I went for an early morning run. This morning, I decided to see how long I could run before I felt like to needed to walk and also time myself. I usually walk from my place to a major intersection before I start running to get warmed up. After I turn the corner, I jog and walk a little bit before I stop for water. This morning, I ran all the way to the convenient store.
I picked up a bottle of water and started off again. It was a perfect morning. Not too cold, not too hot and there was a slight breeze. The sun was shining and just perfect! I looked at the time and started to run. I timed myself each time I ran and sometimes when I walked.
During the week, my morning cardio is a 60 minute walk run. I walk for 4 minutes to warm up. Then I run for 2, then walk for two. The treadmill speed pushes me to go faster than I do when I am outdoors. So, I wasn’t really expecting to be a whole lot longer than 2 or 3 minutes during my run and jog times.
Well, I started paying attention and I found that I could run 3, 5, 7, 8, 9+ minutes! The more my legs were warmed up, the easier it was for me to run. Also, my walking minutes did not have to be the same amount as my running minutes. So my body has been adjusting to this exercise. This was really a fun little experiment for me. I was really surprised at myself. Trust me when I say that I thought I wanted to be able to do this. I just never thought I knew how or if it was possible for me.
Then I got distracted and did not see an uneven section of cement. I fell forward, on my knees. I broke my fall with my knees, my hands and almost my face! I screamed. I was in front of a school where there was a large crowd around for a local farmer’s market. I think my enthusiasm about running and embarrassment made me get up right away. I started to run even more. And then I had to laugh. Ok, I guess there are no more excuses. I can do this. It was only my mind that was holding me back. It’s amazing what we can do when we put our minds to it! In fact, I finished the run doing 8 miles.
