Recently, my cousin invited me to do a 5k with her. She loves to run and has done many 5ks and 10ks. I’m a total novice. I walked a half marathon in 2008 and a 5k last year. Running is not something I’ve ever really thought much about until recently. Now, however, it seems like everyone is running – friends and coworkers all seem to be lacing up their sneakers and hitting the pavement (or the treadmill) on a regular basis.
Growing up, I hated running. I was the kid who got excused from the running portion of phys-ed. I was never the fastest or even the somewhat fast kid. I just wasn’t that interested either. I played volleyball until the 6th grade and then I packed in my ball and decided to sit on the sidelines. I participated in zero team sports all through high school – unless you count the marketing club – I was just not a person who ran.
When I started working out a few years ago it was mostly strength-training. I walked 40 minutes to the office each day and hit the elliptical twice a week – I felt great. But running? Nope. Not going to happen. I felt resigned to just being a gym rat – I’m good at that, after all.
I posted my fears about my cousin’s invite on Twitter, though, and several very wise women who I follow assured me I could not only do it, but that I could do it really well. They sent me links to apps to help track my progress and were so positive and supportive. I realized that there was nothing holding me back from trying besides me. One of my goals for this year was to try things that scare me – so why not? I think I will sign up for that 5k and for the one in October that we’re doing to support the charity at my office. Challenges are good.
And I have to say that if you want a cheering squad for something like this – the Twitterverse can be a great motivator. I haven’t met any of the women who sent me info and support in person, but they were all there to tell me that I could and should do this. Now I have to show them that they were right!
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