So , I started this Blog and then never really published the posts about our journey of purchasing our own home. We will officially have been homeowners for 3 years in June and thus this blog is 3 years old and never seen the world. Perhaps it's time that I make it published? Anyways- new journey's. That's what this Dirt Road Dream is going to be. And this year- 2014- I'm starting with a new me.
I'm not really sure when it started or where I got the idea. Last year at this time, at the age of 31- ugh- I said I wanted to do a 5K. The replies I got-"oh, yeah" and "uh, huh." Thanks for the vote of confidence there. Anyways, I should probably start with that I'm not an athlete. Well I used to be. I've not been physically active like that in 14 years. So I did a lot of 'talking' about doing that 5K but I didn't do anything about it. But in the back of my mind it was there and the idea came back around New Years. Now this year we have had one of the longest winters that I can remember in a while and I think it probably seemed 'long' because we've been spoiled the last few years with 'easy' ones. Anyways, I want to do a 5K and not just walk it, but run it. Enter my cousin, best friend, Heather- "Em, I'll do it with you."- It's a plan and the goal was set. The hope is to do the Penguin Run/Walk in October. Enter in Libby- my cousin-in-law- "We should do a race in Disney. They have cool medals."- Yes, we should. The Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon is at the same time we'll be in Disney in 2015, so we have plans for the Royal Family 5K. So, once again all this was, was 'talk' on my part. I could dream, I could plan. But was I willing to make it a reality? Would I be successful?
April soon approached and I thought, that means nice weather. Ha.. I planned to start walking April 1st. I did go for a walk on the 1st, but it was more of a stroll and it was short. I went again on the 2nd. Tedy seemed to be happy to be out, but in my head all I could think about was, how am I ever going to run a 5K. I felt so out of shape, tired out, drained. I didn't want to walk, I just wanted to turn around, go home and plop myself in front the TV and continue to Dream about doing that 5K. I could do that. That's easy.
The weather and other events the rest of the week prevented me from walking anymore. Than came a post from Heather, she'd started to train and she had run! Yeah, go Heather! She'd done 2 runs and was feeling proud and good about herself. and that's what I needed.
On Monday, April 7, 2014. I laced up my sneakers, put the leash on Tedy, strapped my phone to my arm with MapMyRun on and I walked/ran for 1.04 miles. I started out with a walk, then decided I needed to at least see if I could run some. I ran, although it's probably a jog, for about a minute. I thought I was going to end up with a charlie horse right then. I debated on turning around, but we kept going. I walked a large part of that mile, but did run the same distance on the way back. When all was done, I'd gone 1.04 miles and it had only been 24:32 minutes. Some of that time was getting the phone strapped to my arm and unstrapped to stop the time, along with getting Tedy hooked/un-hooked to his leash. I figure at least 4 minutes was spent in total doing that. I'd done it. I'd moved more than a few feet.
The next day, it poured rain. I kept waiting for a break, so that I could try this run thing again, but it didn't let up. I wasn't feeling up to going in the cold rain yet.
Wednesday, was a little chilly 38, but we went again. This time, I started the CK5 app on my phone that has you do a 5 minute walk warm-up, and then do 8 reps of run for 60 secs, walk for 90 secs. The walk/run totals out to 20 minutes. And that's what I did. Although, I missed the last cycle on of walk/run and the cool down, because someone got off his leash. But still when that all happened, I made it 1.32 miles in 23:59. And I felt good.
I've also changed my eating habits or am trying to. I don't do breakfast. I never really have, but I hear that it's good to eat something in the morning. I've been eating a cereal/fiber bar in the morning. That's a start. I've been drinking more water, but I've increased my intake and I've had only 1 soda all week. I've also made an effort to eat lunch and dinner. I've been known not to eat anything until dinner time, which isn't good and I know this, but it was just easier some days. I'm using MyFitnessPal to track calories and food. I'll see how that goes. The amount of calories it says I'm supposed to eat in a day just seems outrageous. I hope to have at least lost a little weight by Tuesday. That's weigh in day.
So last night, Tedy and I actually ended up running again. It was later in the evening and I didn't think I'd have time to go, but at 7:30 we headed out. This time, I did the full 5 minute warm-up, followed by all 8 reps of walk/run. The last few runs were a little slow. But I did all 8. I clocked 1.30 miles in 24:47. I shut the miles/time off for the 5 minute cool down, as I needed to stretch and wasn't really moving any distance. So MapMyRun says I have a 19:04 minute/mile. I don't think that's bad for day 3 or day 2, depending on how you look at it. I'm up and moving. That's what counts.
I read that it takes 21 days for something to become a habit. I need this to become a habit. I already feel like I have more energy. Maybe I do, maybe I don't. It might be the nice weather we have finally gotten with warmer temps. But regardless. I've done 3 days of something that some laughed and continue to laugh that I wouldn't be able to do.
"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great."
