Wednesday, January 19, 2011

20 Minutes

I am the first person to tell you that I am NOT a runner. 
Playing basketball in high school, I would *literally* get physically sick just thinking about conditioning.
And even then, we weren't usually straight up running for more than 8 minutes at a time. 
But for some reason, I have always wanted to run a 5k. 
So I've started the Couch to 5k program several times.
I usually quit around week 4, because running for 5 minutes was just too hard. 
Don't laugh--it WAS hard for me. 

But today? Today I finished Week 5 Day 3.
The first LONG run of the program. 
Jumping from running 8 minutes, to running twenty minutes. 

Twenty minutes.
I ran for TWENTY MINUTES, without stopping or pausing. 
Okay, some of the time was probably more of a shuffle than a run. 
But I finished, and I did not stop. 
I kind of can't believe it--20 minutes probably seems small to most, but it was HUGE for me.

And then I cried, because I beat my own worst enemy--myself.

36 comments:

  1. Congratulations Meredith!!! I've always wanted to be a runner too but have never committed to starting the Couch to 5K program. No matter how many times I've printed it off. I always stop myself short of starting the scary process of attempting to become that runner I want to be.

    Way to go!!!

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  2. I am so proud of you and I love you. Running sucks and you did it. Great job! Are we going to run in the Pear Blossom?

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  3. A HUGE congrats to you. I don't know that I've ever run 20 minutes. I want to start the c25k, I just haven't had the balls to do it yet. Soon!!!!!!!

    Good job :o)

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  4. Awesome, awesome job!!! Where do you run at?

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  5. Hooray for you!! Way to go. High five over blog land.

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  6. CONGRATULATIONS!!! I just cried a little bit for you. I remember the first time I ran 20 minutes when I did couch to 5k... it took me like 2 months... I did a LOT of repeating days!

    I am so proud of you... keep it up!

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  7. Woohooo! Way to GO!

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  8. I am so proud of you! Way to go!!!!

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  9. I am NOT a runner and did the couch to 5K program (and am working on it again) through fall and winter. I totally know what you mean about beating your own worst enemy. I cried when I saw the 1 mile marker when I ran my first 5K, thinking "I did it, I can do anything". Didn't run the whole thing but am aiming to run the whole 5K next time!!! Good luck to you, you can do it!!!!

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  10. Awesome job, congratulations! I think you're right, mind over matter wins so often in running. I know I'm physically capable of longer runs, I just don't like to THINK I am. Good for you for beating your mind!!!

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  11. Thats so awesome! Congratulations!!

    You can do anything you set your mind to seriously. Before you know it, its going to be longer or you'll be doing something else you didn't think you could! You go girl!

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  12. CONGRATULATIONS! What a great accomplishment! The C25K program is fantastic! Keep up the awesome work!

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  13. That is a serious accomplishment! Go you!

    I've definitely never run for that length of time!

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  14. I am so happy for you!
    You're an incredible woman Mere ! Whenever I read you I find myself related to so many of similar situations.
    To run a 5k is one of my most secret dreams.
    And I totally agree with you, most the time we are our own worst enemy.
    You inspire me to at least try, even knowing that I'm not a sporty person.
    Congrats! Y vamos por mas!

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  15. You are amazing, Meredith!! What a huge accomplishment :)

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  16. YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

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  17. AWESOME!! I have a super hard time running too. I keep trying to start a 13 week plan. I will have to look more into the Couch to 5k. Great job!!

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  18. YAY! Congratulations Miss. Mere! I am seriously thinking about doing this when the weather gets nice here and I can run outside!

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  19. YAY!!! That is so awesome! Congratulations.

    I remember when I ran my 5K last fall that I actually got passed by a walker, that's how slow *I* am ;-)

    Great job!!

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  20. Whoooo. I probably shouldn't be crying right now, but that's what running gave to me too. Pride and being able to believe in myself.

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  21. Congrats!! I have never been a runner but always had the urge to do a 5k as well. I struggled and cursed but finally worked up to 20 minutes too. And then it got easier, A LOT easier. And before I knew it, I'd conquered a 5k and signed up for a half marathon. And conquered that too!! And I run SLOW!

    I still hate running. But it's a love-hate relationship because running will help you shed pounds. You will find that sweet spot distance that will make your metabolism sky rocket. You stick with it! Jump around with your arms ups like Rocky!

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  22. Hi Meredith - I'm often a lurker here on your blog, but I thought I'd take this entry to say hello and congratulations!! I went from being a complete non-runner then one day decided I was sick of being unfit and promised myself I'd do a marathon. It took an entire year to get up to the point where I could just start the training, but I got there. It is possible! It's always slow going at the beginning, but I know that if you keep at it with the dedication you've had so far, you will absolutely meet your goal. Good luck!

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  23. I AM SO PROUD of you!!!! You are awesome!

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  24. Congrats! That's awesome! I'm really trying to kick myself into gear to try this. I'm just feeling mighty safe on those elliptical machines.

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  25. Oh, that's awesome!! I'm so proud of you! :)

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  26. Very impressive! And inspiring! Running is SOOO hard for me too!

    Congrats!!!

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  27. YAY! Nice job! I feel so proud of you! (I'm not a fan of running, either. I only do it for work.) You are awesome!

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  28. Awesome job, must be a fantastic feeling!!

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  29. Congrats! That's very exciting! I've done 6 half marathons but I can't run a mile straight. I'm starting Couch to 5K today. Keep it up!

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