She's a runner.

I said I would blog about what is on my mind. It may not always be the most interesting or impressive thing you will read. But I do guarantee that it will be something that is honestly on my mind. hahaha.

So.. around last May or April.. I started making myself run on the treadmill a few times a week. At first I couldnt even run a quarter of a mile without having to stop and walk to catch my breath. After weeks of running several times a week.. I could finally run a whole mile without stopping!!! (a huge accomplishment!) Over the next few months I just kept trying harder and harder to go further without stopping! In October of last year with hopes of finishing being my first goal. And my second goal was if I did finish I wanted it to be in less than 40 minutes. I blew my goal away with my finish time of 29:36 and the 2nd girl to finish in my age division! Ohhhhh how I loved it. Finishing was awesome, but placing was even better! Since then I have done at least one 5k a month.. each time getting faster and faster.. and placing in every one. (one 5k I was even the second girl to finish OVERALL) This was all UNTIL last month! :( Last month's 5k was on March 26th at the long leaf trace in hattiesburg. March is known for being a cooler month... but apparently this one particular Saturday did not fit the bill. The race did not start until 10 that morning and it was around 85 degrees! I wasnt prepared AT ALL! The previous race my finish time was 26:04... this one was 29:29. Wow... yep 3 minutes and 25 seconds slower. ALMOST back to my original 5k time. Needless to say I did not place, but was glad to at least finish. 

I told you all of that,.. to tell you this... My next 5k is May 7th. Which will probably be a pretty warm day as well. These next 2 weeks I am going to bust my butt to get ready for this race. I WILL not let the warmer weather slow me down. But even still.. prayers are welcome. I guess the last race just has me a bit discouraged. I knew at some point.. I wouldn't improve.. that I would end up with a bad time. But that race just put a bad taste in my mouth so to speak.. but all because I wasn't prepared.

My ultimate goal one day is to do a half marathon which is 13.1 miles. The most I've ever done at one time was running non-stop for 6.2 miles (also known as a 10k). So I do believe that I will start working now to prepare myself mentally & physically to run a half marathon this November at the Stennis Space Center. If people on biggest loser can do it... then so can I!

And for all of you who want to run but feel like you can't make it 10 steps without passing out.. YOU CAN DO IT! Believe me. Running is intimidating at first but once you actually try it a few times.. you will see that it is DOABLE. You will build up endurance ALOT faster than you think. So don't be discouraged! Try running in small increments.. taking a few moments to rest in between and then running again. If I can do it, anyone can! :)