Friday, June 10, 2016

Just One Step...

It’s Friday night and I’m sitting at my work desk filled with nerves and doubt. In just over 12-hours, I’ll be doing something I’ve never done before, something I’ve always wanted to do, and something I wish I would have trained for.

I’m running (ok, I use that term loosely – let’s call it a jog / mainly walking) my very first 5K.



*wipes sweat off my forehead*

Is this real life? Am I really about to do this? And did I really sign up for a 5K without having any intention of actually training for one?

Without going into great detail about my life – I have struggled with weight for as long as I can remember. As I look in the mirror, I know I’m at the heaviest I’ve ever been and there’s no doubt it’s affecting my health. Losing weight and living a healthy lifestyle is easy on paper, but difficult in reality.

But is it?

It’s one step… then another… then another… yet another will follow.

One step at a time.

I’ve wanted to get into running for a long time. In fact, in 2007 I joined the Running Room in Saskatoon. It was a lot of fun but I had to drop it as it conflicted with my work schedule.

*sigh* Always an excuse

One of my biggest fears is coming in last. It’s stupid really… like does it really matter how I finish? All that matters is that I did something that so many don’t… start AND finish.

A month ago, my friend asked me to sign up for YEG Pride Run. I hesitated and looked for every excuse possible, but finally, I gave in and said yes.

I could have trained… I could have even gone for one run…

But instead of feeling sorry for myself, I’m going to take a different approach. I’m going to use this as an opportunity to fuel my desire to actually compete in a 5K.

This will be the first time I get to wear an official race number – a bib that I will keep forever. Even if I can only run for 30sec before walking, I will at least get a taste of what a 5K is like. I will prove to myself that I can do this. I can break down the mental barriers and inspire myself to get off the couch, lace up my runners and take the first step towards a healthy lifestyle.

It won’t be easy.

There will be more excuses along the way.

I’ll have to modify my eating habits as well.

But it’s one step… one step at a time.

I can…

No…

I WILL do this.

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