Today was the day…
I officially started my training for the Boilermaker 15K! I’m so glad that Tina introduced me to SmartCoach, which is where I put together this exact plan. The site is awesome, and if you’re looking for a plan of your own, it’s definitely worth checking out.
**Does anyone want to be my virtual 15K training buddy??? C’mon, it’ll be a blast! 
It really boggles my mind that just a couple weeks ago, I completed my first 10K race, and now I’m training for a 15K. Crazy.
I actually get quite a few questions from readers about how I started running and how I was able to build up any sort of endurance. Well, let me just tell you…if I can do it, YOU can do it!
I grew up with asthma, so running was something that was never really in the cards for me. In high school, I stuck with the sports that required minimal running effort: volleyball, bowling, and softball.
About two years ago when I started getting more interested in fitness, I began by just walking on the treadmill. Some days, 15 minutes was all I was interested in. But soon enough, I started getting the itch to do more, so I I’d try a few seconds of jogging. Eventually, I bumped it up by jogging for a minute, then walking five. At that point, running for a solid minute was a victory.
Once I got the minute run down pat, I started decreasing the amount of time walking in between. I’d run for my minute, and only walk for 4…then 3…and eventually, I ended up walking and running even times. Again, another victory.
Soon after, I decided to try running more than walking, and I ended up staying at this for quite a while. I just wasn’t ready yet. But soon enough, I was really able to push it…and I loved it. I started out slow, but every time I got on the treadmill, I tried bumping it up just by 0.1mph. This led to some crazy-intense treadmill workouts, and now has me running races outdoors.
My hard work paid off, and now I feel proud to call myself a runner.
When I woke up this morning, I was actually feeling a little bit anxious about starting my training plan. A 15K is a HUGE deal for me, and I started feeling a little doubtful…
“What if I fail…”
“What if my hip starts acting up again…”
“I hate having a set training plan…”
But then I reminded myself about that exact feeling that came over me when I crossed that finish line just a couple short weeks ago. Yeah, remember that hot picture?
But whatever. The face says it all. I worked hard. I was proud. I did it.
So now I know, even though I may be a little anxious about my new training plan, it’s going to be okay. I started out small, and I worked my way up; and it’s going to be the same for this, too.
I mean, hey, I even ended up running a full extra mile this morning without realizing it!
Since I have yet to purchase my sought after Garmin Forerunner, and my RunKeeper app keeps acting up, I resort to using the website WalkJogRun. It allows you to track your route, so I was able to see exactly how far I went. Plus, it even gives you an elevation map. Check out those hills!
So there we go…I’ve got three hilly miles in the books for today. I think that most definitely called for an immediate, post-run iced coffee.
And some breakfast: leftover Egg Strata, strawberries, and the last of my Oatmeal Raisin Banana Muffins.
I loved the muffins, but I’m glad they’re gone…I was starting to get bored with ‘em.
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In case you’re just catching up from the weekend…
We Heard it Through the Window
Questions for the Morning:
Have you ever surprised yourself by accomplishing something you never thought possible?
What are you working towards accomplishing right now?
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