I think we all need to be active participants in our lives. Part of being a good citizen is being actively involved in those organizations that pertain to your life. I've also learned that you can only be involved in so much before you get burned out or you just don't have the time to commit.
Wes and I had a really long talk a few months ago about what groups we want to commit our time to. We talked about where we can make a difference and what groups align themselves with our goals. Specifically, what groups affect our family business. A few of the groups that come to the top of our list are Farm Bureau, ND Stockmen's Association and ND Cattlewomen.
I am proud to be a member of the North Dakota Cattlewomen. I must say that for years I have viewed this group as a bunch of old ladies focused on beef consumer education. Sorry ladies! I've learned this is so not the case. When I joined the local (district) group I met a bunch of young ladies committed to the beef industry. I'm so excited to be a part of this group and look forward to the many events in the future.
So, the NDCW are sponsoring their first (so to be annual) 5K/10K run/walk on October 6th in Mandan, ND.
About 5 weeks ago I decided that I would sign up for this 5K run.
I'm not sure how I decided to do this or WHY??? But I do know that I was pushed over the edge and actually signed up because of my friend over at Farmer on a Mission. She's committed to training for her very first 5K just like me. She doesn't live close by so we can't train together, but since we are neighbors by ND standards (AND friends) we keep each other motivated.
Ms. Ressler didn't help either. She just kept posting more and more posts on facebook about this darn run.
I am NOT a runner.
I've never been a runner.
I doubt I will ever be a runner.
But I swear, I caved in to peer pressure and signed up. Some nights I think my $20 entry fee can just be a donation and I don't even have to show up to run.
Really? Who PAYS to run? In public! That just sounds ridiculous!
But now I'm committed. People know I am running this 5K so I can no longer back out. They say you should share your goals with people to keep you motivated and on track. Well, people know I'm running. I've shared on facebook. My "facebook friends" know. Heck, the Bismarck TV station came out and did a story on me training for my first ever 5K. (How do I get myself into these situations?) That means about all of ND now knows I am running. People are going to know if I quit.
I bit the bullet and began training. After looking online for some training schedules I decided to stick to training every other night slowly increasing the time I run each night.
I have 4 kids 4 years old and younger. That does NOT leave me much time to train in any given day.
I do all of my running between 10 and 11 at night. That means most nights I really need some inspiration to get off my butt after the kids fall asleep to go downstairs and run. That also means most nights I am looking for some reason not to go run.
A couple excuses that have come to mind:
One evening I went down to run and found that the treadmill was already occupied :(
Oh, I was so sad!
Another night I was just starting my run when I saw a spider making its way across the wall opposite me. Is getting off the treadmill to kill a spider reason enough to end the workout?
I watched that spider crawl all over the wall during my run/walk and when I finally got off that darn thing disappeared before I made it across the room!
I'm running to get in shape, but not necessarily to lose weight. Losing weight would be great since I just had a baby 3 months ago, but running makes me hungry. Since I started training 2 things have increased. 1) the amount of time I can run and 2) the number of glasses of chocolate milk and ice cream I have consumed. One thing has decreased and that would be my milk supply. Miss L is still eating plenty, but my freezer isn't filling up as fast as it has with my previous babes. Produce and freeze milk or fit back into my skinny jeans? Decisions, decisions...
I've learned that I need music to run. Music makes me forget the fact that I am torturing my body at the time.
The first time I actually finished a 5K on the treadmill (keep in mind this was a combination of a run/walk) I was so overjoyed with knowing that I had the strength to finish a full 5K.
So, maybe just a little part of me is a runner. I just never knew. That is the beauty of trying something new.
You never know until you try.
And remember...
If you start running you are lapping everyone still sitting on the couch!
2 comments:
Keep up the good work! I saw this 5K and having recently moved to ND from CA due to the fact I fell head over heels in love with a farmer.. I got a wild hair and decided I was going to run this 5k. I'm not a runner and never have been. In fact, I don't enjoy running all that much. BUT I have been training for this 5k along with a friend and I am actually starting to enjoy my runs. I was doing good, up to about a mile and 3/4 without having to walk.. Well life happened and we went on vacation, wrecked my training. So I am back to square one, but I am hopeful! And so far have been making a good comeback.. At least that's what I think ;) It is very empowering and makes me feel a little less embarrassed to know that there are a whole group of women out there who are training, trying, and giving each other encouragement to do something they've never done before! :) Keep up the good work and can't wait to meet you in October!
You are so inspiring! I know I can walk a 5 k, but run.... as you said, I have never been a runner and may never be....I tried run/ walking 2 miles with the oldest two last night... it's kinda like jumping on a trampoline after you've had 5 kids... it may be a DEPENDS activity in the future if running is involved.... hahahaha! Keep up the good work!
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