NSV: Running 3 Miles

Many times women (and men) choose to use the scale as a measure of progress. And for those who may have a lot of weight to lose, this may be the easiest and most logical thing to do. But the rest of us, as I talked a bit more about in a recent post, we need to look to other things to see how far we have come. NSV (non-scale victory) is a term I’ve seen thrown around, and it should be used more often. What are the accomplishments that you are making that have absolutely nothing to do with the weight on the scale?

Once upon a time ago, I trained for my first 5k using the Couch to 5k program. It took me six months to complete the 8-week program, and then I ran my very first 5k in 36:14. Without stopping. Whining and crying and complaining the whole way, but my boyfriend of the time pushed me in a way that made me drop all self-doubt and just kept me going.

Since then, I have not been able to run 3 miles without stopping. I have done multiple 5ks, even hitting PRs from my first 5k (33:32 is my current best), but never without taking walk breaks. I even completed two 10ks with around a 12 minute mile average, but even those included a consistent run/walk pattern. Which means I may run somewhat fast, yet I have almost no skills in any sort of distance.

But today changed that just a bit..

New inov8 shoes from TheClymb !

Today was the first day I ran three miles straight without any walking. I just ran. And ran. I had 3 miles scheduled on the 10k training plan, with a goal was to run the first two miles without stopping, then take my walk breaks as needed.

Once I hit that two miles, I figured I only had three more songs to go before I would be done (a mile is about 3 songs, right? lol); so pumped myself up and just kept going. My legs felt great. My breathing felt great. I slowed down when I felt my legs getting tired, but I did not stop running. I have never been able to get past the mental hurdle of running, but today I was able to let it go. I thought about just going. Just doing it. No cares, no worries, no shin splints, no breathing issues. Just being in the moment.

I am so proud of myself and so excited for how much further I may be able to go and what my body is capable of doing. This past Monday was the first time in I don’t even know how long that I was able to run a whole 14 minutes without stopping. 14 whole grueling minutes. And now I just ran 35 minutes. I absolutely think that it is because of my Crossfit training, which is continuously changing me physically and mentally.

This morning I worked with some fellow Crossfitters and our coach to prepare for our upcoming Crossfit competition next week. It was a very rough day, with difficult technical lifts and horrible combinations of movements in the WOD – with the actual competition likely going to be even worse; completing at least three workouts in one day where we would normally do just one. But in today’s class, I was able to hit my 1RM Clean and Jerk that I wasn’t able to do last week. Oh, and I am doing a freaking competition next week! So let’s just say my confidence in myself and my abilities is just flying now!

Crossfit pushes you past that mental barrier in all aspects of life. This morning, I was able to complete a lift at a weight I couldn’t do last week and I think that mental high carried me right into my run and gave me the feeling that I can do anything. Running is half physical and half mental and I’m finally starting to find some middle ground.

(BTW.. This is one of the songs that totally getting me going this week..)

Your turn..

What is the furthest distance you have run without stopping? How long did it take you to get there? What’s your latest “pump me up” song?