3+km

I was nervous, yet excited, yet unsure, yet hopeful, yet determined to be able to:

1. Wake up early to meet Kath at the stadium for my first outdoor run

2. Keep up with her during the run.

3. Just run.

I must have done enough programming the night before because I managed to wake up at 5am but eventually got out bed at 5:30am. I have not woken up that early for a very long time. Sleeping at 10:30pm the night before really helped me.

I got to the stadium at around 6am where Kath was waiting for me. I was slightly delayed as I was helping dad with the laundry and some other things.

We started out by walking briskly for about 10 minutes or so and then Kath set the pace for the run. It was a slow pace but that was fine with me because I was not sure what I would have done. Kath said that if I had ran by myself, being a beginner I would have ran too fast and tire myself out earlier in the run. The pace was manageable especially when we had to up some gentle inclines.

I had that ache and tightness in my left calf but I pushed through. After 10 to 15 minutes of the run, the ache went away. I felt an ache in my right knee but I ignored it. I was able to breathe, not out of breath but I also could not hold a conversation for too long.

After awhile, it felt "comfortable" to run. According to Kath, we ran 3+km. In the last 20 minutes of the run, I could feel my legs starting to turn into jelly and each step I took, I felt like I paused for a few seconds before continuing but it also felt like my right leg wanted to give way. Kath said to sprint the last few meters before ending just to push the heart rate up and sprint I did, giving my new Asics the test they needed. It lives up to its name of Nimbus. I felt light on my feet.

I had been running for 40+ minutes. An amazing feat for me. For someone who has always hated running and thought that running was just not possible for someone like me. I managed to do it! I thought back about all those times in previous years why I never really attempted to run and it was all those jiggly bits. Each time I ran, my jiggly bits would jiggle really hard and it made it "difficult" to run because the jiggly bits would get in the way and also hurt should they jiggle way too much. I am happy to say, those jiggly bits were not noticeable and (if you are a girl) a good sports bra is also very important!

There were some other "fit" people who ran past us and looked in our direction. Kath said that people normally think big people can't run. Well, we just proved them wrong and I proved myself wrong too!

Our next run is on another Saturday morning. In the mean time, I shall hit the gym to keep on training for that marathon :-)