The Halloween 5K came and went this Sunday and I was not present. I did not achieve the goal I set for myself – but for a good reason. Instead I drove to Tucson, AZ for my nephew’s 1st Birthday party. Training for the 5K also went to pot after I sprained my ankle. I would post a photo but there is a strict ban on posting his cute face online so you will have to take my word for it.
As I was thinking about this post I thought to myself, my readers are going to think those are bunch of convenient excuses….maybe they are? However I am not sorry I got time with my nephew ( I call him my smoosh). He is growing up soooo fast and I am not there for so much of it. Additionally, I got to show support and care for my brother and sister-in-law which is important. Sometimes I feel like what I do isn’t enough but that’s a topic for another post.
My dude helped me with the drive and I don’t know if I could have done that quick a turn around without him. He really was my hero (even though he ate all my fries at our in-n-out stop ;p). We went to Saguaro National Park and stayed in a very nice hotel for a good price (thanks hoteltonight!). It was a nice little get away with him.
A small part of me still feels like a bit of a failure though. Why is that? Any insights?
So in continuing my building up to be able to run the Halloween 5K I went for a ‘ralk’ today. I ran at one minute or slightly over one minute intervals when I felt I could. I started out well and it got harder naturally as I got deeper into my ‘ralk.’ I learned some lessons on today’s ‘ralk’ and I am here to share them.
I am going to need a light knee brace to continue to do this. I have it under control when I am walking and me knee gives out but it happened when running and I almost ate it.
Always have a bathroom on my running path.
I need start carrying water.
Running on asphalt is better then sidewalk.
I need new running shoes in the near future.
I need shorts!
I had to stop for a water bottle at Sprouts (forgive me environment I really need the hydration). So I stopped in at Home Goods while I was at it in search of night stands and lesson #2 (hahahahaha ok I am a child).
In the last half mile of my ‘ralk’ I got tired and there were a bunch of butterflies so I decided I was done with the R (running) portion of my walk. As I was walking a butterfly gave me a high five (ok it flew into my hand but it counts). I didn’t even have my hand out it was just by side. That butterfly encouraged me to run another 1/4 mile. That might not sound like a whole lot to you or any experienced runner but it was a lot to me when I was tired, hot, and didn’t wanna run anymore. Thanks little butterfly!
I may be slower then a turtle but I am out there doing it!
…and setting my own p(e)ace and finding new ways to challenge myself.
Exercise has been an important part of my life for the last five years. It was something I fell into while I was in Hood River, Oregon and felt really alone. I joined a gym and went to group classes with the main goal of making friends. I started taking Zumba because a new friend (from a meetup group) went to that class. Being in that class was the beginning of the road to inclusion in Hood River and a lifelong appreciation for the positive changes it brought to my life that I didn’t expect.
After a few weeks of Zumba my friend suggested I try a class called R.I.P.P.E.D. I was skeptical because I wasn’t in great shape but I showed up…and it changed me. That first class was hard and I was sweating like I had some kind of fever…and it was awesome! The even better part was how welcoming all the members of the class were. The more classes I attended the better it got. I was excited to be a part of a group and have something outside of work in Hood River to be a part of and do.
Then I started seeing changes in my body. I was building muscle for the first time in a long time. I realized that skinny is great but strong is sexy. I felt better about myself both inside and out; the class was a great place to release my anxiety. It is the greatest benefit of exercise I have found. I do workout for my physical health but for my mental health as well.
Fast forward a bit and I was in another new town where I didn’t know anybody, Dana Point. The first thing I did once settled was find a R.I.P.P.E.D. class. Eventually, I found one I could afford and once again I had a group I belonged to in a place foreign to me. I had a touch stone where I was welcomed and made a little fit family. I look forward not only to the class and release of anxiety, but to seeing all of my fit family at the class.
Exercise (R.I.P.P.E.D. specifically) and the people in my fit family have truly made my life better physically and emotionally. I am not sure what I would have done without finding that outlet and I am really grateful for it. R.I.P.P.E.D. is a huge part of setting my own p(e)ace and I will keep it in my life for a long time.
I do want to keep challenging myself with physical goals I never thought I could achieve. That is why I have set the goal of running in the Halloween 5K. Running is never something I have ever thought possible or taken joy in. I know I have discussed this before but now it’s time to really start tackling this challenge. I have no idea how to go from I hate running to crushing a 5K but I will figure it out. Let’s see where this new physical challenge leads me in setting my own p(e)ace.
Check back here and my insta – setmyownp.e.ace to follow my journey to the Halloween 5K and achieving this new fitness goal.
I need a good suggestion for quality running shoes. Anyone have a brand you love?
Set My Own P(e)ace 