Kayla (right) with her teammate, Tracy, at the finish of her first 5k.
About a week before the spring Genesis class started my friend and I decided to make a some changes in attempt to live healthier. When my friend told me she was thinking about taking a running class I said, "You don't need a running class to teach you how to run. You just run." Despite already knowing "how to run", on the day of the first meeting my friend convinced me to sign up for the spring class.
I was nervous to go to the class. I didn’t want to be the slowest person and I didn’t want to embarrass myself. Before going to the class I decided that the lifestyle I am currently living is not healthy and maybe this class would give me the push I needed. During the first class I thought, what do you mean I can't swing my arms? What do you mean I have to stand up straight/ run tall? What do you mean I shouldn't take off running as hard and fast as I can? What is a quick and short stride using the rhythm 1, 2, 3…1, 2, 3?
Come to find out, I had no idea how to properly run. I remember thinking I can do anything for 60 seconds. Toward the end of the first 60 seconds, I thought, okay, maybe anything except run properly for 60 seconds. I made each 60 second run but I was never so thankful to hear my coach David say walk.
After the first class, I promised myself that I would do whatever it took to run the entire 5k. The next day I went to work and all I could talk about was what I had learned the previous day at the run. I have never felt so inspired to complete anything. Each week I did the runs as scheduled. I looked forward to the class, the weekly emails, and testimonials. David wound answer any questions we had and he would share stories with us to help reassure us that we could complete this 5k.
At first, my legs were sore, which caused the runs to be harder. The coaches taught me ways to roll my legs, DIY massage, stretches to perform, and exercises to complete to aid with soreness. My friend and the coaches recommended getting a pair of running shoes. I first thought that shoes were not going to make a difference. Once again, I was wrong.
Each week with David I learned more ways to help make the runs easier and more enjoyable. As the runs progressed I would find myself thinking how am I going to go from running 8 minutes to running 20 minutes. Prayer, this class, hard work, and determination is how it happened. Soon enough 8 minutes became a warm up and then for the first time in my life I could run a mile.
My 14 year old nephew went with me during one of the early runs and he joked with me because he walked at the same pace I ran. Towards the end of the class he went with me on a longer run. This time I was joking with him because he was sweating after we ran 3 miles. I could tell how surprised he was at how well I did and how much I had improved.
It amazed me and continues to amaze me at how much support I received from my family and friends. I would come into work after a run and my coworkers would stop me to see how I was progressing. Running quickly became something I looked forward to rather than dreaded. I would start my days off with a run and the rest of the day I would feel stronger, more positive, and more energetic. I took the day of the 5k off work. I was nervous but I knew I was prepared physically and I had the knowledge to complete the race.
At the race, David asked my group what our goals were. I told him I was going to run this race and that I would be happy with 45 minutes. I knew 45 minutes would be pushing it especially with the heat. Seeing all the red Genesis shirts was inspiring. I knew how hard everyone had worked to get to this point. I'm not going to lie, the race was hard.
It was hot and there was no shade, no trees, and no breeze. I just kept telling myself, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I started out slow and I paced myself just like I was trained. The second mile I picked up my pace and kept running. I was about two blocks from the finish line when I saw David. David said that I was going to beat my time. I picked up the pace as David ran beside me. When I turned the corner I saw the time. I had to keep running at a much faster pace to finish under 40 minutes. I thought, you know what, "easy start, strong finish" (our motto). I made it!!!
David and I went back to cheer on our group. Turns out, I wasn't last and I definitely wasn’t embarrassed. I have never been so proud of my group and myself for what we accomplished. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7. This class combined with a healthier diet has helped me lose 30 pounds and I have inspired my mother to begin a healthier life style. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Genesis team and I am excited to begin the next class. I might even buy myself a new pair of running shoes
:-)
I was nervous to go to the class. I didn’t want to be the slowest person and I didn’t want to embarrass myself. Before going to the class I decided that the lifestyle I am currently living is not healthy and maybe this class would give me the push I needed. During the first class I thought, what do you mean I can't swing my arms? What do you mean I have to stand up straight/ run tall? What do you mean I shouldn't take off running as hard and fast as I can? What is a quick and short stride using the rhythm 1, 2, 3…1, 2, 3?
Come to find out, I had no idea how to properly run. I remember thinking I can do anything for 60 seconds. Toward the end of the first 60 seconds, I thought, okay, maybe anything except run properly for 60 seconds. I made each 60 second run but I was never so thankful to hear my coach David say walk.
After the first class, I promised myself that I would do whatever it took to run the entire 5k. The next day I went to work and all I could talk about was what I had learned the previous day at the run. I have never felt so inspired to complete anything. Each week I did the runs as scheduled. I looked forward to the class, the weekly emails, and testimonials. David wound answer any questions we had and he would share stories with us to help reassure us that we could complete this 5k.
At first, my legs were sore, which caused the runs to be harder. The coaches taught me ways to roll my legs, DIY massage, stretches to perform, and exercises to complete to aid with soreness. My friend and the coaches recommended getting a pair of running shoes. I first thought that shoes were not going to make a difference. Once again, I was wrong.
Each week with David I learned more ways to help make the runs easier and more enjoyable. As the runs progressed I would find myself thinking how am I going to go from running 8 minutes to running 20 minutes. Prayer, this class, hard work, and determination is how it happened. Soon enough 8 minutes became a warm up and then for the first time in my life I could run a mile.
My 14 year old nephew went with me during one of the early runs and he joked with me because he walked at the same pace I ran. Towards the end of the class he went with me on a longer run. This time I was joking with him because he was sweating after we ran 3 miles. I could tell how surprised he was at how well I did and how much I had improved.
It amazed me and continues to amaze me at how much support I received from my family and friends. I would come into work after a run and my coworkers would stop me to see how I was progressing. Running quickly became something I looked forward to rather than dreaded. I would start my days off with a run and the rest of the day I would feel stronger, more positive, and more energetic. I took the day of the 5k off work. I was nervous but I knew I was prepared physically and I had the knowledge to complete the race.
At the race, David asked my group what our goals were. I told him I was going to run this race and that I would be happy with 45 minutes. I knew 45 minutes would be pushing it especially with the heat. Seeing all the red Genesis shirts was inspiring. I knew how hard everyone had worked to get to this point. I'm not going to lie, the race was hard.
It was hot and there was no shade, no trees, and no breeze. I just kept telling myself, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I started out slow and I paced myself just like I was trained. The second mile I picked up my pace and kept running. I was about two blocks from the finish line when I saw David. David said that I was going to beat my time. I picked up the pace as David ran beside me. When I turned the corner I saw the time. I had to keep running at a much faster pace to finish under 40 minutes. I thought, you know what, "easy start, strong finish" (our motto). I made it!!!
David and I went back to cheer on our group. Turns out, I wasn't last and I definitely wasn’t embarrassed. I have never been so proud of my group and myself for what we accomplished. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7. This class combined with a healthier diet has helped me lose 30 pounds and I have inspired my mother to begin a healthier life style. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Genesis team and I am excited to begin the next class. I might even buy myself a new pair of running shoes
:-)