Editors note: We love when someone is inspired to begin running with our 5K event as a goal. And we especially love when we get to hear the story behind the decision.
My Journey to a 5K
I used to always say… vehemently… that I was not a runner. I would follow that up with lots of reasons why I was not cut out for the running lifestyle. The truth was, I was just terribly out of shape. I made excuses, but deep down, I always wanted to be a runner.
My journey to my first 5K began about a year ago. As I stated, I was extremely unhealthy. I was obese and was on a number of different medications for weight related issues. I had little energy and would get winded walking from my car to my office. I was miserable and I was ready to make a change. In July 2013, I embarked on a journey to optimal health. For the past 9 months, I have changed my life by choosing a much healthier way of eating, adding exercising and most importantly working on the emotional issues that caused me to get to such an unhealthy state. In less than a year, I have lost over 100 pounds, am off all medications, and now enjoy a very active lifestyle that includes kickboxing, Zumba classes, bicycling and yoga. However, running… Running has remained this slightly unattainable dream.
Despite my uncertainty about running, I started telling people that my fitness goal for this year was to do a 5K. Then I started running a little bit here and there on the treadmill. I even added a little street running when out on my weekend walks. Finally, this week, in an impulsive move forward towards my dream, I researched upcoming 5Ks in my area. When I found MHA On the Move I thought, this is the one! I immediately registered.
Then I thought, “Oh no! Now you’ve gone and done it!” I had to actually get serious now about training for a race that was 5 weeks away. Thank Google, I found a “One Month to 5K” schedule online and I have started my training. It’s only been a day but I accomplished the first workout. I am taking it one day at a time. One run at a time. One rest day at a time. This is one of the most exciting and yet most terrifying things I’ve ever committed to.
Like many of you reading this blog, mental health issues have touched my life. Some of us are lucky to have great support systems and available and affordable care. Some of us are not. Mental health issues are very important to me so running for this cause just seemed like a natural fit. It is my longer-term fitness goal that this will be the first of many annual runs I participate in for the MHA. Come join me!
