Well, i did my first run outside. I was running for 25 minutes on the treadmill, and i knew it would be harder to run outside, the ground does not move under your feet...YOU have to make you move! It was really hot, and i did it around lunch time...maybe not the smartest time to do it! End result was me running for 16 minutes, feeling like i wanted to cry, very hot and more out of breath than usual. I walked for 90 seconds, ran for another 2 1/2 minutes, walked for another 90 seconds and then ran for another 90 seconds. I ended up running for 20 minutes. Definitely disappointed with myself. BUT...i'm not going to let that get me down. Next time i run outside, tomorrow, i will do it after work, once it starts cooling down. I will be more focused, now that i know what i'm up against. I just need to get past that little voice in my head that's saying "see...i told you it was going to be harder, i told you that you wouldn't be able to run for the same length of time, i knew you couldn't do it...". When you've never had confidence in yourself with regards to physical activity, it's hard to mentally motivate yourself to do things and to believe that you CAN succeed. But guess what? Maybe it got the better of me the first time i tried, but it's not going to do it a second time. I'm going to put on my music, get running, and i'm going to keep running...and i know that eventually i WILL get there. I'm not so concerned with how long it takes me, just that i do it. Every day i sit down in front of my computer and read your posts. And each and every one of them inspire me. For the first time in my life, it's finally gotten through my thick skull that i can do this! That i am worth it! That anything is possible if you believe in yourself and have the right support! Tears are coming to my eyes, i'm having a very emotional moment right now. I've never felt so understood. I am so thankful for your loving hearts and generosity. Thank you for being a part of my life!
S :-)
Sandy,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry I didn't get chance to reply to your earlier post saying you were going for your first run outside or I'd have told you how I found it which may have helped you not beat yourself up so much over it.
I had EXACTLY the same experience when I first made the transition to outside running. I think I'd done the 20min runs on the C25K when I went outside first of all, and was totally devastated to find I could only manage 10mins and after that I was exhausted like I'd never been on the 20min treadmill runs. The uneven ground was so different, I was scared I was going to trip and fall the whole time, the wind made it seem weird and even the slight incline along one side of the football pitch I was running around killed me. I really thought that day I'd never be able to run outside and might have to settle for treadmill running permanently. But the stubborness in me wouldn't let me give up so I kept trying, over and over again. I got up to running about 20-25mins outside once I'd finished the programme. Around then I started adding minutes to my treadmill runs and got to doing 35mins a few times indoors. The next time I ran outside was hard, but I just kept pushing myself to run to the next landmark and you know what? When I finished and checked my watch, I'd done over 36mins!!! I will ALWAYS remember that day because I felt invincible after that run and it made me see that I really could do it, I just had to persevere. If I'm honest I do still find it harder to run outside because of the weather, hills etc, but it's so much nicer having somewhere to actually run to and admiring the view along the way that it's worth it. Someone told me, or I read somewhere, that it's really hard to get to running 30mins non-stop on the treadmill and then outside, but once you can do both you will never look back, and I have to agree with them.
I've been feeling like I was doing great with my running til I went for a review at the gym on Friday, and as part of my new workout he's got me running at 9kph instead of my usual 8kph on a 1% incline for 2.4k!!! I've avoided the incline on the treadmill up to now lol, so I'm really scared I'm not going to be able to do it, but I've set myself a challenge that on Tuesday I'm going to go do my warm up and then give it my best shot. Even if I'm so exhausted I can't do the rest of my workout afterwards I'm going to do that run!
We CAN do it Sandy, we've both come so far, we just having to keep believing in ourselves and taking those steps. Hugs Lisa
Sandy, Oh My Goodness!!!! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!! You've accomphished something I have not been able to do ~ yet.
ReplyDeleteYou be proud of yourself - You did an amazing thing!!!
LISTEN TO LISA'S ADVISE - SHE'S BEEN THERE - WE BOTH AGREE - YOU CAN DO THIS!!!
INSPIRING!!
Hugs!
Hey Sandy :)
ReplyDeleteI was reading your post and thinking how I sometimes feel worn out after just taking a walk - I am definitely NOT a runner, yet :) - so a 20 min. run sounds amazing to me. Isn't it strange how we can be feeling like we aren't doing good enough, but someone else can find us inspiring? I feel like I can definitely do it one day, and reading about your progress on the C25k program has helped me believe it. So thank you :) You are definitely worth it. I am so very glad that I found your blog!
Cara :)
Thank you ladies! As usual you know the exact right things to say! Sending a big hug to all of you!
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