My eyes struggle to open as the alarm sounds to my left. I flail around in a pile of sheets in search of a snooze button.
It’s still dark outside. Why on earth am I up so early?
I slowly start to remember. Today is day one. The day I vowed to start the journey to become something I’ve always wanted to be: a runner. I groan and hit snooze, thinking of any excuse imaginable to let me sleep the extra hour I believe I so desperately need.
- I have a busy day at work today.
- I can run after work.
- I can run tomorrow.
- Do I even need to run, anyways?
The nine-minute snooze alarm startles me awake and I jump out of bed. I can do this. I’m awake. The hard part is over, right?
Shoes are thrown on. Phone is charged and playlist is set. I’m ready. The training app I downloaded starts me off with a warm-up. I feel my muscles loosen as I make my way to the closest greenway. The stretch causes a dull ache due to recent lack of use but I push on.
Five minutes pass by in a flash and it’s time to run. I set off at a quick pace, immediately realizing it’s too fast for someone who hasn’t even jogged in over a year. I slow, noticing that another five minutes has rapidly passed. My legs hurt. My chest hurts. I try to remember to breathe while rubbing my face clean of the sweat that has started to drip down.
I keep going, cursing myself for this ridiculous goal of becoming a runner, especially at five in the morning. I’ve never been able to run. Having to run the mile during gym class in high school was always my least favorite day of the year. I barely made it each time without passing out. Why did I think I could do this?
I push on, forcing myself not to stop. I only have ten more minutes to go and then a cold shower will greet me at home. My legs ache with a pain I haven’t experienced in months. They shake with each step while my knees threaten to buckle at every turn. I force myself to breathe along with my steps, to gain a rhythm I know I have to find to succeed. Sweat pours down my face as the temperature and humidity rise around me.
Suddenly, the app whispers in my ear, ‘Congratulations. You’ve finished day one. Please begin your cool down.’
Huh. That wasn’t so bad.
Nine weeks to go.
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So you are only going to do this for 9 weeks? What happens then, you start dancing?
Well that’s when I can hopefully run a 5K without dying. Hopefully, I’ll start 10K training after that.
Taking it nice & slow…
I could probably run a 5K without dying. Isn’t that barely 3 miles? My knees would be sore, but I could do it.
I’m sure I could if I had to. I guess I’m just trying to take it slow. I certainly can’t dive into a 10K on day one. My body hates running!
Mine either. I did track when I was young but not by choice. My parents wanted me to do something to keep busy. I love basketball though. At least there is a purpose for the running.
I’m so proud of you!!!
If I crawl under my desk for a nap, will you cover for me? 🙂
Of course!! You deserve a nap! And a drink.
Good job! I have a long love/hate history with running, and I’m starting over – yet again – with working up to a 5k too. But me and 5 am? Not happening! I’m impressed… 🙂 Best of luck to you! (PS – love the new look of your blog).
Thanks so much! I tried running after work and I always found an excuse not to. The excuse usually being wine > running. Add on 90+ degree temperatures in my city with 100% humidity and morning turns out to be the only option.
Thanks for reading!
I run early in the morning too, and that same litany of excuses runs through my head every single time my 6am alarm goes off. The running itself gets easier and easier but for me, the waking up never does.
Good to know the running gets easier. I hope it does for me! This morning was rough. Luckily, I’m a morning person. If I can get one foot on the floor, I’m awake.
Yay for you. Meeting someone helps to get out of bed early. My old runner’s body won’t let me run every day so now the struggle for me is to get out of the bed and to the pool. I’m my average on trips to the pools isn’t keeping up with my intentions. But like the other comments said, it does get easier. You might even get so you look forward to it. (but getting out of bed is always the hard part.)
Yeah, having a running buddy would help but no one seems to want to meet me that early 🙂 I hope I can start enjoying it at some point. That would be a nice change from trying not to die!
I’m rooting for you! I think you’re amazing for getting up that early and heading outside. You were my hero when you put the sneakers on!
Oh goodness, thank you! I really hope I can keep up with it which is why I wrote about it today. By bringing my blogosphere fam into it, I’m hoping they’ll keep me accountable and not let me drop the ball … we’ll see what happens!
You’re my hero, I would’ve totally rationalized my way out of it…rock it, sister!
Hah – Thanks! I really tried to at first. The trick will be whether I can keep up with it. Thanks for reading!
Good for you! I need to try one of those runners apps. I am a struggling runner-to-be, as well.
I downloaded the couch to 5K app. I believe it was from active.com. It starts you off slow with more of a walk/run and works you up to running straight through to a 5K. Then, you can upgrade to 10K if you want. I like it a lot!
Thanks for reading!
I doing Couch to 5k right now too! It’s brutal but I’m glad I’m doing it. The hardest part for me is lacing up my shoes every other day and just making myself do it. It’s always so much easier not to, you know? Anyway, good luck! You can do it!
Thanks! I definitely need to try and stop making excuses. I have plenty of them! Haha
I hate running, but once I ran 13 miles. There was a girl involved and I had ulterior motives.
I definitely have a hate/hate relationship with running but I’m hoping to turn that around over the next few months!
I’ve recently started running again and I do so love when the app tells me I can stop. I can really relate to this!! Good luck with your running.
Thanks so much! Yes, that is definitely my favorite part of running … the end.
Getting up at 5am to run? That’s commitment for just starting out! I’ve been to get back to running (took a lengthy hiatus post-triathlon), this post is a great motivator!
Triathlon! Wow — I’m a morning person but 5am is just early. However, I know I won’t do it after work so I just have to suck it up and do it!
So true — the post-work excuses make skipping so easy. I have to ask, what’s the secret of being a morning person? How do you get out of bed without hitting snooze? (asks the girl who went to bed at 10:30 last night and couldn’t get up at 7am)
Haha — Unfortunately, I’m not sure. Mind you, I do hit snooze but I just set my alarm super early so that I can still get up and not rush. For some reason, it’s always been for me that if I can get one foot on the ground, I’m awake.
Weekends though? I sleep until noon. Can’t get up early to save my life.
yay! day one is always the hardest, and it didn’t seem that hard for you. just keep going!
I’m trying!! Unfortunately, I believe a tropical storm is about to get in the way of day two so I’m going to have to start over on Monday. Ugh!
Sigh….I want to be you when I grow up. I love the idea of running; I have the app; I pretend like I’m going to start again. Maybe someday. Good for you, getting out and actually doing it!
If it makes you feel better, I’ve had the app for months and finally convinced myself to actually use it. It isn’t easy but I really enjoy the feeling afterwards knowing I actually did it.
Thanks for reading!
I hate running with a burning passion, so I have lots of respect for anyone who sticks with it. Great job! I wish you the best of luck reaching your goal.
Thank you so much — I’m really not a fan of it either but I’m trying to be. Hopefully, it gets a little bit easier the more I do it.
way to go! I havent run in years and still dont miss the getting out of bed part.
Yesterday was my first day in a long time! Getting out of my bed when it’s still dark outside is most certainly the hardest part…
Congratulations!! And that app is cool! It’s got to be nice to hear that little pat on the back when you’re done 🙂
Thanks! I feel that all runs should end with people cheering you on and you running through a ribbon with your arms raised but I’ll take what I can get 🙂
That is some fierce dedication! I don’t know if I’ve ever wanted anything enough to wake up so early…
It’s going to be tough to keep up with it. I love my sleep!