Staying motivated after the wedding was easy at first, but after a few alcoholic beverages on our honeymoon (...ok maybe A LOT) it started becoming a challenge. The dress had been altered & worn, the bikini bod had been looking tight and lean on the beaches of the Grand Cayman, and then it's back to reality! Long work hours, no time for meal prep, and the nastiest New England winter we've ever encountered. How can you keep the momentum flowing in a positive direction?
Right before the wedding I signed up for my first 5k race. Keeping myself on good behavior for at least month after the big day. The only important goal for me was to finish. I didn't care how long it took me or if anyone was waiting for me at finish line, I just wanted to stop creating imaginary barriers and feel accomplished.
I honestly took up running because I hated it... like, with a passion. I was the overweight girl in freshman gym class that ran 15 minute 1 mile lap (notice how I did not pluralize " lap" cause I'd be lucky to get a mile). I was the girl that had back problems starting at the age of 16 (back surgery at the age of 25) and on top of it all being the girl who was self conscious of her very large chest.
These things haunted me and held me back until I was 28 and then the Boston Marathon bombings happened. The tragedy shedded new light and perspective on my mental road blocks. I wasn't a teenager anymore, I am a confident woman with a bottomless bucket list. Suddenly, I was not running because I hated it, I was running for the people who couldn't. The excuses were no longer my defense, there are people in this world that do a lot more with a lot less. My hate for running turned into love and pride.
My first 10k will be at Gillette Stadium, July 3rd. I'll finish at the 50 yard line and run on the same field as pro athletes that also have conquered unimaginable dreams. At this point and time I have not ran over 5k mark, but I have 1 month to make it happen. There will fireworks at the end (literally!) and another accomplishment checked off the list. This crazy lady just signed up for a 10k...