I’m a runner???

Hi Everyone, my name is Karen Goodwin and I am a Runner!

Like most people, early 2021 I felt so weighed down by news about covid-19, lock downs and closures. I was tired of being in my home with nothing exciting to do.  So, I decided enough was enough and when the lock down lifted I was going to do something for myself!

Initially, I thought I wanted to try yoga.  I thought it was just what I needed.  Time on my own, some exercise and it would be great for my mental health.  Yoga is supposed to be so great for that right?  I searched and searched to no avail.  It seemed like covid got the best of some of these programs, just like it was getting the best of me.  

One day on my search I found a post on Facebook for a learn to run group, Play Run Group it was called.  Hmmm, running, I never thought about that.  I’ve always wanted to run.   Deep down I have always wanted to run the Disney marathon. Is now my time?  Am I too out of shape to run?  Am I too overweight?

I pushed the doubts out of my head and reached out to Play Fitness.  I sent the following message: I am in my 40’s, I’m overweight, I have zero fitness.   Would I be ok in your group? Tim replied right away. Yes! This group is for you.  So, I paid my money and waited for the group to start in the spring.  We waited and waited as covid restrictions put a pause on the group starting.  

Finally, Tim reached out.  We had the ok to start in June.  The first night arrived and I felt sick.   I really had to convince myself to go.   Will I be the slowest?  Will I be the biggest?  I pulled in the driveway and quickly learned none of that mattered. Tim greeted us all with so much enthusiasm and energy. That first night I ran 1 minute and walked 1 minute and 30 seconds, for an hour.  Me!  I ran!  It wasn’t awful and it didn’t kill me!

Each week I added more time to my run time.  Every run felt like a great accomplishment.  Tim cheered us all along the way.  He gently nudged me to run more each week.  He pushed me out of my comfort zone, but not so much that I didn’t want to come back.  Before I knew it I was running 3 minutes walking 2 minutes.  Then running 8 minutes and walking 2 minutes and then I could run 1 full kilometer without stopping!  Me! I can do that!  The first session ended and I was signing up for the second!

Today the second session has come to a close.  Our group ran our second 5km race for this session.  Today I ran 2 km with no stops!  I run 5km with 3 short breaks.  The breaks are only when needed and not dependent on time anymore.  

As I reflect on the last few months, I can’t believe how running has changed me.  Running allows me time on my own, gets me out and exercising and is so amazing for my mental health.  All the things I thought I would get from yoga.  Thank goodness I couldn’t find a yoga class!

Now don’t get me wrong, it has not been all sunshine and roses.  Some nights I really have to talk myself into going.   When I start running, I have to convince myself to keep going.  It’s hard!  Running is hard!  Some nights my legs ached, and I was so out of breath I wasn’t sure I could go on.  My mind would question if my body could go any further, it would tell me I can’t do it.  As time goes on though my lungs feel better, my body aches less and my mind, well it tries but never wins.  And do you know why?  Because I am a runner!