For a while I have been debating trying to start running. Obviously, I was going to be an instant champion at it, right? It’s an admirable but sometimes defeatist quality of mine that I must be an instant pro at everything that I set out to do, surpassing all steps in between and exceeding perfection. So many times in my life I have given up many things that I have set out to do because I have become frustrated with my inability to live up to my own expectations.
Well, I am going to run a 5k even if it takes me 5 years.
I read through the Couch to 5k website about 5k times, downloaded a c25k podcast, and have been going for some 5k walks to show myself that, hey, it’s not really that far. I have gotten myself in a lot better shape in the process – a shape that is a lot less round.
Today I was really excited. I was going to start my little program. I was going to move faster and I was going to run. There were no time limits and nobody was watching me and I felt absolutely amazing. I got up at 5am for my first running endeavor. I put on clothes that I could actually run in, I got all psyched, and turned on the podcast. I was feeling awesome. I walked to warm up for 5 minutes and then I went for it. I was going somewhere!
My shorts also went somewhere.
Straight to the ground.
At first I was absolutely mortified, but then I realized there was nobody around to be mortified for. Well, except for the sheep who seemed to be bleating in laughter along with me. I laughed too as I pulled them back up. I pulled the drawstring as tight as they could go and made a new knot. I smiled, with renewed dignity and looked around me at the farms and the mountains and the clear skies of New Zealand.
It’s amazing what losing 25 pounds and gaining a new attitude can do for you.
“Runners run for the finish line even if someone else got there first.” -Author Unknown
I read that originally as YOU fell on the ground, not your shorts! Shorts are SO MUCH funnier!!! :D
I think that’s a successful first run, don’t you?
I ♥ Couch to 5k!! I’m planning on running my second 5k next June.
That’s awesome. Haha. It’s good no one was around to see but if that doesn’t show progress in weight loss, I don’t know what does. Go Caity!
Yay! It takes a while, but you will get ADDICTED to running! I’m so glad you’re joining the dark side!!
Haha :D That made me laugh :) Good for you for starting running! I wish I was able to do so, but I think it’s way to boring. Unfortunately! I can’t wait to hear how it goes for you :)
Wow, congrats at losing 25 pounds! The Couch to 5K looks pretty cool…. if only it wasn’t -4 C here! x
Awesome Caity! you go girl! (imagine me on the sidelines cheering you on!)
I love that story! And good for you for starting the C25K program, it’s definitely a good place to start.
Congratulations! :D My mom has been losing weight, too, and it has helped her to gain confidence! I’m not overweight, but I’m not in shape, either. I am working on losing weight. It’s just hard to get started. :(
Yepp. The center ended up taking the longest because the kids wanted to either NOT COLOR or take their time coloring. Ahahh.
:O
I started running late last year, but then I stopped because the weather got bad (well, that was one of my excuses :P), but now that it’s nice again I plan to resume. I think actually trying to start such a program is the hardest bit…
Sooo proud of you!!!! I too started running about 2 years ago . Could not run for more than 2 minutes without gasping for air before.. Did two 5Ks in past 2 years.. Little by little, you will build to it too. And folks here are right- its addicting, especially when u are able to run 30+ mins non stop.. Keep up with is and another 20 lbs will be gone before you can even blink.. Awesome job, Caity :)
Awww that’s funny but awesome for you! You go girl!
You should check out my friend Andi’s blog… she’s a running coach… she’s got a lot of tips in there to keep you motivated. http://hitandrunnerscoach.blogspot.com/
I think if I lived there I’d take up running too. I bet it feels awesome.
I’ve tried running outside, but the cars scare me, my shins hurt something terrible after about two minutes, and I have the allergies too. I’ll stick to my elliptical and treadmill.
Congrats Caity!! That is awesome! And a great story to start off your endeavor to run 5K. I think I am going to have to check out that website. I myself am not a runner, I like to walk. I’ve done three (or four…?) 10K walks and found it very uplifting. It’s nice to feel accomplished. And I have the same problem that if I can’t do something right away I give up, or put it off for a while and just never go back to it. I’m happy for you that you found a new attitude :) It is quite amazing what it can do for your confidence!
Love your blog….just added it to my reader.
Good luck on the couch to 5k! I tried it a while back, but never finished. Maybe I should get around to trying it again…
This is wonderful to hear Caity! Sadly, i can’t do a whole lot of running on the ice/snow that just hit the grounds :( I need a treadmill!
Hey, good for you!! That’s awesome. I can’t wait to read more about your running endeavors. I literally LOLed at your shorts story. That sounds like something that would happen to me, haha. At least no one was around!
Wow, congrats! I am only awake at 5am at the moment because I am doing graveyard shift :P Not sure I could get up and run at that time.
I had a similar issue with pants when I was skipping (with a skipping rope) jump, jump, pants fall down.
It’s great that you kept on going though :)
I’ve never seen couch to 5K either, going to take a look now.
Congrats on the weight loss – you have definitely inspired me to work harder and go for a run as well.
Keep it up!!! I’d love to see your progress
Though I giggled at your story
PS are there lots of sheep there where you live?
I LOVE SHEEEEEEEEEEP!
Woo keep up the good work! You’ll be running marathons in no time ;)
Hi, Caitlin! It sounds like somebody needs some new shorts! Christmas is coming! Thanks for giving me another idea! ~ Congratulations on your weight loss and your progress with your walking/running program! I’m very proud of you! Love and miss you! Love, Mom xoxo
Who knew having your shorts fall to the ground could make one so happy. :P That’s too funny! And I am happy for you — for the lose of weight, of course. :D Congrats! I am very excited to hear that you have such strong plans & ambitions to run a 5k. That is something, I too, would love to do one day. I have been wanting to get out and run as well — your blog entry may have just given me the initial push I needed! :D
Go Caity, go!
That’s great, Caity:) Good luck with the running:)
Congratulations on the weight loss. Weight loss means buying new clothes, which is always fun! Looking forward to hearing about your progress for the 5K run.
By the way, I love your Daily Booth photo (the stuffy nose one, although sorry to hear about the stuffy nose). The colours are great, and your expression is adorable. =)
I haven’t visited in a while… hello, Caity! :P
Wow, congrats on losing 25 pounds! That’s a really funny story as well. :D I’m looking forward to the day when you tell us all about your 5k run. I’m sure it’ll happen soon. :)
I think it’s awesome that you have decided to try and run 5K. It might not be the easiest thing to do but it will make one feel better to accomplish something like this :D I’m sure you can do it Caity!
And congrats on loosing 25 pounds, that’s even more amazing!
Caity — LOL I imagine the sheep enjoyed the show.It also nice that you had to make the drawstring TIGHTER, which I assume is to due to 5K walks?
I’ll tell you one thing I know — With your attitude and a new pair of shorts, you’ll make that 5K run:~)
p.s thanks for stopping by my site. I didn’t realize you were posting again and I am DELIGHTED to have you back. I’ll be visiting again soon:~)
We did it online, but we still had to go into the office to get the things linked. ^^
At first, I thought you were my age or something. But I didn’t think too much into it. :]
LOL! i laughed so hard reading that part about your shorts. just the other day i was helping mom lift a box to move it to another room and my pj pants fell straight off me! weight loss, another reason to make sure you are wearing clean underwear :p congrats on losing 25lbs! you are doing great and good luck on your running :D
Best of luck! I want to do C25K sometime, too. It’ll probably after the new year and after the new baby, though.
Wow go Caity! I am not a runner AT ALL but I totally need to start some kind of routine.
I hope your week is going good. :) Have a great weekend! :]
Congrats on the 25 pound weight-loss and attitude adjustment. ;) I’m so very happy for you and can’t wait to hear about more of your successes in New Zealand!
My gosh, the shorts! I’m glad you dealt with it and kept going – I’d have frozen still I think.
Congratulations on the weight loss and good luck on the 5k journey <3
I love the quote that you posted in this entry, too.
*HUGS* Go Caity! *cheers on* You totally have a new sense of motivation now. I’m glad it wasn’t you who fell; that would be a shame if you forgot how to run!
Admittedly I’m not a fan of running either. The kind of exercise I like to do involves yoga, stretching and dancing. XD
P.S. I bet you’re glad it’s summer round the southern hemisphere; it would suck to run in the snow! ;)
The Blogger
I'm Caity! I am a New Yorker who married a Kiwi and recently moved across the world to New Zealand. I'm a math teacher who enjoys the outdoors, photography, video games, music, and general geekery.
Life is a great big adventure and I am beginning a whole new journey. It isn't always easy but it is always worth it. ♥
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