I am so excited so many of my friends signed up to do this challenge with me! At the end of the month, you will feel so good about yourself. On the hard days tell yourself it's just one mile.
Speaking of hard days, I always think the first day of something new is the hardest...much like I think the first mile of a long run is the hardest. When I gave up soft drinks and all sweetened drinks, the first day nearly killed me. Now almost 7 weeks later, it feels easier. Knowing this I expected the first day of this challenge to be difficult.
What I hadn't planned for was being sick the first day! In the middle of the night when I was wide awake and struggle to breath without coughing fits, I questioned why I had even signed up for this challenge and if I'd be able to do it. Before I (finally!) went back to sleep, I'd pretty much decided I wasn't participating. As you can imagine, I felt totally different about it when I woke up this morning.
Sadly, I wasn't miraculously better this morning. But my attitude had changed (does anyone have a good attitude in the middle of a sleepless night?). I knew I could do it and that if I'd convinced so many other people to do it, then I need to step up. As soon as I rolled out of bed, I put on my running clothes, laced up my shoes and headed out the door before I could change my mind.
I was also cursing myself for deciding to further challenge myself by making my one mile for the challenge each day a continuous mile with no intervals. What exactly was I thinking? This is pretty much the same feeling I get the morning of every half marathon.
I started my mile out slow and steady and gradually increased my speed. I finished the mile in 11:15. Wow! My average pace with intervals is 12:30ish. Now before anyone starts to think I've been converted, I'm not sure I could have done another continuous mile. But that one felt good! Well good minus the large coughing fit that ensued after the run...but I'll spare you guys those details.
It's looking like I'll still be feeling icky for tomorrow's mile. AND it's going to be a lot colder! But I know I'll feel great about myself at the end.
Great job!
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