Today I ran in my very first 5K.
My sister and I went to York, NE to participate in a 5K for Tiny Hands International. It was for a great cause, plus it gave me the encouragement that this is something I could enjoy doing more often.
I've never been very good with consistent exercise. Like most people, my excuse has always been I just don't have time. Well about 6 weeks ago a friend wanted to start a groupon for kickboxing. Since I didn't want to start our month until after fall break, we decided to run to get "warmed up" for the class. (oh boy am I glad that I did!)
My sister and I went to York, NE to participate in a 5K for Tiny Hands International. It was for a great cause, plus it gave me the encouragement that this is something I could enjoy doing more often.
I've never been very good with consistent exercise. Like most people, my excuse has always been I just don't have time. Well about 6 weeks ago a friend wanted to start a groupon for kickboxing. Since I didn't want to start our month until after fall break, we decided to run to get "warmed up" for the class. (oh boy am I glad that I did!)
After a couple of weeks, I wanted to run more consistently. I do okay alternating between kickboxing and running. I'm proud to say for the first time I'm running consistently under a 11 minute mile. Which is a huge accomplishment for me. I'm also able to run 4 miles at a time, also a big accomplishment.
As for kickboxing- I've learned I sweat more than the average person. I have to wear a headband now, so the salt doesn't get in my eyes. And I've been trying to decide if it is actually helpful for self defense, I doubt the first thing I would think of if I got attacked was to pull out some Jackie Chan kick.
I've also found my new favorite accoutrement- the Nike+ program. I bought a used ipod nano on craigslist for $30, and a nike+ pedometer to plug into the nano to use as my pedometer. Tracking it online, meeting challenges and seeing progress....its everything I needed to keep going.
A few other things I've learned.
- Kickboxing is hard
- I need to start running indoors, this cool air is a killer
- You're MUCH more aware of what you're eating after 3 miles of running and only working off that bag of chips you downed after school
- Showering becomes less important if you are "only going to get sweaty again tomorrow"
- I need a buddy system to keep me accountable
- Pink always seems to be cheaper when buying shoes, shorts, ipod armband, sensor case....so I look like Elle Woods when I'm running. Even though pink is not my preferred color.
- Your body NEEDS rest. That isn't a crutch. If I don't rest one day a week, I start to get sick to my stomach after too many days straight.
For those of you who are athletic...this may not sound like much. But it is a HUGE start for me.
8 comments:
Congrats on the 5k!!
Jenny
www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com
Congratulations! I ran one a year or so ago and felt like I was going to fall down and die at the end. Mostly because I wasn't as prepared as I should have been, but, you know, whatever.
That's great about the kickboxing, too!
Also, I'm not ignoring your email! Well, I kind of am - it's just been a crazy week. I'll write you back soon!
Congrats on the 5k finish! I'll have to look into the Nike+ thing. I've heard of it, but wasn't sure if it was helpful/worth it. I just started running more in the past year too (and then I moved away from my running partner and went back to not running, so I totally understand the needing a buddy system!).
Congrats on your 5K! I ran one about a year ago, and that was my last one. Haha! I took a kickboxing class though and I loved it! I found that having that class on a regular basis and having the trainer push me, really helped me to stay motivated. Good luck to you and congrats again on your run!
Congratulations on your first 5k! And I'm with you on the cold weather running thing. I can't afford a gym membership so I'm searching craigslist for a treadmill.
That's amazing!! Believe me, I know the feeling of having an accomplishment that may not seem great to others, but those are HUGE! I love seeing women find power in themselves when they do things like this! Congrats on your first 5k, I'm sure it won't be your last! I'm going to have to give kickboxing a try and a buddy system seems to always be the best motivator! Keep it up! :)
Congrats! Out of curiosity, how is your leg doing with the running? Does the nerve unpinch as you work out? Or is it only an on and off problem? Coming from a medical background, this intrigues me =)
Congrats on the 5K! Where do you go for kickboxing? My family joined a gym that just opened somewhere in NE Lincoln not long ago and they really enjoy it.
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