I finally did a thing.
Since I moved down to Cincinnati almost four years ago, I have told myself I would run a 5k.
Walking 5ks was a very common occurrence for me. I love advocating for things I believed in and doing something about it. When I lived in Toledo I participated in a few walks regularly. I would do Walk for Water, JDRF one walk, Out of the Darkness Walk, and Walk to end Alzheimer's yearly if I could.
Then I moved to Cincinnati and helped my cousin by watching the kids while her and her husband ran. The community for running was amazing!
I am a plump girl and running hasn't been my thing. I normally only ran from my problems or ran my mouth.
But I repeatedly told myself every year that I could train to run 3.1 miles. It could be possible.
Then I would sign up to just walk again.
The American heart Association would partner with my work to have runs and walks yearly. Last year I was able to do the walk and got a medal. It felt good and I wanted more.
After getting help with my depression and anxiety, and getting help with my thyroid, I was finally ready to get healthy again.
I've been on this weight loss journey for a while. Since my divorce I have been back and forth on my goal of losing 100 pounds from my heaviest.
So January of 2019 I decide to take over and organize the Biggest Loser competition at work. I get 20 people to sign up. There are people to hold me accountable and a reward now.
The 5k run was in March. So I signed up for the run and began to train. I was working 5 nights a week, and after work I would stay over to workout in the gym in the basement at work. I commited to 3.1 miles for every workout, be it running or walking. Whatever I had time for I would do. I was able to run a full mile, which was exciting to do again. I was ecstatic when I ran most of 3 miles two weeks before the race. My plan was to train outside on pavement the following week.
However, I got sick. I had to stay in bed to get healthy enough to function, let alone run. So I tried to recover.
The day of the race came and I had not finished the training that I had wanted to. So I told myself to just repeat two phrases: 1) At least you are not walking 2) Push through to the high. I was going to run with my cousin, but she decided to walk with another friend. I trained for this, so I decided to run alone. I put in my earbuds, and I went. A few times I slowed down, this was a super hilly course! However, I would find a guy and pretend to catch up to him and run with him in case he was single as well. Or I would find a girl that looked my build and try to keep up with her. I ran faster down every hill. I pushed myself.
When I crossed the finish line I was amazed to find that I had beat my best treadmill time!!!
I went to take a picture of me crossing the line, and my phone froze and restarted. Yes, at that exact moment.
But I collected my medal THAT I EARNED. I was so proud of myself!!!!
I decided I would continue to do 5ks. I can keep running three miles for sure!
But my success inspired my cousin who had been wanting to do a half marathon for a while.
So now guess who is training for a half marathon.
This girl who used to run from her problems, is now using her problems to fuel her runs.
I am hoping to hit my weight loss goal as well as cross that finish line with mostly running.
I did a thing, and in my reaching goals finally I have inspired others, which is in return pushing me farther towards success.
Who am I?
I love it.
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