Learning to Love It: Chronicles of a Chubby Runner
by Meggan
(Georgia, United States)
When I'm running I'll try to distract myself (from the pain) with anything imaginable.
I often picture my 3 best girlfriends (all excellent distance runners) behind me- pushing me forward to the finish line.
Or I'll consider how terrible I'd feel if I had to tell my amazing husband that I quit before I finished.
Or I'll plead with my body to transform and picture myself with tone and muscular legs! Whatever gets me going, really!
But I'm still learning to love it; running is hard stuff for a chubby girl!
Now let me preface by stating that I am still a total work in progress! It is amazing to me that I'm even writing a story about myself running! I have never excelled at athletics. Since Elementary School I've never been able to run a complete mile without walking! Since I've graduated from college 3 years ago and started my cubicle career I've gained 40lbs and lost passion and energy for life. In the recent past I hired a personal trainer for some "workout accountability" but quickly gave up after a month because I saw no results nor improvement.
I knew I needed to "get moving" and lose weight but felt so intimidated by those intense workout programs. I was a beginner! And I needed help! About 10 weeks ago I stumbled upon Dominique's Beginner's Running Program 3 from a Google search and that's where my journey begins...
When I first looked over the 12 week program, which showed me EXACTLY how to go 0 to 30 minutes of running, each workout really seemed do-able to me. I didn't get overwhelmed or feel like the next day was going to be too much for me to handle. To me, it felt fool proof and very tangible! As I moved forward, I felt such a sense of accomplishment and self confidence as I progressed each week! Though I wasn't running very far or for very long, I could see that I was improving each week just by following the schedule! Yes each day was a challenge, some days more difficult than others, but I got through each day. And I was one step closer to finishing the program!
Now that I'm 2 weeks away from my goal, I signed up for a 5K on April 17, 2010. I don't know if I'll be able to run the complete 3.1 miles, but I know one thing's for sure: I'll be running at LEAST 30 minutes of that race! :)
This journey has changed me more on the inside than on the outside. For the first time in my life I have (almost) reached an athletic goal!
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I know with full certainty now that if I map out a method of baby steps for myself I can continue to improve my running. And that's just what I intend to do! I'll keep you all posted as I continue to learn to love running!
