My first 5km!

Today I ran my first 5 km! although 5km equals only to 3.1 miles, it was a total challenge for me.

I was never a sport-kind of person, nor athletic in any way. Just about two years ago I started attending the local gym just to stay fit and start a healthier lifestyle. Despite my efforts, I never really succeeded in attending the gym on a regular basis, and the days I used to go were more of a leisure time off from school where I hardly broke a sweat.

It wasn't until I met my boyfriend that I got more involved in exercising harder, and actually had a reason to sweat. Over time, he also inspired me to give running a try. I started off with the most basic run: running on a treadmill. I dreaded running on treadmills for various reasons.

One, I had problems breathing since i was a kid, so I assumed that my problems were going to get worse if I started running. I get to breath heavily or get short breaths occasionally, but nothing that has killed me so far. So it should be fine. I guess the key here is to learn how to breath appropriately.

Two, I was and still are scared of injuring my knees and my ankles due to the high-impact of the nature of the exercise. I shouldn't be scared though. When I weigh the benefits over the costs, I think it's worth to give it a try.

And last, I lacked self-confidence. I had always thought of myself as incapable of doing something that I had never tried. I am obviously not in shape for a half-marathon, but all I can say is that one shouldn't attempt to attain a goal that is very far away, but to stick to the basics. If we start off from the very bottom, very basic stuff, and move up little by little, we will find ourselves accomplishing more than we could ever think about. Confidence is the foundation for success.

Jumping into a treadmill was the first step. Then I took the challenge of running my first 5km on a race and I finished it in 33:40 mins. That may not be the best time, but for now all I am focused on is distance, not time. It's important to me that I was able to run at a comfortable pace without stopping. The company and support from my boyfriend also motivated me to keep going. I have realized that so many great things can be achieved when you have the support of your loved ones.

My goals for the present time are to keep on training. I want to grow in this aspect, because I want to have the feeling of satisfaction, of accomplishment, of worthiness. Everything that will make me feel wholesome.