From Couch to a 5k Race

 

It has been almost two years since I last made a blog post.  So much has happened since then. It is almost hard to know where to begin.

In my last post, I had walked 7km and I was proud of walking that distance. I then considered taking a course to learn how to run properly. I wondered, "If I could walk that distance what else could I do?" I was hesitant at first, because I feared getting injured. Running was something I had always wanted to do, but I honestly think starting held me back.

We were still in the height of COVID-19, so no running groups were happening at the time. So, I decided to download the "Couch to 5K" app, and start from there. I remember that first run vividly. I was wearing some semi-worn shoes, and I had my phone to track the run. It was a hot evening, and I took off.

I remember starting that run. I alternated between running and walking. That first run wasn’t long at all. I remember I was breathing heavily during and after the run. At the end I thought to myself, “Will I do this again?” 

I decided to keep going, and I trained all summer in the heat of the day. Looking back now, I wonder why I never considered early morning runs to beat the heat. Probably the best thing I did in the beginning was going to my local running store and getting fitted for a good pair of running shoes. I moved a few of my runs indoor when the smoke from nearby fires was in the air. Treadmill runs were a bit different, but I kept running and documenting my journey.

I ran and trained all summer. My first was to run the Canadian Army Run Virtual 5k. But I also signed up to run the 5k at the Calgary Marathon.

But then about 3 weeks before my Calgary race I was hospitalized for my Bipolar. This incident was related to accidently taking too much medication, and the stress I was facing at my job.

I felt defeated after that hospital admission. Had I trained all summer to not be able to run that race I signed up for? While I was in the hospital I would walk the unit, and then once a day go on the treadmill to try and keep up with my training.

The day after my release, I ran the Canadian Army Run 5k virtually in a spot in my city called The Riverbottom. 

Finishing the Canada Army Run 5k Virtual Race

It felt amazing to do something that I had worked so hard for. Then three days after my release, I ran the 5k at the Calgary Marathon.  I wasn’t sure if I was going to do this, but I wanted to finish what I started. This was the first time running with other runners, and I remember feeling this rush of excitement.  My husband came with me to cheer me on, and I was glad he came.

I know I started off too fast in the beginning, which is a common mistake for newbies when training. But during the race I met this other girl that was also running her first in-person race. She had trained completely on a treadmill, but was just as excited as me to race. We stayed fairly close to each other throughout the race. 
  
One hill on the route was a bit tough, but once downtown it was a more level surface. I loved that we had entertainment on route, and people cheering us on.  

The most vivid moment of that race was when I got to the 4km mark, and a volunteer said to me, “You have one more kilometer to go,” That encouraged me, and I increased my pace at that point until I reached the finish line. Once I crossed that finish line. I remember almost collapsing immediately, as my legs felt like Jello.  I ended up being ushered to the medical tent, and I was given some coke and a snack to help bring my sugar levels back up.

That race will always hold a special place in my heart. I never saw myself ever learning to run, nor running a race. I never saw myself athletic growing up. I tried a couple sports, but they didn't resonate with me. I tried to do piano, but I always felt I couldn’t keep up with my sister.  I was more of a creative person, and always will be.  But running feels like something that is a fulfilling for me.

Running has done so much for me.  It literally saved me when it came to my mental health. As I ran more and more I found it was my outlet as a mom, and for my Bipolar.  I have more to share of my running journey, but that will be in another post.