And today's run reminded me that the present I chose to give myself for my 40th was a long time coming, but well worth it. About 18 months ago, I decided that with 40 looming, I needed to sort my life and health out. And along with getting to grips with my diet, I took up running. At first, almost to prove that I *couldn't* run... that c25k wouldn't work for everyone. And then, I surprised myself by starting to enjoy it. Someone told me to give it 6 months - and they were right. The first 6 months were hard. I was obese. And progress was VERY slow. I definitely didn't feel like I could run... and it's only really been since starting my runstreak last December that I've finally got the confidence that I actually can run. My first 5k took me over 40 minutes. I can now run 5k in just over 23 minutes.
So, tonight, I ran with the Sweatshop Running Community, didn't really run *with* anyone other than vaguely kept pace for the first couple of miles with the couple of blokes who went storming off ahead. Ran up a 2 mile long hill... ran down the other side with a MASSIVE grin on my chops. As I was running up the hill I realised that although we can't afford presents / going out or anything like that for my birthday, I've given myself my life back. I've given myself my fitness. I can run up big eff-off hills and carry on running straight down the other side and have a conversation at the end of it all.
Tomorrow, I'm 40. I wasn't a runner for most of my 30s. But tomorrow I start a brand new decade as a runner.
Aren't I a lucky old me?
*happy dances around the kitchen*
Geeky stats stuff
| Distance: | 4.06 mi |
| Time: | 33:37 |
| Avg Pace: | 8:17 min/mi |
| Elevation Gain: | 251 ft |
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