I want to start this by saying: I’ve despised running most of my life. I remember in grade school always dreading running the mile. Up to this point, I’ve never understood why people would voluntarily run and actually enjoy it so much.
However, after the last 100+ days, I’ve learned first-hand why people love it.
Let me take you back to June of this year.
My life was “starting over” in a way and I was feeling lost and overwhelmed. There was so much going on and I felt like if I didn’t give myself some sort of personal goal to motivate me, I was going to crumble.
That’s when the idea of a 5K race came in. It was running (a type of exercise that I’d done before in some capacity) at a distance (3.1 miles) that felt challenging yet attainable. 5K races also happen pretty often, so I could find one at a time that makes sense.
So, on June 26, I signed up for a 5K that was set for October 19th. That gave me 115 days to figure out how to do this thing.
Training = Lots of Trial and Error
When I started this running journey, I would just get onto the treadmill and see what I could do. Most gym treadmills have an automatic timer on it for 1 hour, so I promised myself I would stay on the treadmill for that complete hour. I would do whatever I could — run, walk, strut, you name it.
I was then introduced to apps like Couch to 5K and Just Run, which give you very straight-forward, nicely paced training programs.
After trying those apps for a little bit, I figured out that my main goal was to make sure I could run a mile without stopping. Then, after I felt like I could do that, I worked up to 2 miles….and then eventually the full 3.1 miles.
All of this took many hours on the treadmill. Some of these sessions felt great, others were a STRUGGLE. The important thing was consistency, not giving up and always trying again.
The other thing I did during this process was text my “accountability partner” MaryClaire some updates every time I run. I’m so glad I did this because I have a pretty clear timeline of how I improved over time. Here’s are just a few of those texts:
Overall, during this time, I ran ~2-3 times a week (with rest days in between) either at the park or on the treadmill. By the end, I was running a 5K every time!
Running Isn’t Just Physical
I’ve heard people say over and over again how good exercise is for your mental health. And…as annoying as it is to jump on the bandwagon, I have to say it: it has definitely helped my mental health.
It’s just so nice to literally move and “sweat out” any stress/anxiety that you have. It gives you time to think, to listen to music, and to take some time to focus on YOU.
Other benefits of this exercise journey included:
Feeling stronger overall
Creating a routine for yourself
Feeling like you’re investing in myself
Not gonna lie, it does feels cool to say “I’m going for a run”
The Big Race
Yesterday was the 5K! I arrived at the park at 7am to get my t-shirt and bib (the numbers you pin on your shirt) for the 8am race time. It was a chilly, gorgeous fall morning. My friends MaryClaire and Alex met me and we were ready to go!
The race itself went by so quick and it was just so fun. The adrenaline of all the runners and the cheering of the spectators made it all feel so special. As I ran, I listened to Brat by Charli XCX (of course!!!) and tried to just take in the moment.
Over the last 100+ days, I gave myself a challenge, I consistently trained towards it, and then I WAS DOING IT. That just felt so good. I don’t remember the last time I’ve ever done something like this.
When I crossed the finish line, I immediately burst into tears. It was an adrenaline rush on top of the fact that I hadn’t felt that proud of myself in a very long time. I ended up running the race in less than 30 minutes, which was my DREAM goal.
Overall, I’m so happy that I tried something new, gave myself a goal to pursue, and didn’t give up. This 100+ day experience certainly had its ups and downs, but overall: I’d do it all again!
What’s next for my running journey?
I want to keep this momentum going, so I’ve decided I’m going to try to sign up for a 10K in the spring. That means more training is in my future. I’m taking baby steps…maybe one day I’ll sign up for a half marathon??? Who knows!
Thanks for reading…gotta run! (Haha, get it??)
With love,
Fletcher Rowe
For the playlist this week, I’ve compiled some of my favorite songs to run to over the last few months :)
Congratulations on 5K!
A couple of years ago, I used the couch to 5K and the couch to 10K app and it worked really well for me. For a non-runner, I felt so accomplished when I made it!
Heck yes, running is great (and horrible sometimes haha)! Those 5k runs can be a lot of fun, and the 10K runs are great, too - running for AN HOUR?!? Best of luck!