Stepping Out Of Your Comfort Zone

If anyone knows me and knows me fairly well, I'm a comfort gal.  I like to stay in my: box, bubble, space...you name it...I'm in it!  I like routine, the familiar, and knowing what to expect.  Does this sound at all like you?  It doesn't?  Carry on.  If it does, read on.

Almost 9 months ago, I made this huge decision to start the C25K program.  You can see my original post about that here.  Talk about stepping out of your comfort zone!!  Running is a leap out of my comfort zone and one that I never anticipated taking.  At some point after finishing the C25K program, I decided to keep going and piggy back the C210K *it basically picks up where the 5k left off.*  After completing that, I did a program called Run For Fat Loss *R4FL*.  I completed that in January *I think.*  I kind of bounced around a bit after that.  I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do with my running.

At the beginning of March, I checked out the ipod app for a half marathon trainer by the same creators of the 5k and 10k app that I had so enjoyed.  It really seemed like it was up my alley.  It was the same set up using intervals to complete your half marathon.  Yes!!  I begged sweetly asked my hubby to let me get the app so that I could start training.  He, without hesitation, said yes.  Yay!

As I have been on this journey, I've learned new things about running.  I have read up on rhythmic breathing which has helped me tremendously.  A few friends have given me the ins and outs of 'fueling' while on longer runs *someone said to me today, "Isn't fueling for cars?" We both laughed, but there is certainly more to it than that.*  And two big things happened in regards to my running:  1) I signed up for a 5k and 2) I signed up for a half marathon.

If you are unfamiliar, a 5k is 3.1 miles.  A half marathon is 13.1 miles.

My 5k, was today.  It was a Color Vibe 5k and thinking that it was only 3.1 miles, I knew I had it in the bag.  One thing I didn't really think much about was where I live and what kind of terrain I'd be running on today.  It was pretty much a trail run which I am not accustomed to.  However, it gave me a glimpse of what my half marathon will be like in August.  In some ways, today's run made me think I was hiking while running.  There were large rocks and roots protruding here and there, and had I been in a car, I might have put my hazards on.  As I approached each color station, I held my breath *which while running is extremely difficult* so that I didn't get color blasted in my mouth.  When all was said and done, I'd burned just shy of 500 calories in my 40 minute 5k.  Average pace = 12:54 min./mi.  For someone who isn't used to trail running and doing some serious hills *24 floors according to my fitbit*...this pace is amazing for me!

With that said, I will most definitely be starting with the walkers at the half marathon in August.  I'm still questioning my sanity in signing up for one.  Again, it's a huge leap out of my comfort zone, but I love that I am continually being challenged.

What have you done lately to get you out of your comfort zone?  Are you challenging yourself?