'run' had two segments of 8 minutes running and I couldn't believe that I was able to complete it. Congrats on the 5 minutes!!0
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YAY! Every journey begins with but one step! CONGRATULATIONS!0
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That is awesome! And I cried after I ran my first 5K. The fact that I accomplished it and my hubby and daughter were cheering me at the finish line...that's all I needed!
Don't stop, you will be surprised after time how much your body will adapt to running and how long you will be able to go without stopping. It is a great feeling 0 -
That's great! When I first started running, my goal was to run for 1 minute straight, and that was tough for me. 6 months later, I ran my first marathon. Just increase your goals a little at a time, and you'll be where you want to be before you know it. Good for you!0
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I had the very same (and emotional!) "ah-HA!" moment when I started running!! You'll get to 45 minutes in no time, just keep telling yourself not only that you CAN do it, but you WILL do it. I have recently started using mental rehearsal to get myself in the zone to really give it my all every workout and it's paying off. Visualize every step of your workout, every lap of your run, how fast you're going to move your legs, how you're going to breathe, and execute It's never been a question of your ability, darling!!! Congratulations and keep on running! 0
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that is pretty awesome!!!!0
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I'm looking forward to that same accomplishment. Congrats!0
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The first step is the hardest.......
Be patient, don't try to progress too quickly. Listen to your body, a little soreness is normal pain is not. Be consistent, consistency is one of the biggest "secrets" that any successful person practices whether it's running or playing a musical instrument practice consistently.
Most importantly......have fun!0 -
Congratulations! I'm still working on the mind over body thing myself. I'm "training" for my first 5K in July. I can only get up to 2.5 miles, but when I get tired I tell myself, "one more song, you can stop after one more song". Also, the Rent soundtrack really helps me too. The music and the story get me though at least 25 minutes. I may not be able to run the whole 5K, but I'll definitely be able to finish!
Good luck with the next 5!0 -
you jusst inspired me to get my running shoes of after 8 months of excuse asn not running first run today even if it is only 5 mins0
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Good stuff! Keep at it! 0
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So GOOD to hear this!
I used say the same thing about ZUMBA -- me, dance for an hour? Never. Learn the steps? Never. Amazing what happens when you acutally TRY something.0 -
Now you'll really start to surprise yourself with everything you CAN do! I hate the first 5 minutes of every workout until my breathing settles into a rhythm and I get my sweat on. But then? Then I'm in the zone and the fatigue is easier to beat back. It's kind of a miracle when I think about it, because I didn't think I could either --- and probably for a lot longer than you did.0
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I'm proud of myself today. I ran 5 straight minutes during my workout. Granted, the first two minutes I spent fighting myself, knowing I had three more minutes to go, but I did it! I know it's a little lame, but I cried when I got in my car afterwards because I've spent the past five years of my life doubting my ability to do anything fitness wise. My goal is now to make it to 45 straight minutes of running, but I know I have a long road to go before I reach that. It's just crazy how telling yourself that you can't do something, so many times over so many years, really gets you to believe your own lies. Hope everyone enjoys their Flag Day!
WTG Cathleen! That very first run is usually the most difficult, mainly because it includes confidence that is sadly lacking. However, once you complete your mission, as you have found, your confidence soars and you will now be okay.
Enjoy your running, to me it is one of the best activities going, I am bias, I adore it lol. You will make it to that 45 minute straight and more I would bet!0 -
Congratulations!!!
How did you start? I just recently tried running and did fine the first week, then hurt my knee : ( So not sure what I'm doing wrong.0 -
Congratulations! I'm still working on the mind over body thing myself. I'm "training" for my first 5K in July. I can only get up to 2.5 miles, but when I get tired I tell myself, "one more song, you can stop after one more song". Also, the Rent soundtrack really helps me too. The music and the story get me though at least 25 minutes. I may not be able to run the whole 5K, but I'll definitely be able to finish!
Good luck with the next 5!
There is one other way you could push up your mileage you know, everytime you go out training, attempt just another 200m more. You see 200m is not a long stretch, but after two training sessions, you will have added another quarter of a mile to your distance.
I reckon you are more than capable of running the whole 5k, seriously. Best wishes for your race in July.0 -
When I got out of ICU last year, I could only walk about 300 yards and then I needed a 2 hour nap. A year later I ran my first 5K, and last week I ran a 10K in 59 minutes. You can it.. Lots of training programs like C25K.0
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Congrats! It is a big thing. Don't minimize it...be proud!
I remember when I joined the Running Room's clinic in January I was terrified (and I mean TERRIFIED) of running at a 1:1 ratio...yes, running for 1 minute walking for 1 minute off and on for a distance of 1.5 kms... I was actually so scared that I bailed on my first class. I showed up, saw all the people through the window and made my fiance turn the car around... I just couldn't work up the nerve to go in there. Then I cried myself to sleep because I was so angry at myself and felt so pathetic for being so scared.
That being said, the next week I forced myself to go and I am so glad that I did! It is the best decision I have ever made. I have been running for 5.5 months now and can run at a 10:1 ratio for a distance of up to 6.5km... I still don't consider myself a runner, and there are still days where I struggle... THere are still days where I can't run as well as I did the day before...but I keep at it and keep trying.
The most important part of it all is that I am challenging myself and my body...and it makes me feel so proud!
Practice really does make perfect! Keep at it and I am sure you'll reach your goals.0 -
i totally understand the crying. i am not even at the stage where i can run at all right now (high impact kills my knees right now), and i have dreams of 5ks, running in beautiful scenery, etc. i know when i lose enough to be able to start running i will be bawling my eyes out -- even if i can only run for 2 minutes.
slowly, yet surely, we will reach our goals. 0 -
Congrats! It is a big thing. Don't minimize it...be proud!
I remember when I joined the Running Room's clinic in January I was terrified (and I mean TERRIFIED) of running at a 1:1 ratio...yes, running for 1 minute walking for 1 minute off and on for a distance of 1.5 kms... I was actually so scared that I bailed on my first class. I showed up, saw all the people through the window and made my fiance turn the car around... I just couldn't work up the nerve to go in there. Then I cried myself to sleep because I was so angry at myself and felt so pathetic for being so scared.
That being said, the next week I forced myself to go and I am so glad that I did! It is the best decision I have ever made. I have been running for 5.5 months now and can run at a 10:1 ratio for a distance of up to 6.5km... I still don't consider myself a runner, and there are still days where I struggle... THere are still days where I can't run as well as I did the day before...but I keep at it and keep trying.
The most important part of it all is that I am challenging myself and my body...and it makes me feel so proud!
Practice really does make perfect! Keep at it and I am sure you'll reach your goals.
You run, you are a runner, don't let anybody tell you any different :flowerforyou:0
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