"I.can't.breathe."

So I am NO RUNNER...I would like to think that I am but I am in no capacity good at it. I prefer to run indoors, well, because of the obvious. I can control the climate (thank you wonderful, cooling, oscillating fan) and let's be honest that good ole treadmill helps a sister out with the give that it offers when you run on it. The Mr. and I are participating in a 4th of July of 5k here in our fair city (and when I say participate I mean I signed my husband up and told him later while he was eating pizza). I've been doing the whole couch to 5k thing on my iPhone. I'm around week 3 which I still find to be pretty easy (especially on our friend the treadmill). Our neighborhood is really safe and I feel completely comfortable jogging in it by myself. So, I lace my sneakers and sunglasses then head out the door. I live in Louisiana...we don't have spring. We have winter and summer. Those are our seasons. It was hot y'all. I mean hot. I just kept thinking, "It's hot, but it's going to be hotter on the day of the race." SO I start out and I think this isn't so bad, it's hot, but doable. I get into about minute 5 and I think goodness my throat is so dry, goodness my legs are really hurting...goodness I have ONLY BEEN DOING THIS FOR FIVE MINUTES. My legs felt stiff and nothing was fluid. I couldn't get a good breathing pattern going. I tried relaxing my shoulders. I told myself, "Self, you have breath in your lungs, just calm down and access it." Those thoughts of self doubt and negativity start creeping into your mind-"You can't do this, why would you think that you could?" "Just walk the whole way at least you tried." "You will never be a runner." Running for me really is a mind game. I've been really trying to, not ignore the negative talk, but identify it and realize why I'm thinking it and where it is coming from. I'm proud to say I finished the session even though I literally thought I might die on some person's front yard two streets over. It was worth it and I'm so glad (and proud) that I did it.

Be encouraged to always try and do things you are passionate about.