Well where to start. At the beginning I suppose!
My name is C and Im 36 years old. I have 4 children and I have just signed up for a half marathon in 4 months time. I am not a runner in any way shape or form. Years ago when at school I enjoyed cross country, and all sorts of sporty stuff. I was in the army cadets from 13-18 years old and spent ALL my weekends running around fields shooting people.
20 months ago I had an accident and broke my foot spectacularly. I suffered a "Lisfranc Fracture" and needed 2 operations, having 22 pins inserted to fix my foot. This happened on my daughters 2nd birthday and I was carrying a bit of extra weight. Baby weight from the 4 kids (now aged 14,8,7 and 3) and general "mum" overweightness from eating leftovers, eating takeaways because busy/tired and eating rubbish because I was bored at home with the kids. Breaking my foot and losing my mobility became a real eyeopener in how I was wasting my ability. I spent a couple of months unable to venture out unless in a wheel chair and my eyes were truly opened. Why on EARTH was I not out on the park with the kids, out in the gym, why was a driving when I could walk etc etc. Losing what I took for granted made me realise that I needed to get on while I could. The day before my second op I joined Slimming World and lost a stone and a half. I was able to start exercising again 5 months after my second op and while I havent become a TOTAL exercise freak I do go to the gym, do classes occasionally (zumba, body pump, etc) and walk a lot more now.
I recently started running a bit more as part of my gym regime and really enjoyed it. I am aware that running on a treadmill is VERY different to running outdoors but, hey! its better than nothing.
Then last week after putting my back out I decided I need a fitness goal to aim for. A few reasons- 1) I put my back out and the running while you can message was bought home again, 2) I have about 10lbs to lose to reach my target weight and Ive been stuck on the same spot on the scales for the last 10months, and I need a goal- knowing I HAVE to run a half marathon on Sept 30th is very good motivation!
Soooo here starts the training. I went for a run this morning after dropping the kids off and and I ran 1.61 miles in 24 minutes. That is rubbish and I am currently wondering how I am EVER going to run a half maraton in 20 weeks time. On the flip side of that there is a little quote that kept going through my head while I was running, and that is where I took the title of the blog from. No matter how rubbish I fear my run was, I am further than I would be, had I still been lying on the sofa and NOT out running :)
So- A lot of training is needed, I am not aiming for any PB's or owt like that- I am aiming to get round, in one piece, with my dodgy foot intact.
Things I have learnt today: Buying a pink water bottle feels ideal in the shop. However when you are then out running in your husbands hi viz yellow jacket you look like a prick.
Songs I like today: MIA: Paper Planes gave me another spurt of energy near to home and enabled me to RUN past the scaffolding full of builders instead of staggering past gasping like an asthmatic beetroot. And maybe, just maybe they thought I was a Proper Runner.......................
