What can I say? Life gets in the way sometimes.
Unfortunately for me, life got in the way for a couple years, and I stopped running. Sadly, I didn’t stop eating like I was still marathon training, and it caught up with me.
But when Covid hit and I no longer left the house to go to the office, I started to notice that the only clothes of mine that fit well were sweats, and my jeans weren’t fitting right. Truth is they hadn’t been fitting right for months, but regardless, I made myself a promise that when we went back to work (which I figured would be only a few months), I’d at least be able to feel a bit more comfortable in my jeans.
So, I started like I had when I first started years ago. Walk for a while and then run until I couldn’t, then walk again and repeat. I did this for a few weeks on and off, and then a few more excuses piled up and I started to get frustrated.
Finally – and luckily – I’m stubborn, so when I read an article about someone who ran a 5k every day for 30 days in a row, I set out to do just that. Of course, I know I’m older, and I’d like to think I’m a bit wiser than I used to be, so I knew I couldn’t just go from 0 to 30 days of 5ks.
Bit by bit, I gradually built up to doing 5ks a couple times a week. At first my times were way off what they used to be, but I was focused, and ultimately, who cares about your time. The goal is to get out there, don’t get hurt, and be consistent.
So I kept with it, and being the un-planned, not-always-wise-choice type of person I am, I decided that I’d do my 30 days of 5ks in December. To be fair, I didn’t really decide to do it, but after running 2 or 3 days in a row in early December, I figured, ‘lets go for it’.
And you know what? I did it! I’m still motivated by my Apple Watch, and I got back into tracking things with the Nike Run Club app. Not only did my stubbornness prevail, but my clothes fit a bit better now, and I’ve gained a renewed interest in running.
So – as long as there’s not a lot of ice or deep snow, I plan on continuing with at least one 5k a week – hopefully more – and I plan on doing another 30 day challenge in the spring!