Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Asking for help

Yesterday, I packed up my running gear ready for a week of 3 lunch runs. Yesterday, during my WALK to the bus stop (not to mention the subsequent walk to the office), I froze my @#! off, and the chill that got caught in my bloodstream after that less than 15 minute walk (total), didn't leave me... even with the help of my morning BFF caffeine fix.

At lunch time, I couldn't get myself out the door for my run. I just.could.not.do.it.

Instead, I found myself doing something pretty unusual in my life. Asking for help.

I have written about the weight loss facebook page "Losing it in Ottawa" (LIO) and some of my new running friends who I have met through the page before. Well, yesterday at lunch I decided to make myself accountable and reach out to them for support and a swift kick in the you-know-where.

My post;
I need some motivating this week. Scheduled "friends" are making me unmotivated and cold (yes, temperature wise) and really REALLY not wanting to run outdoors. Does anyone want to help me by running C25K week 4 with me Wednesday (and maybe even Friday too)? 3 minutes run, 90 seconds walk, 5 minutes run, 2.5 minutes walk twice... downtown peeps?????

got 17 replies. 17!!!!!!!!!

Not only did my friend Caroline step up to my FB rescue IMMEDIATELY with a simple reply of "done!", but I even got offered running dates with 2 other LIO runners next Wednesday at lunch... even AFTER they heard what my plan was for Week 5. So, publicly, Caroline - I thank you. I can honestly say, if you hadn't have said yes to joining me, I'm not sure I would have gone. After all - as you mentioned this morning... It is FREAKING cold out today!

Today's run was the begining of Week 4 - and the first time in over 3 months that I ran 5 minutes at a time. I wasn't super excited about that fact at the time (although I DID mention it after the first 5 minute interval), but I blame the fridgid wind that was, at times, making me feel like I was running against a wall. It was a BIT distracting.

But, we did it, and we made pretty good time too! For once, my GPS looks pretty accurate. And has me finishing 2.72 km in 21.5 minutes. And our run intervals were (at best) a 6.37 minute km and (at "worst") a 7.22 minute km (this last stat was while running up a long, steady incline... in the wind. ARGH!)

I have officially signed up for my first 2 races this year. The Manotick Road Race (5K distance) on April 28, and the Colonel By Classic (8k distance) on May 18.

I love that I now have a goal that I need to attain by a certain day. I am not in these races to win... or even place, but my goal is to finish. And be proud of my accomplishments along the way.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

My splits weren't near that fast on my Garmin or Runkeeper, I'll take yours! :) under 7's on a day like today is awesome. YEAH! *happydance*

We do need that extra support sometimes to get out there. Winter here, with the cold and the snow and the wind and the ice and the cold... (Wait I think I said that already) requires so much more effort.

Thank you for getting me out there too. We rock. Simply put.

Kataroo said...

I am SERIOUSLY IMPRESSED with your running outside...I have been a wuss of late. Way to reach out, get the motivation you need and keep on running :) So happy you and Caroline had a good one.

Barbara said...

I do Running Room clinics because I'm not disciplined enough to run solo. I say "go, you" for ever running alone. If ever my schedule allows a lunch run on Wednesday or Friday, I'll invite myself to yours, okay?

Barbara said...

I do Running Room clinics because I'm not disciplined enough to run solo. I say "go, you" for ever running alone. If ever my schedule allows a lunch run on Wednesday or Friday, I'll invite myself to yours, okay?