How focusing on the 5 km distance got me back up and running

You may remember my post about me walking the 10km event at the Melbourne Marathon last year. I've tried to train to run 10km numerous times over the years and always ended up spending a fortune at the osteopath sorting out lower back and hip issues that kept reoccurring. So I'd swapped my running shoes for walking and spin classes for a while.

Still, with the prospect of my black belt on the horizon, I started thinking about ways to increase my cardiovascular fitness. Hubby had joined a local running group and was really enjoying it and he encouraged me to go along to one of their regular beginners nights. Of course I had all the usual worries about being the fattest and slowest and holding everyone up, but it wasn't like that at all. It was a great group of supportive people who catered for all levels. So I started walk/running about 4km with them twice a week. I didn't have any major issues with my back or hips and the little improvements I was seeing each week spurred me on. 

After a little while I also decided to start coming along to the local parkrun on a Saturday, and set myself the goal of being able to run the whole 5km without stopping. I achieved that after a few weeks and then I set my sights on a sub-35 min time, which I achieved a few weeks ago. 

What's the point of this post? The point is that sometimes setting smaller goals is ok. A lot of people get into running with the goal of running a marathon one day. I've got a lot of friends who run half and full marathons and so I thought I had to at least focus on the 10k to be able to call myself a runner. In pushing myself to achieve that I kept ending up injured and giving up. It wasn't fun.

The point is that you have to start where you are. In focusing on the 5km distance I've actually started to really enjoy running. I'm building the strength in my body and I'm seeing measurable improvements every week. It's fun!!

I've signed up for the 5.7 km run at the Gold Coast marathon next month and I'm looking forward to it. I know I'll be able to do it without causing myself injury or pain. 

I have also signed up for the 10km at the Melbourne marathon in October but at least by that time I'll have built my strength and fitness up to a point that I can do it comfortably rather than pushing my body to do something that it's not ready for.

The point is - it's good to have big scary goals and to challenge yourself, but don't forget to set the little goals along the way that will help you to get there.

Most importantly, don't let anyone (including yourself!) minimise your goals or achievements, or tell you they are not "big" enough - it's all relative!

12 months of no quitting

Remember me?! I'm still here working on my food and body stuff, trying new things, learning more about what works and what doesn't, and I've realised that it's pretty easy to get stuck. 

This realisation came to me during a Taekwondo class a few weeks ago, our instructor had us go through a visioning exercise where we had to think about our ideal life - it got me thinking that I've always had this dream of getting to the point where I could help and inspire other people like me. For years I thought that once I got my weight "under control" I would like to help other women do the same, now I'd like it to be more about inspiring and helping women to take care of themselves, to find and embrace a happy, healthy relationship with food, exercise and their bodies.

The thing holding me back from doing this right now is that I've not really cemented this change in habits and mindset into my own life yet. I'm not striving for perfection - but for more consistency in getting to the gym, eating mindfully and not letting the binge monster take hold.

Inspired by our visioning session in class, I decided to have a coaching session with Michelle last weekend. We got to talking about how I really don't have a lot of faith in myself anymore with regards to seeing things through - I've started and then stopped so many different things over the years that I've come to see myself as a bit of a quitter.

That's when Michelle suggested the concept of setting myself the challenge of "12 months of no quitting". Imagine if I set myself a goal and became determined to achieve it. What if everyday I set the intention that I would not stop? That I would try my best to make sure my decisions were leading me towards, instead of away from that goal? Imagine how much self-esteem and self-belief I could build. Imagine how empowering it would be!

So, that's my current mission - 12 months, no quitting. I'm not talking about anything drastic or extreme - just going to the gym instead of staying in bed an extra hour, eating mindfully instead of binging. I'm going to blog the journey and hopefully inspire others to believe that they are also worth not giving up on.

I'm a week in and already realising it's not going to easy. It's easy to stay stuck in your comfort zone and not have to make an effort - but it also doesn't feel very good. Making a change is harder - but so worth it!

What's your big dream or goal? Want to join me in stopping at nothing to achieve it?