RICE & repeat

If you've been following my facebook for the last couple weeks, you might have noticed a certain trend in my posts about fitness and running. Well, I'm training for a 5k on March 3 at Ryan's House in Phoenix. Te quieres correr? And I know you are thinking to yourself, wait... Gillian runs? The answer is no....well, not really. If I am running anywhere, it's because I'm running on average five minutes late. I've always been a walker, and have dreamed of becoming a runner. Four weeks ago a family friend asked if I wanted to do a 10k with her and I said no.... but I'd do the 5k.

Running is an adventure, both good and bad. I'm using this program called Couch to 5k and its an app and its suppperrrrr amazing to use. Ch ch check it out.

I started my training adventure over break so I have trained for four weeks in four different places. The first week I was in Tucson, second week in San Diego, third week in Atlanta, and finally I'm in my final training place, Flag. And this probably goes without saying but training in Flagstaff is AWFUL. Definitely pretty, but awful. Flagstaff has some lovely lady lumps that most people call moutains and they are currently kicking my ass.

"But if training in Flagstaff is so awful, then why are you doing it?"

I had a realization a couple weeks ago, there is never going to be a convenient time in my life to become healthy. There are always going to be holidays in the near future, dates, dinner parties, and amazing pizookie. I will always be busy not because I need to be but because I like to be. In the midst of my last breakup, I just realized that for once, I get to do something completely for me. I'm not running because I want to look better for someone else or to make them happy, but because I want to take charge of my life.

 And it's scary. I'm terrified of not being able to do this, run 3.1 miles. I'm on week 3 (the sequel) right now and I'm struggling even though I repeated this week due to jumping 5000 feet in elevation. Starting tomorrow and Week 4 I run more than I walk plus I have to run a consecutive 5 minutes. By the end of Week 5, I'm running for a consecutive 20 minutes. I never wanted to run before because I had a million excuses i.e. I have bad knees. Well, they've gotten worse but like I said I'm taking charge. Starting next Wednesday I will be doing physical therapy twice a week for 2 months. Also, I thought I was too heavy to run. But right before my breakup in November I started losing weight and thanks to the break up diet and running, I've almost lost 15 pounds. 

The best thing about training for this 5k has been committing to something and following through with it. However, the second best thing and this is a very close second has been getting my own cheerleader. For the first two weeks, I was able to run with him. Just having somebody by your side makes it a million times better. And it didn't matter if we talked about running, or dumb stuff, or becoming a better person, or we didn't talk at all- he made it all so much better. He is hands down my biggest supporter and days where I just want to throw in the towel I think of him and decide to keep going. And I know when I cross that finish line on March 3rd, he is going to cross it right next to me.

I love you Dad.