Let’s address the proverbial elephant in the room…my weight. It’s pretty obvious from my twitter and blog name that I’m overweight. As I said in my first ever blog post, I really am fat. And I’m not using the word ‘fat’ as a derogatory term either. It’s just that ‘This fat girl runs’ is an easier mouthful than ‘this overweight girl runs’. The thing is, as an overweight runner I know the two things are NOT mutually exclusive. This is, of course, mostly contrary to popular belief.
Month: November 2013
Thing I learned 4
Thing I Learned 4: Morning, noon or night; at whatever time of day…if you run you are a real runner!
Donating to my Aware 5k
I’ve debated long and hard about posting this, but I decided to just leave it out there and then leave it be. As you know, I’m running 5k in the Aware 10k & 5k Christmas run. I’m also fundraising for it so if anyone is interested in donating through my fundraising page (as little as you like, or as much, that is entirely up to you!), follow the link below.
http://www.mycharity.ie/event/carrie_ps_event
For more information on Aware, and their efforts at supporting people through depression, check out their website http://www.aware.ie/ Please note this is an Irish charity and donations are made in Euros.
I sincerely thank each and every person who has donated to this very worthy and much needed cause. I also really appreciate the support and encouragement I’m being given as I prepare for this run. Not one person has expressed doubt about my ability to run (and to run a 5k!). I can’t even begin to describe just how much that respect means to me.
If you don’t want to or can’t donate, please just wish me luck on the day, that would mean a lot to me!
Thank you!
Aware 5k: 20 days and counting
On December 14th I’ll be running in my second 5k. As with my first, I’m a little nervous! But at least I know what I’m capable of, and that I CAN actually make a 5k, and in less time than I originally expected too. I’m still grinning over that!
So why the countdown to my next 5k?
Imagine that? No thanks!
I’ve heard that a tip for success is to visualize success. But what happens when your brain just won’t cooperate? You get some awfully funny imaginary moments!
With the imagination I have (read: active & vivid), I’ve learned NOT to visualize for success. Because in my brain, anything that can go wrong, does go wrong! Especially when it comes to running!
Thing I learned 3
Thing I Learned 3: Every runner has started somewhere. Experienced marathoners can be just as excited over my 5k as I am!
Now that you ran a 5k, what’s next, Fat Girl?
Good question, I’m glad you asked! I have a few things in mind to round out 2013. Since I started running the last few months have been so unexpectedly crazy and awesome, but have ultimately led to my having a self-confidence I’ve never had before, and never imagined I could have!
I’d like to end the year on the same note! So, my plan for the next month and a bit is:
5k MoRun? Mo of the same please!
This morning at 7am I was up and getting ready for my first 5k run. And when I say first, I mean first! The furthest I’ve ever been able to run has been 3k! This was also my first official, organized run and when I got up this morning I was soooo nervous! I hadn’t slept well, although I wasn’t tired and did feel energized. I got to the course extra early, as I didn’t want to arrive feeling rushed. I took the chance to soak up the atmosphere and shake off my nerves!
I had so many thoughts and impressions of the morning, I can’t really share them all, but here are the highlights!
How am I feeling about my 5km tomorrow?
“Great, I got that “excited/scared” feeling. Like 98% excited, 2% scared. Or maybe it’s more – it could be two – it could be 98% scared, 2% excited but that’s what makes it so intense, it’s so…confused. I can’t really figure it out.”
Oscar, Armageddon (1998)
What’s the big deal about running?
One day I had an epiphany. And just like that, I started running.
Ok, it wasn’t quite as simple as that. I didn’t pull off a marathon my first night running! But I’ll tell you, when I got home from my run that night, I felt like I was on top of the world. Sure I only managed a hundred meters or so before having to walk again, and it took me a while before I could do another run interval, but it was still awesome! I was running!
This Fat Girl Runs 