A new title, a new image, a new beginning.
It has been nearly 3 weeks since I finished running my first half marathon. These 3 weeks have been nothing like I expected. Remember walking into your house for the first time with your newborn baby? You were pretty excited when you left the hospital, right? But when you walked in the door at home and you set that car seat on the kitchen table and you looked at your baby, did you not think "oh god, what the hell am I supposed to do now?"
That's kind of how I've been feeling post half marathon. I prepared and anticipated and trained and read and etc., etc., etc., for almost 9 months. I had pain and fears, bought outfits, worried about what I ate and drank. The big day came and it was more amazing than I could ever have planned for. But then I got home and set my suitcase on the table and thought "oh god, what the hell am I supposed to do now?" I let myself feel that way for about a week and now I have, very slowly, started thinking about what comes next.
I've been running, and doing yoga, and I'm taking my first spin class tomorrow. It's important to me to maintain the level of fitness I reached during my training. It's also important to me that I don't have to switch back to the fat pants, again. I plan to run a couple of half marathons in 2011 and actually already have a couple of short races planned in the next few weeks.
What I'd really like to do is help other beginners get started. I'm no expert, not even close. But I do know how scary getting started can be. I had so many excuses; no time, couldn't afford a gym membership, no training partner, felt guilty spending so much time on this when I should be with my family. Not ONE of those excuses is valid, trust me. There is no good excuse for ignoring what your body needs to be healthy. Once you can come to terms with that, you are ready to get started.
The next thing you need to do is find something that you can tolerate doing a lot of. It would actually help if you kind of enjoyed it! Don't be afraid to try some new things. Believe me, NO ONE in Zumba class cares if you are not coordinated, no one in yoga class is judging your level of flexibility, no one is watching your speed on the treadmill at the gym, and only you are aware of how funny your head looks in a bike helmet. It's time to let go of these self doubts and allow yourself the freedom to enjoy something that is good for you.
Now, ease into it at your pace. If you are going to get into biking, don't attempt to bike around Lake Winnebago on your old Huffy the first time out! Talk to the yoga instructor and find out which class is right for a beginner before you walk into a class full of masters who can stand on their heads for 20 minutes. And for God's sake, if you plan to start running, get some decent shoes and be ok with walking a lot at first.
Still scared? It's ok. Just stop running away from it. The fear will chase you, taunt you, dare you to fail. You can kill that fear by proving it wrong. Walk a mile. Still scared? Don't turn your back. Mock that fear by proving it wrong. Learn to use the machines at the gym that you've avoided. Still scared? You will be until you take it on. Fear is weak and will run in the other direction the minute you challenge it. Get the laundry off your stationary bike and pedal for 15 minutes.
Don't worry, I still get scared too. In fact, I'm going to this spin class tomorrow, my first one ever. I've already got myself convinced that I will probably die. We'll see.
If you need a little boost, a little motivation, a little inspiration, come to my house on Sunday at 10:00 AM. I'm hosting a 5K in honor of the holiday and the tiny candy bars that come with it. No matter your ability level, you will not be alone. There will be kids and adults, walkers and runners, people who are confident and people who are still feeling insecure. But all of us will have fun and feel good about our accomplishment when we are finished. Please join us.
Unless you are scared!
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