My first run

I never thought I would be sitting here talking about my passion for fitness, especially running.

Now I was one of these people who HATED EXERCISE; I had this great line that went something like this ... "I can't run because ....." or "I can't (do any form of exercise) because ..." generally I would think up some lame excuse ...I was to tired, didn't have enough time, couldn't do this, couldn't do that, I don't like running, walking, cycling, swimming, I didn't have the right gear; the list goes on! Really I couldn't do anything because I couldn't be bothered.

So this particular day when my husband came back from his run, I did something that I have never done before, I pulled on my old running shoes and a pair of track pants and walked out the door. I didn't really have a plan, I thought I would just see what I could do, so I walked out the door and started running. I took a couple of steps and ran to the post, then realized I was buggered. My feet hurt, the muscles in my legs were burning, I could hardly breathe. I couldn't even run for 2 minutes! I think that first day I ran for about 90 seconds then walked for 5 minutes to get my breath back, I did that three times; I made it around park (not a big park at all!). Once I had made it all the way around I thought to myself that I can run - even if it is only for 90 seconds at a time, at least I did it. The point is, that once I changed my thought process into I CAN - I realized that I actually could!!! That day changed my life.

I had a rest day the next day; but the day after that I pulled on my running shoes and track pants and hit the road again. I still couldn't run for two minutes; I found my 90 second run a little easier (only a little!) but I kept telling myself that I could do this. Mentally I felt so much better - I was beginning to like myself, even though I was a red cheeked, sweaty mess gasping for air. I made it twice around the park that day - I would run, then I would walk. I felt great! Better than I had felt in years .

When I got home after that run, I made my first running goal - I wanted to run for 2 minutes! I was going to stick with running until I could run for 2 whole minutes. Of course I had dreams of running around the block, but I never really thought any further than that. I had to conquer the 2 minute goal first.

Fast forward 3 years - I have lost 20 kilos and completed two mountain runs The Flagpole Run-up and The Avalanche Peak Challenge. I want to share with you how I achieved this, how I went from not being able to run for 2 minutes - to being able to run for 5 hours up a mountain. Now I can say -

I LOVE RUNNING!