It’s been fourth months since my amazing trainer looked at me and said the words that scared me most in the world, “You’re going to run today.” Fear came immediately. I said, “I can’t” so many times, it’s almost hilarious now.
Four months later, I accomplished the goal I set at the beginning of this process. Yesterday, I ran a full 5K for the first time. It took 41 minutes, but damnit, I did it. And it felt absolutely amazing. I wept afterward as we walked. It was the most excited and proud I’ve felt in a long time. Honestly, it felt like a culmination of all the work I’ve done over the past two years.
Who knew a 5K – 3.1 miles – would mean so much to my life overall? It’s a sign for me of how far I’ve come. Running those 3.1 miles wasn’t just running 3.1 miles. It was leaving behind the past, looking only toward the future, and finally accepting the person I am now and not the person I used to be.
Now I’m just leading up to my first official 5K on May 9th. Two weeks from today, I’ll be running (in hopefully less than 40 minutes) that 5K in honor of my phenomenal Aunt who we sadly lost to breast cancer. It’s the best motivation in the world. I can’t wait!
About the Author: Marcy Twete
Marcy Twete is the Founder and CEO of Career Girl Network and the author of the book “You Know Everybody! A Career Girl’s Guide to Building a Network That Works.” At Career Girl Network, Marcy provides women with information, resources, and networking to empower them in their careers and to advance the work of women in business as a whole. Prior to launching Career Girl Network, Marcy worked in numerous nonprofit organizations and as a consultant in the field of nonprofit fundraising, marketing, and community relations. Marcy is a graduate of the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and a native of rural North Dakota. She is the Vice Chair of the Chicago Board of Directors for Step Up Women’s Network in Chicago and a member of the Advisory Board for Girls on the Run Twin Cities, and is dedicated to advancing the work of organizations that move the needle for women and girls worldwide.
Two words: You rock!