This is the story of how a woman who long hated running grew to embrace it, with all its challenges and sore muscles and runner's highs.
Tallahassee Badass Jennifer Wittstock wrote me last week after I asked to hear from Badass Fitness readers about their latest fitness triumphs, race plans and personal challenges. Her e-mail made my day because it was a reminder that no matter where we start on our fitness journeys, we can go far.
Jennifer avoided running for years, but when a friend (a fellow Badass and Boot Camper) urged her this past fall to sign up for a local 5K, Jennifer's outlook changed. She is proof that we can all get stronger and tougher, even at the exercises we spend years avoiding! Her story makes me want, even more, to give swimming another try.
I'll let Jennifer tell you all about it. With permission, she gave me the green light to pass this along to the Badass Army:
Although I'm not a super-fit athlete or a hard-core gym rat, I have been fairly active throughout my life; I was an athlete in high school, worked at and worked out at Premier for years in college, and currently am a member at Gold's Gym (the more cost-friendly choice in these challenging economic times). But one thing that I never did in all those years was run. I have never been a runner and in fact, I hated running with a passion.
I could not run for a minute on the treadmill, even at a slow pace. I could not breathe, my knees hurt, my sports bra did not fit right; you name it, I used it as an excuse to slow to a walk or jump on the elliptical. But that all changed last September.
My friend (I think you know Lauren McCarthy) asked if I wanted to do the Red Cross Hurricane 5K at Southwood. I told her she was crazy. Long story short, she guilted me into participating. I did not train or practice or change my exercise routine in any way, shape, or form. Race day came and, surprise, surprise, I hated every minute of it. I ran the first mile without stopping to walk and when I realized there was 2.1 miles left to go, I thought I might die right there in the road. I alternated between running and walking for the rest of the race and finished with a time close to 39 minutes.
Oddly enough, even though I hated the race, I had a very strange high after finishing. I looked online and found a race about a month away and convinced Lauren to run with me. This time I ran on the treadmill at the gym and tried to increase my distance and stamina. When the next race came, I managed to run the entire 3.1 miles without any walking. Even though I run at a very slow pace, it was a huge personal goal that I was so excited to meet.
I did 6 5K's between September 09 and December 09, crazily enough. The last 5K I did was in Jacksonville on NYE day. I decided to set a bigger goal: I wanted to run in the Gate River Run, the largest 15K in the country, on March 13 in Jacksonville. That gave me 10 weeks in which to prepare and train for race day. I couldn't find anyone who wanted to do it with me, so I was on my own!
I used Hal Higdon's trainging guide for 15K Beginners. I followed the schedule (almost) exactly, even when traveling. I pulled a muscle in my back during week 6 of training that put me out of commission for several days, but I managed to get back on track.
Race day was awesome, and intense. I was absolutely terrified and there were over 20,000 people there to run, including 9 Olympians, which was pretty cool. I had done my training but the longest run I had completed at that point was a little over 7 miles, and that included some walking breaks so I was very nervous about the 9.44 mile course that (just in case you have not run in the Gate River Run) includes what the runners call "The Green Monster", otherwise known as the Hart Bridge, at mile 8 or so which is a steep uphill portion of the race just when you're starting to run out of juice.
My goals for the 15K were to finish in less than 2 hours, and to run the entire time without any walking. I met both goals.
I think I will take a little break off from running (not too long though!), but I would love to run in a half-marathon, maybe towards the end of the year. After 6 miles or so, I go numb anyway! :)
Wow. Huge Hoo-ah and fist bump to Jennifer! Think about it: She went from barely being able to jog on a treadmill to finishing multiple 5Ks, a 15K, and already she is thinking about a new challenge with a half-marathon. It doesn't get much more Badass than that!
Coming tomorrow: An insider look at the new revolution in indoor cycling -- I talk to the creator of RealRyder indoor bikes, in anticipation of the new studio opening Thursday in Midtown,Tallahassee.