I remember in elementary school when we would participate in the "President's Fitness Challenge" at school. You know the drill- push ups, pull ups, sit ups, sit and reach and the dreaded one mile run. I don't think in all those years I ever ran below a 10 minute mile, even in the best shape of my life.
So as I've started this journey to live a healthier lifestyle, I decided to run the same types of tests monthly. Instead of being stuck in the diet drama by continuing to weigh myself all the time, I decided to look for "non-scale victories." And a faster mile run would be a non-scale victory to me!
But I had to start somewhere. I kept putting it off, but one day I decided to do it. I was at the gym next to my husband running my heart out and gasping for breath. Every inch of my body hurt and was shaky. My husband lapped me. I kept going. I was out of breath but I kept running. And at 14:06 the treadmill showed the one mile mark.
I spent the rest of the evening being sad about it, I was upset I ran such a crappy mile. Couldn't I have pushed myself harder? I should've ran until I passed out. Or not gone so long without running a mile. The negative thoughts kept coming and coming.
The next morning I realized something, I was PROUD of myself. I ran a whole mile as fast as I could! My leg muscles were sore where I didn't know there were muscles. What a great thing! I had pushed my body hard. And best of all, I ran this mile as a starting point. A beginning of a journey to a faster mile.
I realized that sometimes the journey is hard. But it has to start somewhere. There has to be a time where you say, "I know I"m not where I want to be, but at least I'm on the right path." Start your journey today. A 14 minute mile is better than never running one.
Totally true, and totally inspiring. I think about this every morning when I don't feel like exercising (and really, who does?).... Doing something is better than doing nothing.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! I am dealing with the same problem and this is such a good idea! Thank you for your inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI love this!!! Inspiring:)
ReplyDeleteAnd I am the same way with running!
You are seriously so inspiring!!!!! I remember during summer gym between 8th and 9th grade (???), we ran every single morning at the beginning of class and every week we added a bit of length to our run. By the end we were running 2 miles every morning. (I still walked most of it), but at the end of it, I was able to run a mile in just over 9 minutes. The fastest I have ever and probably will run a mile.But I was super proud because I was able to run it in one go. I love you idea of gauging progress, I'm going to try it!
ReplyDeleteI love where you said: "I know I"m not where I want to be, but at least I'm on the right path."
ReplyDeleteSO true!!
Take your time - and like you said "A 14 minute mile is better than never running one" you are absolutely correct! Running is hard man, even years later I feel like I'm dying and can barely scrape in a 3 mile run.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel! I'm way behind on my running goals, so this definitely made me want to just get out there and start! :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger, I hated these tests!! I can NOW run an 11-minute mile and trying to finesse it day-by-day and learning to LOVE exercise instead of avoiding it. It's good for all of us in the long-haul! Great post! <3
ReplyDeleteOh my, I totally remember the Presidential Fitness Challenge. I HATED it. That's a good idea to do those things now and gauge by if you accomplished them or not!
ReplyDeleteYou should be proud! You did great :)
ReplyDeletenon-scale victories are the best kind! Kudos to you! :)
ReplyDeletexo, Hima
Hima Hearts
Great post, and a very inspirational one too! I just might have to go for a run sometime... :)
ReplyDeleteI have ditched the scale too! Congrats on your journey to better health! I am on that journey too! Always be proud of yourself. You deciding to do something positive for yourself then actually took the first steps on that journey is inspiring! ^_^
ReplyDeleteLove this! Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI have to remind myself that when I'm doing pushups, I suck at pushups... but doing 5, or 10, is better than 0. Thanks for the reminder :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats! You will get there one day. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! This encourages me to get back to running even though I'm not that good at it :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats! I know you pushed yourself hard, shaving 6 seconds off next time will be easy peasy :)
ReplyDeletehey...slow and steady wins the race! i'm a slow runner too....i was out for a run the other day, and averaged like 13 min miles. when i'm on the treadmill and doing a shorter distance, i can hang around a ten-min mile, but i'd always rather go longer and slower than shorter and faster! on monday, i was coming up on mile number five and ran past a construction worker who was sitting in his truck and asked me "is that what the slow run looks like?" i was so taken aback (especially since i pulled my headphone out of my ear to ask him to repeat what he said because i foolishly thought it might be important!), and i got discouraged by it...but then i remembered that i'd rather be able to look back and say that i went out and ran and burned the calories and made a good choice and did it than that i'm some sort of olympic sprinter!
ReplyDeleteGood for you!! I am glad that you realized that you should be proud of yourself! I think it's so easy to get down on yourself when you don't "measure up" to whatever society- or self-imposed standards we've created... but YOU rocked it and you have so much to be proud of!
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ReplyDeleteOne of the greatest moments of my high school life was spraining my ankle a week before I had to run the mile and getting out of it! :)
ReplyDeleteLove this post. Love you! Keep it up missy!
ReplyDeletegreat post. Trying is what is important.
ReplyDeletewhat a great post. I agree trying is the important thing.
ReplyDeleteThis is so true! I would always look at the other treadmills in the gym and in like 12 minutes, people would have easily done 1.5 to 2 miles where I was still struggling to complete 1!
ReplyDeleteso true! I need to get back into doing this rather than checking my scale. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is so inspiring! And there is nothing wrong with a 14 minute mile. It takes me 16 minutes to run a mile and I've been running for a long time. I just think it feels so much better to pace myself and really enjoy the run instead racing against the clock. I feel like I get a much better work out when I concentrate on my movements & pace instead of watching the treadmill. Hope that helps! Good luck with your future work outs.
ReplyDeleteTrying is always the most important thing, good luck with it
ReplyDeleteLove this! When I go to the gym and do the elliptical, I always try to push myself to burn a few more calories than the last time - because I'd rather have more stamina than less pounds.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration! I need to get back on my fitness routine. I've fallen off big time. I have to start somewhere though. :)
ReplyDelete