Words I thought I would never say....

There are some things I never thought I would be saying. 

In all my life. 

Never really had the opportunity or the desire. 

Until now.

Looking back over the last few months, I can see various events leading up to this.  "Shrinking clothes", seeing photos of my current self and cringing, finding photos of my 25-year-old self and wishing I looked like I did back then (when I was a size 8 and thought I was fat).

So now, today, I can honestly say these words:

I'M TRAINING FOR A 5K!!!!!
 

I began the training last night.  I figure if I announce it on my blog, then it's official. 

And I have to stick with it. 

Because y'all are going to keep asking me how it's going. 

And be my cheerleaders. 

And tell me I can do this!!! 

AREN'T YOU???

Source: tumblr.com via Angie @ on Pinterest

OK, so it's not really that big of a deal for those of you who run for exercise.  But for me, this is big.

You see, I used to be athletic and fit.  I played sports all of my life until I had kids.  I was actually a good athlete.  BUT, I always played the sports that did NOT require much running...fast pitch softball and volleyball.  Why?

because I've always HATED running

 And found any excuse not to do it.

Source: fitfabcities.com via Angie @ on Pinterest

So why do a 5K now?



Several reasons. 

*PEER PRESSURE  5 of my so-called friends are also doing it and just aren't buying it when I keep telling them "I don't run".

Sure I can walk at a brisk pace for 2 hours, but running?  Nope.  Not for me.  'Til now. 

Source: Uploaded by user via Angie @ on Pinterest

*I (DON'T) LIKE BIG BUTTS AND I CAN NOT LIE  I weigh more than I ever have.  And I'm not getting any younger.  Or smaller.  And I don't really want to keep buying bigger clothes just because my butt keeps getting bigger.

For the past 3 or 4 months I haven't been walking as much as I used to because of a minor injury and it seems like my body is at war with me.

The battle of the bulge.

And I'm losing.

The war, not the weight.

Source: tumblr.com via Angie @ on Pinterest

*SELF-ESTEEM  I guess when you reach your mid-40's (did I just say that?) you start to look around and evaluate your life and your body and also realize that you're not as young as you used to be.  I've loved my forties, mostly.  I'm more confident and sure of myself in many ways than I've ever been. 


But I was looking at some pictures recently of myself in a bathing suit. 


And I almost cried. 

I know, nobody likes the way they look in a bathing suit.  But I was looking at a picture of my back.  And there was back fat.  And did I say I almost cried when I saw it?

No, I'm not completely vain.  I just want to feel good, or at least comfortable, about myself in a bathing suit again.  I want to be able to look at a photo of myself and NOT cringe.  Heck, I hardly even have my picture taken now as it is. 


So let's just say that I want to allow my picture to be taken again.  I want to feel healthy.  And I'm hoping and assuming that training for the 5k will help me get into shape physically and mentally.

Source: fitsugar.com via Angie @ on Pinterest

*I'M UP FOR THE CHALLENGE  So now I'm embarking on this new journey which will lead to running a 5K on April 20.  I'm commited.  I'm doing this.  I'm not backing down.

Thankfully, our leader/coach, who is also one of my best friends, is a seasoned runner and has even done a marathon. She's being gentle with those of us who aren't runners.


We're doing a "couch to 5k" training program which will ease us into running by transitioning from a mostly walking routine to an all running routine over the next 12 weeks. We'll add a few minutes of running to each week's workout until we eventually work up to running for about 30 minutes. 

I can do this.

I've been on the treadmill for the last 4 nights.  I was on it for an hour the last two nights and actually ran (for 1 whole minute!) last night.  And I have to say this....

I'm a wimp.  a big one

One who really doesn't like pain or being out of her comfort zone or sweating profusely.  But I'm still doing this.

Source: losingitall.tumblr.com via Angie @ on Pinterest

There you go.  I'm putting it out there for the whole world, the whole blog world anyway, to hear/read and to keep me accountable and on track, literally.

No turning back now!  I need y'all to stay on my big butt and keep me focused.

I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.

Thanks for stopping by.  And for reading about my new challenge.  And the words I never thought I would hear myself say. 

I'm training for a 5K!!!!

Have a fabulous, happy, no regrets kind of day.

xoxox,

Angie

p.s.  If you like the little motivational quotes, they're all found on my pinterest board of fitness goals.  Feel free to follow along.  I'm sure I'll be adding more over the next few weeks.