Commitments

Today’s guest post (who also qualifies as “One Fit Mommy”!)  is courtesy of Kathy, who blogs over at Kazoofus.   In addition to her full time corporate job, she is also the solo parent of 2 kids, ages 12 and 9 (so we know she is a busy woman!).   She just celebrated her one year running anniversary by running her first half marathon!   Kathy has made the commitment to fitness, can you say the same about yourself?

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One year ago this month I decided that I wanted to give running a try. I have never run for anything other than beer before in my life so this was something very new to me. I suddenly had it in my head that I wanted to run a 5k on or around my 38th birthday in August.

I began training at 5:30am one chilly May day and there was nothing easy about it.

It was suggested to me that I follow the couch to 5k training plan to get started and I was HORRIFIED that physically I couldn’t even follow that. It turned out running was something my body was in not ready for. In fact, my body protested rather loudly.

I’ll spare you the horrid details of those first months (yes months) of training and tell you that I ended up abandoning the plan completely after just a few weeks. Since my body was not very accepting of the running idea I decided to start with a really solid walking program. It started with walking a half mile, then I moved up to walking a full mile all the way up to 3 miles. It took a long time and even that was unexpectedly hard on my body, most of all my feet which would cramp up regularly.

I had to play around with how I walked (heal/toe), my pace and how I laced my shoes.  I did TONS of research on running to make sure I was doing all the right things to make my move from walking to running successful.  It wasn’t until I accomplished power-walking 3 miles that I decided to give running another try.

By the time that I ran my first 5k (August 16th, 2008) I had not run a full 3 miles and that made me pretty nervous. I ran the 5k and was pretty happy with my time but I was also convinced that I would never run again. It was unbearably HOT and HUMID on race day and my body still was not a fan of the running process. My feet would swell and the day after a run I could barely walk up or down a flight of stairs.

How can I be a productive employee and a good parent to two young children if my training program leaves me hobbled up for DAYS?

I was convinced by some friends that I grew up with to run ONE! MORE! 5K! It was in September and I very half-heartedly agreed. On race day it was cold and drizzling rain and I was rather irritated that I had allowed myself to be sucked into one more run.

I ran the race with my friends and on that cold, rainy day in September I fell in love with running.

I’m guessing it was a combination of things that changed my perspective on running that day. First of all, running when it is raining isn’t horrible. I was pretty surprised to learn that. Also something happened with my body that day and running, for the first time ever, actually felt good.

Sure I was sore and physically tired after the race but mentally I felt really ALIVE.

In the past year I have run a handful of 5k’s and on Mother’s Day weekend I ran my first half marathon. I don’t see a full marathon in my future but I do see running in it. It has become a great way to stay in shape for me and the mental benefits are off the charts.

I have no idea why I continued to run when it was so hard for me for so long.  I have no idea what made it eventually “click” for me. I have no idea how long I will stick with it but for now, running is the most amazing thing I can do for myself each week.

My current training schedule consists of exercising 7 days a week. I have learned a lot about myself and what it takes to keep me on track with exercise and not skipping a day is essential. Currently I run 2-3x a week, bike 2-3x times a week and have 2 days of stretching and strength training. Other things that I mix into my weekly workouts include: elliptical, hula hooping, walking and swimming.

If you are thinking about taking up running (or any other fitness activity) here are some tips:

• Listen to your body.  Not every “beginner” plan is right for everyone.  Adjust as necessary.
• Give yourself one full year (yes a YEAR) to fall in love with something.
• Treat it like you would treat a romantic relationship.   Would you bail out on a marriage at the first sign of trouble?  Fitness routines, like relationships, are work.
• Surround yourself with people that support and encourage you.  This is essential.
• Find workout buddies.  Even if you workout with them just once a week having a commitment to meet up with friends for a workout is a great motivator to stay on track during the week.
• Talk to your doctor.  You should NEVER EVER EVER start a workout routine without clearance from your physician after getting a physical.
• Do your homework.  Make sure you know what to expect, the do’s and don’t’s of training and the how to’s of getting it done.
• Watch what you put in your body.  Eat right and stay hydrated.
• Be prepared for changes in how you feel both emotionally and physically.
• Expect people close to you to be frustrated (at times) by your commitment to yourself and your health.

Finding time to exercise is a choice that I have made. It is a promise to myself to live a healthy life. It is true, I had to give up something to find the time to add exercise to my daily routine. It IS a lifestyle change but the good news is, it IS possible. As the single parent of two young children I know it is possible. I’ve made the commitment.

Are you ready to make the commitment to your health?

Tagged as: half marathon, Kazoofus, running, Training