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?
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: Every runner has started somewhere. Experienced marathoners can be just as excited over my 5k as I am!
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:
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!
“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)
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!
In 5 days I’ll be running my first 5km; a Movember MoRun that I signed up for in August! I’m still feeling pretty good, although if I really stop to think about it I get a little hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach. I think the nerves are there, simmering under the surface.
I know I can do 5k. Technically I already do because on running nights I walk 2km home from work (briskly!), get in and changed and stretched and then I’m back out running my usual 3km route. I shouldn’t be nervous about 5km right?!
I’m not a self-confident person. At all. I have difficulty believing or thinking good things about myself, in fact I feel guilty when I do because when I think something nice about myself it feels like a lie. In my head I negate every achievement or compliment by downplaying it or making excuses for it. As I get older I’ve been getting better at being kinder to myself, although it’s still a struggle.
Except when it comes to running.
I once told someone that I don’t eat chocolate. Her response was a shocked “You must have a miserable life!”.
Uh. Well no, I don’t actually. My life is pretty good, thank you very much.
This Fat Girl Runs 