Running for a goal

It is official: on May 22 of this year, I started training for a 5k race that I will be running in mid-August.

You may find it humorous when I say this, but I hate running. My dad is an avid runner, though, and it would be nice to be able to run with him without losing my breath after 10 minutes. I’ve thought about adding running into my routine for a long time, but I never got around to it.

Then a colleague convinced me to join her in a race. Having a goal has made a big difference. I am using a training program that challenges me gradually, so I don’t get overwhelmed and quit, and it’s a nice time of year to start running outside.

I have to push myself to keep up the training runs, even though I know I can do it and they help me progress towards my goal. It wasn’t always fun, but I’m excited to see myself improve. I think of running like an artichoke. I have to go through tough layers to get to the heart. Every leaf has a tiny good piece of meat to eat. Midway to the whitish leaves, there’s not so much to eat and the fuzzy stuff is not really edible. When I hit a wall during a run, or when training starts to feel like a slog, that’s the fuzzy stuff. But after going through all that, the delicious heart of the artichoke is there. If I can run the full 5k race without being out of breathe by mid-August, it’ll be a delicious accomplishment for me.

It is the same thing with organizing. Having a goal and a schedule that uses small steps to get you there can help you arrive where you want to be. I can help you get started, or finish what you’ve started.

I took this picture on my phone from the running path. If I’m lucky, I’ll get to see the goslings grow as I train!

Side note: If you have running tips for me, I welcome your suggestions.