Comfort zones. We all have them. In fact, we wrote a few weeks ago about what makes us feel comfy-cozy. Today we’re going to talk about stepping out of your comfort zone and doing something you never thought you would or could. Or just write whatever. You know we’re easy around here!
Today’s (totally optional) prompt:
What have you done recently or would like to do that’s outside your comfort zone?
This morning, I’ll be running my first 5k.
Four months ago, I woke up one morning and decided I was going to start running. So I did.
With arthritis, this hasn’t been so easy. The 9 week Couch to 5k program has taken me 16 weeks. I’ve had the most success jogging 4 minutes and walking 1 minute for the length of the run. It doesn’t feel like I’m a “runner” because I can’t run the whole thing without walking.
But dammit, I’m doing it. And in 4 more months, I’ll be at Disney with 30+ amazing women running the Disney Princess Half Marathon for the Ronald McDonald House of Central Georgia in memory of my Charlie.
My only goal for that race is to finish.
Today I’ll be stepping out of my comfort zone, into a zone I never thought I would venture into.
And after today, I’ll try to call myself a runner.
UPDATE: I finished. Without dying. 47:39 and the course was actually 3.43 instead of 3.1 (the people who measured were obviously numerically challenged)!!
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This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It’s five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules…
- Set a timer and write for 5 minutes.
- Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
- Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
- Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post (in the sidebar). .
- Link up your post below.
- Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.
OMGOSH!!! I’m SO excited for you. That’s awesome! I remember when you started and HOORAY! I’m behind you … I’m doing my 5K (I”ve walked many and am not ashamed to say I will possibly walk A LOT for this coming one) next weekend.
But YAY! Congrats!!! And woot woot and all that jazz! Kickin’ yourself out of your comfort zone is an incredible thing. GO YOU!
Andrea recently posted..Bro ken.
Walk it, girl! Try 4/1 intervals… that makes it SO much easier for me!
Jana, I have to hand it to you for running. I want so badly to do it, but haven’t been successful yet. I’m still in walking mode. I’ll keep trying. Thanks for the inspiration! Good luck with your 5K!
I gotta tell you… I don’t love it. It felt good to come through that finish line, though. And not at the very end of the crowd
But I don’t want to quit because I’ve lost weight, my skin looks better, my butt isn’t as jiggly and I get to buy fun shoes and socks 
Have fun! Go get ‘em Tiger!
Thanks! I got em
Great job!!
I would say that if you have been running through arthritis and challenging yourself to run a race, you are already a runner!! Congratulations on your 5K! I have every confidence that you will finish. Happy SOC Sunday to you!
Kallay recently posted..Stream of Consciousness Sunday: The Comfort Zone
I Soooooooo agree with you Kallay…you’re a RUNNER in my book !
Thanks! It felt great to finish. Well, about 30 minutes after when I didn’t feel like I was going to puke
You go girl!! I would love to run!! one of my not comfortable zones in running in public!! I want a treadmill so I can run indoors!! Congrats on your 5k!!
Anna Hettick recently posted..Just….Wow. And…..it’s back. (warning, this is loooong.)
It’s funny… I didn’t feel like anybody was looking at me. I do when I’m running ont he sidewalk at night by myself, but felt completely anonymous in the crowd. Strange! And THANKS
Good for you! Running is definitely not my comfort zone, but I so admire those who do.
KeAnne recently posted..Magic Fall: The Blathering
Thanks, girl!
Jana – that is HUGE. I started doing the run 5 minutes, walk one minute and it changed my running life. I think running the whole thing is overrated and SLOWER. I had the opportunity to meet Jeff Galloway and told him how his 5 and 1 changed my running life. He said that now many folks are doing run 2 minutes and walking 1 and coming in with faster times. Can’t wait to hear how your race went. And look forward to catching up with you at Disney in February if not before. This was a big step in your life today. At least that’s the way I feel about running or anything that pushes me out of my comfort zone physically.
Jamie@southmainmuse recently posted..Cleaning an attic and finding a critique partner.
I’m SO GLAD you told me that! It’s going to be so much easier for me to process knowing I can do little snippets like this. At the end of the race, we were doing 30/30 intervals and that was GREAT! 4/1 works well for me and I should have started out that way. We ran the first .75 miles before we walked for a minute… I think I would’ve been faster if we’d done 4/1 from the start. There’s always next time
Well done, Jana. Running is something I have no interest in. Which means I should probably do it.
Erin O’Riordan recently posted..SOC Sunday: Outside the Comfort Zone
I had no interest other than to go, “WTF do they think they’re doing running in this heat/cold while they could be eating DONUTS?” until June. I still think that, though
Congrats on finishing!!! That is great. And good luck with training for the next race. I’m sure it will get easier as you continue to train.
a.eye recently posted..Saturday Quote: It’s ok
Thanks a lot!
Way to go!
I am so excited for you and wish you well.
Remember, you ARE a runner.
You are off of the couch, you are out there and you will do so well!
Rachee recently posted..#SOCS: Road Trip!
Thank you! I’m definitely off the couch! Well, not right this minute, but when I’m running I am. Eh, you kwim
Congrats! I keep saying im going to do that, but yah, i chicken out every time. Way to stick with it!
Thanks! You can do it! Or whatever you choose to do!
I love this post. I remember when you just waned to run in Central park. I still haven’t run anywhere. You’re so inspirational!
Shosh recently posted..I Pray
You know, I’ve always been one to start something and not carry through. I don’t know if I’ll do more half marathons after the one in Feb, but that’s my goal. To finish that one. But first I have another few 5ks, a 15k and then the half. Lots of running (and walking) to go!THANKS
You’re a runner in my book… anybody who up and WALKS a 5K, much less run parts or wholes of it, gets my admiration. Way to go!
Megan Broutian recently posted..{SOC Sunday} People are strange, when you’re a stranger
Thanks, Megan!
Congrats! You definitely ARE a runner. I work my way up exactly like you do. 4-5 min run to 1 min walk.
Thanks. That’s increased my speed tremendously.
umm… entered my link twice, it’s still not showing?
Megan Broutian recently posted..{SOC Sunday} People are strange, when you’re a stranger
It’s on there.
Hooray for runners! Today a 5K, tomorrow a nap!
Rosstwinmom recently posted..Danger Zone-Stream of Consciousness Sunday
YOU. ARE. A RUNNER! Great job on your first 5K and good luck training for your first 1/2.
Clarinda @ Enjoying the Course recently posted..Fitness Friday
Nicely done, Jana.
Can’t imagine 5K or 3.43 miles or anything – without a vehicle. I manage, once a month, to get to where I cash my checks – 1 mile each way – and feel like I’ve climbed Everest. (Must admit – the endorphin rush is pretty cool.)
Jules recently posted..SOC Sunday: Outside the Zone
That is very cool. Sometimes the most important part isn’t your time but that you started and finished it.
Jack recently posted..Do You Play By The Rules?
Awesome job, Jana! You are definitely a runner… I can’t imagine running (or even walking) a 5k!
Heather O. recently posted..This Moment {10/19/12}
You are awesome!!!