A journey of a thousand miles...

This weekend, I took the first steps towards doing something that I have never imagined myself actually getting around to!  For a long time, I've toyed with the idea of running a marathon, the London marathon, to be specific, but it was all talk, a distant actuality , nothing concrete, more of a whim!  However, having received an email from a friend asking if I would consider being part of a team to run a 10k race in June, I was unusually tempted, and my marathon dream began to move ever so slightly closer to a reality!

After some deliberation, I made up my mind, it was time to seize the day, stop talking, and start running!  As an added incentive, I took a quick trip to a local sports shop and kitted myself out with some new trainers, running leggings and a luminous pink running top!  I always find some new gear helps to get me started in any kind of fitness regime!  Now I had actually started investing in this running business, I felt like there was no turning back.  

Next on my agenda, was to get some sort of training program in motion!  Let me put a few things into perspective.  Whilst I consider myself to err slightly on the sporty side (I grew up surrounded by sport at home, loved taking part in sporting events at school, in my early 20's I always tried to find time to do some form of exercise, whether it be swimming, an aerobics class, cycling, I was even part of a women's football team for a while!) I have to admit, over the last few years I have enjoyed sport from the side lines, actually not even the side lines, more like the sofa!  Running is never something I have enjoyed, I literally cannot run for more than 3 minutes without feeling like my ear drums are going to explode, and that I'm going to pass out!  I was delighted when after a little bit of internet searching I found the seemingly perfect app for me; 10K Runner. It takes a complete novice, to be able to run 10K.  Starting with a very gentle easing in, it gradually, week by week, builds up to 10K in 14 weeks, which is precisely (at time of writing this blog) the amount of time until race day on the 8th June!

I felt ready, confirmation email to aforementioned friend sent, new kit bought, training app downloaded, reminder to sign up for race 8.00am Saturday morning, set!  I was actually starting to get quite excited about embarking on this journey!  

When Saturday morning dawned, it was a beautiful day.  Not only was it the extra encouragement I needed to sign up for the race, I decided there's no time like the present, and bundled my 3 kids into the car, headed to our local park and started day 1 of my training!  I got some sideways glances from regular dog walkers and runners as I trotted behind my buggy, with my 6 year old on her scooter and my 3 year old running alongside, but it felt great! The kids loved it, and were actually a great encouragement, and a much needed distraction to take my mind off the fact I was running!  There was a noticeable difference today as I completed day 2.  I actually missed my mini support team, when it was just me, baby in the buggy and Ted this morning.  (10K Ted is the automated voice from my running app who tells me when to run and when to walk, he also tells me I'm "awesome!" when I complete a workout, he's my new best friend!!)


Whilst I may not be running a thousand miles (more like 6.2 I believe) the first step has been firmly trodden, the journey has begun, there's a long way to go but I'm excited to be moving forward.