It is time for a confession. I haven’t run since April. We are talking THREE months here people.
I have plenty of reasons and excuses for why I haven’t been running (and many of them are valid), but enough is enough. Starting today I am going to get back on track. I’m going to get back to running. I’m going to start feeling better about myself. How am I going to do it you ask? Well the answer is two fold.
First off I signed up for my first race of the season – the Battle of the Bands 5k. I’ve done this race in the past and really enjoyed it, so I figured it was a great place to start. Plus the race is start is less than 2 miles from my house.
Second, I reinstalled the Couch to 5k app on my phone. But Meghan, haven’t you run 18 half marathons? Why would you need the couch to 5k app? Because I do better with a plan. I do better with accountability. If I can get myself back to a good place with the 5k distance then I’m sure I can get myself back to a good place with the 10k or half marathon.
So three days a week I will be following the Couch to 5k program, either at the gym or outside. It is insanely hot here right now, but it is still going to be hot in September so I just need to suck it up and get outside.
If you have been following this blog for any amount of time you are probably thinking about how you’ve seen posts like this before, so what makes this time any different? I really don’t know. I just have to have faith that THIS is the time it is going to stick and its going to work. I love running and I want to get back to it.
I have new running shoes, a plan, and a goal.
I Can and I WILL do this.
I’m right there with you. I have been injured and doing other things but my last run was early May. I just took a break altogether and am still on that break. Plus, summer has been busy with vacations, doctor’s appointments (for said injury), events, and it’s hot out. None of us are getting paid to run or making money, we are doing it because it brings us joy and is a hobby… people take breaks from other hobbies and running is no different.
It is A-OK to start back with couch to 5k or run/walk for a few weeks too. I would say that’s the best thing to do because after time off, you risk getting hurt or like me, reinjured. Better to take it easier for at least a month or so and ease yourself back in so that you don’t get hurt and have setbacks.
Im definitely going to take it easy, don’t wanna hurt myself anymore.
Hey Meghan- Sorry running has been tough for you lately. I stopped a couple of years back and I don’t regret it for one second. I was not enjoying it anymore and my body didn’t like it. You don’t need to explain yourself on this blog or anywhere. You also don’t need to feel guilty. I always hated the guilt I would feel from not running. Another reason why it was not worth it for me to continue. If running makes you happy, keep doing it but don’t feel like you need to explain lapses or changes in routine. That’s life. Free yourself from those expectations.
You are so so right! These posts are me about accountability than anything else. I really used to love running and hope to get back there. If not, ill find something else 💜
My body has been giving me fits since my thyroid surgery 2 1/2 years ago and running has been physically painful. I made the decision that walking is just as good as running, at least for now, because at least I’m doing SOMETHING!! Good luck!!
Walking is just as good! Sometimeslistening to your body means changing things up.
This is exactly what I was looking for!