Hi friends!!
I wasn’t myself last week. I felt like everything just slipped out of my control. I was feeling really discouraged with my revisions. The house was a mess because why bother. And admittedly–I was feeling lonely. Sometimes this working from home thing can feel so isolating. Sometimes it feels like it’s all for nothing.
But…
Saturday brought a shift in the weather.
And with that–a shift in my perspective.
I took back control.
If there is one thing I just cannot do it’s being able to run. I am physically incapable of running. It’s not just that I don’t like it–I actually can’t do it. I feel like my heart is going to blow out of my chest and like my legs are going to give out. So what better way to challenge myself than to start the c25k program (for the 3rd time–maybe this time I’ll get past week 1). Here’s my thought process with this.
I work best with tangible accomplishments.
I function on todo lists and goals.
But with long term goals it’s easy to get discouraged. Or to allow yourself to feel like the tiny little steps you’re taking aren’t really leading you to success. But they are. It’s just hard to see it sometimes.
Like with my revisions.
So if I can track my time, and my efforts, in a tangible way (like challenging myself to run–something I am actually totally incapable of doing)–it’ll be easier for me to remember that on the days I feel like I can’t–I am actually still getting somewhere.
I was rejected from the school of my choice at first. I wrote about that before. It would have been easy to just let myself be content with where I was. I was in a college–what did it matter if it wasn’t the college. And don’t get me wrong–there were many times when the thoughts crossed my mind to just stay where I was. It would have been easier. I would have made friends. I wouldn’t have had to spend every waking hour killing myself so there wouldn’t be a single reason for the school of my choice not to accept me. I wouldn’t have had to spend so much time on the phone with admissions checking and rechecking the requirements–making sure I was meeting and exceeding every single one. It would have been so much easier.
But it wasn’t the life I wanted.
It mattered to me.
It wasn’t anyone else’s place to tell me that I wasn’t good enough.
I am the only person who can tell myself it’s time to quit.
I am the only person who can tell myself it’s time to give up.
To accept my life for what it is.
But it’s not what I want.
And I’m the only one who can make it happen.
So I’m running. I’m running to remind myself that I can do it. If I want it–I can do it. And so can you.
love this, J. listen up: before i started my fitness journey, i couldn't run for shit. not even 1K. because i didn't know how to run. whoda thunk that you have to *learn how to run*, right? i mean, i was all: bitch please, you just lace up and run. no you don't, you have to work on your pace and then speed. but here i was running for my life and then because i wasn't training properly, running out of steam. so i also did the C25K program and that legit taught me how to run properly. i'm still not the best runner because my endurance isn't what i'd like it to be (apparently, running endurance vs HIIT endurance are two different things, bah!) but i'm way better than when i started…i can actually RUN 5K straight and when i run trails, i can run longer.
so keep it up! you can do this! you can do anything you put your mind to 🙂
-kathy | Vodka and Soda
You CAN do it. Running is amazing…embrace it. Take it one day at a time. The C25k is a fantastic program – stick with it and you'll be a runner for life <3
I love this Joey!! Girl I am starting C210K so we can start together! Running is an amazing stress relief, but where I have gained so much weight I can barely do it now- without feeling like I'm dying. Which of course doesn't exactly motivate me to go. If you need motivation, I'm your girl!!! Proud of you!
Working at home can be so isolating AND it's easy to get lazy while you're here too. After a year of working at home I find that some of the physical things that were easy for me before aren't so much anymore.
My knees won't let me run but I'm going to start doing something to get in shape!
You really have such an amazing way of writing…..and how you deliver it…..that really makes me think. Running is not my favorite thing either but once you are done it is such a feeling of accomplishment right? Great post girl! xoxoxo
You are not alone in your ability to not run. It is a real struggle! I cant really run either. I mean, I can for like 30 seconds and then I want to die. I have asthma and bad knees. It is just awful! It is something I never enjoyed and probably never will. Our neighborhood isn't somewhere that you can really run, we have rough terrain and really really crappy roads so I just gave up the hope of it. One day I really want to learn though.
I have heard so many people doing the C25k program and it works for every person who has stuck with it that I know of…so I know with a little dedication that you got this!
I am trying to find a 5k to sign up for so that I have a goal to work towards. We can do this!!
Have fun with your running! I'd keel over if I did it but I know a lot of people find joy with it.
You go.
I need to get moving again. This was a good motivator. I'm not a runner, but I feel what you're saying here.
Girl you are awesome! I have started and stopped C25K so many times because I suck at running, so I wish you luck!!
We totally have the best motto for 2014! You CAN do this, friend! Love you!
I truly believe that some people are just not built to run; I'm one of them. It, like, hurts everything. However, I noticed that after I started doing other kinds of cardio, like kickboxing, running became much easier and doable. It did take about a year though.
Anyway, here's to setting goals! You can do it!
Go on with your bad self!!! I'll drive my car next to you. 🙂