Saturday, June 11, 2011

i did it

Just over a year ago I vowed to get myself back into shape by committing to running 5 miles comfortably (at whim) by May 2011.

In the spirit of keeping it random (at whim), I put on my running shoes on the evening of Thursday May 26th and set out to run 5 miles straight. I had butterflies in my stomach, as the longest I'd ever run at any given time was approximately 3.5 miles at once....and I knew I was going to have to give you all the full report no matter how it turned out. I was nervous.

I decided to take one of my normal routes - a mix of residential streets and some paved and gravel paths in my neighbourhood. Running the loop three times would bring me to exactly 5 miles.

I felt really strong and confident for the first 2 miles or so. Oh ya - I'm comfortable running this amount. No problems!

By the third mile, a bit of panic started to set in. Can I do it? I plugged along keeping my regular pace up, much to my surprise.

Mile 4 was an....interesting one. My brain started telling me "Wow - you've gone a long way. Maybe you should walk a bit", but my feet just kept on moving. I turned off my music and decided to just listen to my feet hitting the pavement. The rhythm kinda put me in a trance - it was the oddest thing. I kept on going, listening to my feet and my breathing and focusing on just keeping moving. Before I knew it I was halfway through my third and final loop - the home stretch! My legs were feeling strong and for the first time I started really believing I could do it.

I emerged from the ravine trail with a quarter mile to go. I could see my house in the distance, my husband waving to me as I headed home. My heart really lept....I was going to do it! My breathing was good, my legs felt great, I was getting teary and...before I knew it, I was blowing past him shouting "one more loop".

Wait. What?! Did I just say that?????
Yeah, I did!!!

Why stop running when you still have fuel in the tank, right?

I have to admit, that last loop was a tough one. I had to pull out all the stops: pump up the music, turn off the music, think about work, swear, moan, talk to myself out loud. Ha! But the thing that really kept me going was just thinking about the fact that one year ago, I couldn't even run one loop. Heck - I couldn't even run for one minute last year! I realized that I felt better in this moment than I ever have.

I finished the last stretch with tears in my eyes, dripping with sweat and shaking with excitement. 6.6 miles. 66 minutes. I think I have a new lucky number. ;)

This whole experience has taught me that I can do whatever I set my mind to. The most difficult part is having the courage to set a goal, make it public and kick yourself daily to work toward it. The support I've received from all of you has been invaluable. I would thank you individually, but I fear I would leave someone out, so just know that if you've ever commented on my blog (or seen me on yours) it's because you gave me fuel for this journey that I can stand here today and say: I DID IT!!!!!!

It never felt so good to be this sweaty and exhausted:


Rae
xo

30 comments:

  1. That is the greatest news Raegun! I am so happy for you. I can't wait to read about more great adventures.

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  2. Oh what a wonderful feeling! Congratulations! One day I'll be able to say "one more loop" I'm sure!

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  3. Oh my gosh, CONGRATS! That good feeling you have--just swim in it for a while! :D

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  4. SIX miles!!! You super exceeded your goal! I am so proud of you and I am completely inspired by you!!! I love your quote in the post below. Thanks for telling me.
    J

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  5. Great post, Rae! I'm so happy for you. That's an awesome accomplishment. My wife just started running and I'll show her this for inspiration. Way to stick with it. And what a great use of goal setting! Congratulations...

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  6. WOOHOO what a victory!!

    Now you need a new goal, eh?

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  7. What a fantastic accomplishment Rae! And you ran more than what you thought you could do. P.S. I would've been crying too.

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  8. Super! Congratulations at coming such a long way on your fitness!

    You are ready for a 10k!

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  9. You do yourself proud Rae....everybody has their goals and accomplishments...and this is yours.No one can ever take it away from you. So HAPPY to follow your progress....YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!

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  10. Absolutely amazing job!!! Congrats on not just accomplishing, but exceeding your goal!!

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  11. CONGRATS CONGRATS CONGRATS!! What an amazing accomplishment!!

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  12. You're awesome and such an inspiration!!!

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  13. Sorry to be late to this great party! Congratulations. That is so great!

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  14. Great job, that is awesome!

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  15. YES YES YES!!! OMG so awesome! Congratulations, girly. You kick ass!!!

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  16. Love that saying!!! "why stop when there is fuel left in the tank" thanks for the reminder! You are doing so awesome! Keep it up!

    Jennifer
    http://wecanlosethepounds.blogspot.com/

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  17. Hey Friend, Where are you? I miss you!!!!!

    Hope you are doing well!!

    Keep focused!!!!

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  18. That's great, Rae! It's always a good thing to look back and just take note of how far you've come, and then give yourself a solid pat on the back.

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  19. Keep up the great work... join our community and hopefully it will give you the motivational medicine to keep it up!!
    :)
    Begin with the end in mind. - Stephen Covey
    Gotta Run,
    Mike
    www.facebook.com/WhyMarathon

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  20. Rae, I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOO PROUD OF YOU!!! That is awesome!
    Setting a goal and making it public! YES!
    CONGRATS!!!
    Have a PRETTY day!
    Kristin

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  21. Rae, so great to hear from you today!!! I'm glad to hear you're still being active and I'm rooting for you to continue losing weight. I'm fighting the good fight. It was inspiring to hear from you again. Take care.

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  22. Miss you my Friend!! Hope you are doing well!

    Take care of yourself and stay focused on your goals!

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  23. Just saw this now. Wow, this is great! Congrats!

    Miss seeing your updates on DM :(

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  24. Hey Rae...where are you girl? Are you still working hard? I sure do miss you girl!!! Check in, okay?

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  25. Thinking of you today! I hope you are well!! I miss you!!!

    Keep focused on your health and fitness journey!

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  26. Really missing you my Friend! Hope you are doing awesome!!

    Keep focused!

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  27. Whatever fitness or weight loss goals you are setting, you have to work hard regularly to gain results. It requires great deal of self-discipline and commitment. In order to enhance my strength and gain the most benefits from my workouts I am taking additional nutrition. I have tried a lot of different workout supplements over the years and nothing has given me as much energy and focus as Military Grade Nutritionals have. In my opinion, their pre-workouts are the most effective supplements.

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