Happy Friday and International Women’s Day everyone! I just got back from my first running experience this week – oops!

My goal for this week was to run three miles total, and I planned on running at least a mile three days this past week, but that didn’t happen. So, this morning when I got ready for class I threw on my only pair of workout leggings and a t-shirt and sweatshirt and told myself I would go to the fieldhouse after class and run on the indoor track.

(Side note: On Wednesday, it got up to almost 40^oF here, the snow started to melt. I was really hoping I’d be able to go on an outdoor run this week, but alas, we got another two inches of snow Wednesday night. This weekend is supposed to be above freezing and rainy so I’m hoping that will take care of the snow for a while.)

Also, I figured I’d start to lose credibility if I didn’t start running soon. It’s really hard to write for a blog about running if you don’t actually run.

So, after my 8 a.m., I drove over to the fieldhouse, went inside, plugged my earbuds into my phone, turned on some upbeat music, and started running around the track. And then I stopped about 20 feet in so I start my running function on my Fitbit.

I then ran about a mile, and I felt really good. I didn’t want to push myself too hard on the first day of running though, so after I finished my mile I decided to take a short, one lap walking break around the track.

Mother Nature has such an interesting sense of humor though. Remember how I just said I felt fine while running? Well, when I started walking, I experienced the worst cramps I think I’ve ever felt in my entire life. So I finished the lap, and went to the bathroom, hoping they would pass quickly. Instead, the discomfort just intensified and I wondered if I would even be able to walk back out to get my coat and leave.

I managed to walk back out to the bleachers and sat down next to where I placed my coat and water bottle. The cramps were still very present. I even began to feel like I might throw up, so I just threw my sweatshirt back on, grabbed the rest of my belongings and scurried as quickly as I could out to my car.

Not even five minutes later I pull up to the stop sign across from the street my apartment is on, and I felt completely fine. I get to apartment, walk inside, and I felt like I could go and run another mile.

My roommates tried to convince me to go and run more since I was feeling better and I mentioned I still wanted to run. However, my pride was still suffering and I did not want to go back to the fieldhouse, where I had just been 10 minutes ago, to try to run again. I was embarrassed. Plus, it’s still a little too cold and snowy for me to try to run outside right now. So, I just accepted the one mile run as my small victory for the day.

However, while I am new to this whole half marathon thing, I do have the tiniest bit of running experience so I should’ve known better than to give up so early. Those cramps were no joke, but I know I could’ve pushed through – especially since the cramps didn’t last for a super long time.

All in all, it was a good learning experience.  Also, since I’ve now gone jogging (let’s face it, I wasn’t actually running) in the fieldhouse, I feel more comfortable going over there to do a few laps around the track, so I think that will make it a little easier for me to get a few more miles in next week.

Update on My Mom

On Saturday last week, my mom texted me and said that after walking for 100 minutes, and completing 5.83 miles, the treadmill just turned off. She then asked if that had ever happened to me, as if I’ve ever been on the treadmill for longer than 40 minutes.

I thought at this stage in our lives, my mom would be trying to keep up with me, not the other way around!

I’m very proud of her, and I’m super impressed with how well she’s doing with her walking. However, I am a little concerned that she might be getting addicted to walking, and I’m also a little jealous that she is racking up more steps than me.  

Final Thoughts

I did continue with the workout class this week, and again it was a really great experience. I’m also half way to getting my free t-shirt, so I’m very excited about that as well.

I’ve also started to notice how much better I feel overall. I mean, this week was pretty rough for me. I was really homesick at the start of the week, but I did notice that my body felt stronger – walking across campus seemed easier, I think I can see muscles forming in my arms, and I think I might even have butt. So, overall I’m feeling pretty good about myself right now.

Thank you also to everyone that has been keeping up with me along this journey. I know we are only three weeks in, but if it wasn’t for my commitment to this blog I probably wouldn’t have gotten in my first full mile this week. I also wouldn’t be as committed to the blog if I knew no one was reading it. (But I know I forced least four of you to sign up to get my blog emailed to you when I post, so thanks for holding me accountable.)

If you would like to be one of the people that helps hold me accountable, then you can also subscribe to get an email as soon as I post my blog every Friday. Just go to the Home page of my blog site, and click on the “follow” box in the lower left hand corner and enter your email address. You can also follow the blog on Instagram @myrunningstart.

Week 3:  
Miles run this week: 1.5
Miles run total: 2.0
Overall mood: Determined to better next week