I can only go up from here!

            I have been writing about each time I workout as I go, so my entries will be composed of each day's progress. Be on the lookout for posts about twice a week!

           I went for my first walk/run at a park near my apartment on Thursday November 10^th! I didn’t know what I was doing, but my plan was to walk a little then try running. Since I had not run in years I knew it was going to be difficult, but I knew I had to start somewhere. I walked for about ten minutes before deciding I needed to run, then I ran until I was where I had started walking.

            To be completely honest, it was awful. My heart was going a mile a minute (unlike my legs), my throat burned, and I would have given anything to lay down. I knew that if I didn’t cool down right I would be paying for it big time, so I continued to walk. I felt a lot better at the same spot I started running the first time, so I ran again for the same distance. After feeling like I needed a third lung when I started walking again, I decided that was enough.

            About a week after I ran my right ankle was really bothering me, so I went into an urgent care and got it looked at. Looks like I just need to stretch and walk more before I run! So if you’re starting off like me, always warm up for a good amount of time!

            Saturday, December 3^rd: This time I went to a room my apartment complex has with a couple machines in it. I walked on the treadmill for half of a mile, and wanted to run for a half mile. I was only able to run for 0.2 miles before I felt like dying so I had to slow it down. I walked for various speeds until I hit the 2.5 mile mark, which was also right at an hour time wise.

            I was not feeling too confident in myself knowing the training I have ahead of me. 13.1 miles kept flashing in my head; I couldn’t even run half of a mile! I had to keep thinking about motivational things while I was running which had helped the first time, but it wasn’t enough. I pride myself on my optimism and knew that there was no point in putting myself down after my second go at running. With that in mind, I went to bed knowing I would be back at it the next day.

            Sunday, December 4^th: I went back to the room at my apartment, because it was nasty and rainy outside- who else is sick of this weather?! On Saturday I was stuck on the worse of the two treadmills, but I got the good one on Sunday! I was determined to take it all really slow, and see where I got in an hour.

            I walked at different speeds until I hit two miles, then I started to run. My legs felt good enough to give it a go, and I ran for half of a mile! I couldn’t believe it! I didn’t even feel like I needed to stop, but I knew I needed to take this one step at a time. It was with a very big smile that I took the speed down a couple notches to a good walk. I cooled down for a little over a half mile so that brought my total distance to 3.2 miles in an hour.

            I felt like I had won first place in the Olympics! I do realize it was just a half of a mile, but the key is that I could see myself crossing that finish line in April. I can do this.