Fearing 5

For days I feared my 5 mile run which was scheduled for last Saturday. I'm not really sure why because I had run that distance on the treadmill and I knew I was capable but I let the hills in my neighborhood completely psych me out. I woke up on Saturday fully prepared to just do it but I took Rory for a walk first...and then the rains came. I can't say how relieved I was! I decided to take the day off from running and do Yoga for the Warrior instead (thank you Bob Harper!). I went to bed Saturday night mentally preparing myself for the run on Sunday and I woke up refreshed and ready to go. What a difference a day makes! I finished my 5 miles in 68 minutes...not great but it's no big deal, it's a start. And that's what I kept telling myself, "it's no big deal" over and over. I looked at the Mamba sized hills ahead of me and I ran them. I may have been slow but I did it. On the back side of my run I faced the hills again only this time the wind was in my face. That turned out to be a bit more challenging so I gave myself permission to walk if needed. That's all it took! I was fearing failure but I was not failing. Merely completing my first 5 mile run outside with about 70 days left to train was success! It was so successful, I got out and ran another 3 miles today. I was tired but it felt great and I know scheduling several runs in a 24 hour period is a necessity to get ready for this race. I don't have to run 5 miles again until Saturday but this time I know it really is NO BIG DEAL!!!