Uncle! Uncle! or Workout 17 of 24 for May

Today I ran.

It was week 3 day 3 of Couch to 5K. For me, this was make it or break it day, since my "time was up". However, I know I could have done the day over and over again. I just didn't want to.

Both of my jogging jackets were in the washing machine, so I wore my windbreaker. It did the trick, including holding the iPod, but in no way did it wick away moisture. haha. At least I know it'll work in a pinch!

Since my jogging jackets were in the washer, I had taken out the inhaler and put it........ Yeah, no idea. BUT, I was able to get through without! This was huge for me! A HUGE SUCCESS! I remember learning in college Psych that asthma can be cured through hypnosis and positive thinking and visualizing. Throughout my runs I visualized the air filling the entirety of my lungs, and I made it through. When I felt the metallic taste in my mouth -which I have learned is blood from bursting capillaries from labored breathing- I ignored it, knowing it wouldn't kill me. It didn't.

Do you remember the pile of rocks? Well, the next cul-de-sac, beyond the one with the pile of rocks, had a HUGE pile of leaves on the sidewalk! I laughed as it was looking like a comic strip! I imagined cul-de-sac #3 would have a pile of manure, but I was fortunately wrong in my imagination.

With each run I made it through. I persevered, and I was pleasantly surprised. Do you want to know how I did it? How I made it through the long, long runs? I didn't think of fainting, throwing up, breaking bones, or dying. I made a goal for how long to run, in my mind, and wouldn't stop until I'd made that goal. Both of the long goals, I made to be kind of ridiculous. And I made them. Toward the end of each one, when I had enough, I would think (and maybe say out loud? I hope not, but who knows once the earphones are on!) "Uncle! Uncle! Mercy!"

Very literally, at the moment I felt I was at my end, that I could not take any more, "Walk Now" came through the speakers, and I realized I had completed the runs. To say I was proud of myself would be an understatement. I ran the entire length of a very long street! I genuinely didn't think I could do it, and I did! I hope it's okay to be proud of yourself. I am changing my body, and I love it. I love seeing results of my efforts, even if they're not on the scale. What joy I have that I have I not given up!