On May 17 of last year, I downloaded an app called Run Double. It is Couch to 5K (C25K) app. It teaches regular, everyday people to run. I opened the app up that evening and did the first day.
I look at my time and distance, and can't help but smile at how far I have come! I ran 104 miles during my 12 week training with the C25K app. And since that day 1 year ago, I have ran in 4 5K's, 2 10K's, and a Half Marathon. I have signed up for the Savannah Rock and Roll Marathon in November as well!
During my training, I have ran over 575 miles. YES! More than 575 miles in the last year! I am so amazed at the strength I have been blessed with! I run on average 25 miles every week now. The benefits of running have outweighed ANY other thing I have tried! I have suffered with anxiety, depression, weight gain, tiredness, sickness, you name it... I have been through it. But since I started running, I have very little to NONE of those issues anymore! I have definitely altered my diet as well. I feel like cutting out processed foods, and cutting eating out have really helped. I eat mostly fruits, seeds, nuts, vegetables and lean meats.
I share all of this with you in hopes of encouraging you not to run, necessarily, but to embrace something you never thought possible and GO FOR IT! Be it running, biking, sewing, whatever. Just do it! Even if it's hard, or not fun in the beginning. Stick with it. I will be the first to tell you that I did NOT love running at first. It was several weeks, actually 2 or 3 months before I really starting enjoying it.
This is a picture of me at my first race. It was last November, at the Callaway Gardens Twilight 10K. I ran that 10K in 1:10. The other photo is from last weekend at the Brooks Beat 10K. I ran that 10K in 50 mins. I have shaved over 20 mins off my 10K time! I am amazed by how far I have come. I will leave you with this quote, and the encouragement to believe you can!
