Disney Running and Travel,  Just Jana,  Team RMHC

What A Difference A Year Makes

A year ago, I woke up and (without knowing it was National Running Day) spent $19.95 to get the Couch to 5k program. I’m not sure why, but I was at home alone, feeling pretty crappy about myself, looking at my swelling feet, wondering what to do with myself.

My one goal was to get off the couch and be able to go for a jog in Central Park for BlogHer a few short weeks later.

That’s it. I wanted to lose a little weight, get a little exercise, and maybe get a race t-shirt sometime in the nearish future.

I put my feet to the pavement and invested in new shoes.
hardest part
Never being one to NOT cave to peer pressure, a week later, I signed up for a half marathon. Jason thought I was insane. I’m sure all of my friends did, too. I mean, I couldn’t run 30 SECONDS, let alone 3+ hours.

But I believed I could.

And that’s half the battle.

I logged mile after mile after extremely painful mile. Running in the heat of the summer with arthritis isn’t the best way to start, but I figured if I could train in July, I could do anything.

I ran with Kelly in Central Park. Ok, it was more like walking and talking really fast, but we did run, too!

It got easier. I started not hating every single step. I only hate the steps that come before the last 5. The swelling stopped being so extreme and my arthritic joints actually felt BETTER.**

Now I look forward to running. It’s hard to squeeze it in now that I’m working full time, but somehow I do it. Not as much as I’d like, but I go when I can.

As I sit here today, thinking back, I realize how amazing it is.

A year has made a HUGE difference in my life.

I’ve run 5 5k’s, 2 10k’s, 1 15k, and a half marathon.

medal

I’ve signed up for the Peachtree Road Race (10k) and the Wine & Dine Half Marathon.

I’ve lost 4 pants sizes, but only a few pounds.

photo

I believed I could do something, and I did it. And I’m still doing it.

And you know what? You can, too.

** Obviously, please talk to your doctor before starting to run with arthritis. 

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