Guest post by :BackAtSquareZero
I wasn’t always a runner. In fact, the most difficult part of my running journey was getting started. I was a couch potato who spent her college years subsiding off of wings, nachos, and cheap beer. However, when I hit my late twenties and was still living off of junk food in the form of cheese dip and chicken fingers the weight suddenly started to pile on. I changed up what I was eating, but figured it was time to start exercising too. Running seemed like a great place to start, I mean all I had to do was toss on a pair of shoes and head out the door right?
I decided to take my roommate’s dog for a run. Neither of us made it past the mailbox. It was scary – Something I thought I would be able to do was so hard. I knew I was overweight and unhappy with my body. However, I never realized how out of shape I was until that moment and suddenly I knew I needed to do something about it. If I didn’t I was sure I would continue to gain weight, stay out of shape, and just get unhealthier. It was time for a change. However, putting that desire to change into a plan and then taking action – that was a very difficult step in my journey.
Luckily I started off slow, worked my way up, and eventually discovered that half and full marathon training is what pushes me to keep running even on those days when I would rather not. Having a set training schedule really keeps me on track. It provides that extra motivation I need to keep going. My original goal was to begin running to get in shape, but it has truly changed my outlook on life and my desire to be healthy. In addition to exercising 5-6 days a week, I now also try to eat healthier foods and have found this makes me feel much better about myself and my goal of getting into marathon shape, it has truly been a lifestyle change. As a bonus I have lost about 25 pounds and no longer have to search for clothes that fit.
However, it has not been a piece of cake, things have been very tough for me both physically and mentally. I have struggled with injury on and off for two years and spent a while in physical therapy. It is really hard to stay positive and not get frustrated and down on yourself when you want so badly to achieve a goal, but your body keeps fighting against you. However, I always try to think of how lucky I am and how many others still dream of reaching their goals. The injuries make the training very hard, but the end result – crossing that finish line – so much sweeter! Hopefully, I can motivate others to continue even when the road becomes bumpy.
Becoming a runner and a marathoner changed me in so many ways. I now know how much I am capable of achieving and I believe in myself and what I can do when I put my mind to it. I was always picked last in sports and was never considered athletic. Heck, I was the kid who always failed the mile run! I thought that was how my life would always be. I was a couch potato who filled my twenties watching TV while stuffing myself with unhealthy foods. This journey from couch potato to marathoner showed me that anything is possible as long as you are willing to work for it. The girl who always failed the mile run in gym class turned into a marathoner, what a beautiful twist. Running changed me into a healthier, happier person, a person I am proud to be, a person who knows she is able to accomplish so much.
How has running changed you?
Abby is a formerly overweight couch potato who started running to get healthier and was shocked when she fell in love with the sport, the feeling, the people, all of it. She talks to strangers on race courses, runs to the side to high five cute kids, and is the person who sticks her entire hand into the community candy bowl at mile 20 of the marathon course. Abby blogs about her journey to live healthier, become a better runner, and lose the weight at BackatSquareZero. Also, find her on Twitter(and Instagram) as @BackatSquare0.