I wish I could sugar coat this, truly. But I can’t – and I won’t.
Odds are week 1 is going to suck.
It’s gonna suck in an OMG I’M GONNA DIE way.
Sure, there are some people that will launch an app and go through without much of an issue, I am jealous of those people. But, if you are like I was and this was your beginning attempt at running without being incredibly fit from other sports – it will suck.
While I’m laying this out on the line, I’d better let you know that week 2 might suck, too. Now, it’s not going to suck as much since your body will have already started to adapt to the action of running, but there will still be a degree of suck.
But, even with the suck factor pretty high, don’t lose heart, my fellow snails! There is hope. LOTS of hope.
You see, as you keep with your program, your body will start to change. It will get stronger, your lungs and heart will realize this is the type of thing that makes their existence more interesting. Soon, you will look back on weeks 1 and 2 and think “wow, that seems easy now!”
I promise.
But until then, you need to push through the suck and don’t let it stop you from reaching your goal – and you will reach it.
Another truth bomb: your body is going to protest.
Long ignored muscles will make their presence known and you may even experience some soreness and tightness in places you didn’t know existed. I discovered this odd little spot on the outside back of my calf that decided it had had enough one day and tightened up like a bow string. Thankfully, some stretching helped calm it back down, but that was only part of it. My quads and hamstrings decided they weren’t happy about their long time nap being disturbed and voiced their displeasure by shaking a bit as I stood for the first few days.
It is not long that these protesting body parts will figure out that this movement is making them stronger and more useful and they’ll soon be raring to go in no time.
Final truth bomb in this little piece: your mind is going to be your biggest obstacle in this whole thing.
Barring injury or illness, your body is going to adapt and do what you ask it to do. The trouble often comes in the asking Your mind will tell you you can’t do this, that you are tired and there is NO WAY you could go another few minutes.
Your mind is a liar.
As you continue in your running – or any other type of sport – your mind may be your biggest enemy. Learning how to overcome those doubts and negative voices will be an important part of your training. Doubt will sink a good run faster than anything. Beat it.
You are strong.
You are capable.
You WILL run a 5k.
Promise.
Leave a Reply