Monday, March 16, 2009

a big weekend

I turned 40 on Saturday. I know most people dread that birthday, but honestly, I was excited about it. 40 is a big deal. It's not something to dread, it's something to embrace. And I did. With gusto.

A few months ago I decided that age as all about attitude and if I wanted my 40s to be the best years of my life, then they would be. In order to make that happen, I had to take back control of parts of my life that I had let go. My health, my weight, my attitude.

I found out that the Little Rock Marathon was the day after my 40th birthday so I decided that was fate. That was the universe telling me to get off my fat, lazy bum, and get back to me. The healthy, happy me.

So in October I started training for the half-marathon. God I hated it. Every damn agonizing minute of it. I fell off the wagon a few times. Did the self-sabotage thing I'm so good at. Whined, moaned, groaned and almost quit.

But around Thanksgiving, something in my brain clicked. If I wasn't going to do this now I would never do it. And what kind of example would I set for my kids if I just gave up? So I changed my goal to run the 5K and I started pounding the pavement and training 4-5 days a week. After about four weeks, I realized I was no longer bitching about the gym. I was actually enjoying it.

What the hell had happened?

Well, I was feeling fantastic. Better than I had in years. And I didn't want that to go away.

Yesterday was the big day. I had a goal to run the entire 5K (3.1 miles). I knew it was going to be hard, the furthest I had run so far was 2.25 miles so I was basically adding another full mile to my run. Another 13-14 minutes. I didn't know if I could do it, but I was going to try.

Well, I did it.

I ran the whole way. Averaged a 13.33/minute mile and I finished in the top half of the registered participants.

I felt like a rock star when it was all over. A tired rock star, but a rock star nonetheless.

This just goes to show that no matter your age, size, or limitations, you can do anything you set your mind to. If you had asked me a year ago if I would ever run and enjoy running a 5K I would've hurt myself from laughing.

Now I'm planning to do more.

So set your goals. If I can do this, you can do anything!

13 comments:

  1. You are the coolest person I know.

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  2. You go, girl!! What an achievement. I am in the 40 yr. old sisterhood too, and you've inspired me.

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  3. Wow! What an accomplishment! I'm taking my hat off to you!!!

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  4. Anonymous1:03 PM

    Awesome, girl. That must have felt fantastic.

    I've only run one 5K ever. And it was the first time I'd run anything more than a 100 m sprint since high school. (I don't run. Ever. As a rule.)

    I'd planned to walk it with my friend, but at the last minute she decided to run it, so I got stuck running it, too.

    NEVER again. LOL!

    Happy birthday!

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  5. You are a rock star!!!!!! Congrats Mel on being 40 and being a runner!!!!

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  6. thanks so much you guys! it just goes to show that we really can accomplish just about anything we set our minds to!

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  7. Dude, you rock harder than a rock star. Bono wants to be you when he grows up.

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  8. Yay, Mel!!!! That's so inspiring!

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  9. Mel, happy birthday to you. You are truly awesome. XOXO

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  10. I'm like... crazy proud of you.

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  11. Anonymous4:47 PM

    You da bomb, lady.

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  12. I'm So FREAKING happy for you!! that's such an amazing accomplishment! Congrats, I can't wait to see what else you do!

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  13. Happy Birthday, and congratulations! =o)

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