Week #1 Day #1

The Journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. -Lao-Tzu

     Today I started MY journey. My journey toward better health, less pain and fewer pills. 

      My name is Mandy and I have Fibromyalgia. Up until now I have rolled over and just accepted that I will be in pain for the rest of my life. For those that don't know what Fibromyalgia is here is the Mayo Clinic definition: "Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals."

     Today I have decided that I am over taking whatever Fibromyalgia throws at me. So I decided that I will start the Couch to 5k running program. The C25K program starts off very slowly, with a mixture of walking and running for a minute each and, over the course of 8 weeks, works the participant (me) up to running for a full 30 minutes. The runners are expected to participate three days a week for 8 weeks and at the end of the program are supposed to be able to run a 5k.

     This is the story of my journey. My journey from Fibro to Fit. Follow me as I explain how I feel and the hurdles I overcome to reclaim my life for myself once more.

Day 1 Week 1

     I went to a local track with a friend, my two kids and her child. My son is 6 years old. He is the sweetest most loving and kind hearted child I have ever met. He spent the whole time next to me trying to race me. "Ill race you mommy!!" To which I replied "You'll win!!" Because face it after running for a full minute when you're out of shape just talking is a struggle, let alone trying to keep up a conversation with a talkative 6 year old. LOL! My daughter is 3 and is just the cutest little peanut of a firecracker you will EVER meet! The two of them together... fuh-getta-bout-dit!! My tiny little tornadoes are my world. I do this for them. Then there is my friend, Tina, who graciously comes with me to ever so gently shove me headfirst along the track, along with her daughter, Kalie.

I weighed myself and I am 263 lbs, self conscious, with a huge anxiety problem. So, when I see people I don't know, I tend to panic. Let me paint you a picture... as we were walking to the field the entire local high school track team ran off the track. There were two old ladies walking together around the track, a stick think runner with her coach timing her laps and a middle aged woman doing tai chi at one end of the track. Then here I come with my friend and our three children. The children immediately scatter and we set our stuff down and start our walk. We are feeling pumped!! We are so excited!! This is going to be awesome!! We are going to get in shape and we are going to look great and have fun doing it!! Then the friendly female voice come through our phone speakers and tells us "Begin running" 

AND WE'RE OFF!!! It's Mandy in the lead followed closely along by Tina!! Mandy missteps and Tina gains the lead!! Tina still in the lead, and Mandy's getting winded!! Tina's in the lead and Mandy is no where in sight. It was horrible for my first run, since I played rugby in college. Then that glorious voice come through the phone again and says "Begin Walking". OMG I COULD KISS HER!!! Phew!! Now I'm struggling to breath and just as I am beginning to breath normally again that voice comes on and tells me to begin running...again!! About halfway through the 2nd run I'm slowing down to a speed that is a little over a jog. Then we walk again. Oh glorious walking. And we're running again.... I had to stop halfway and start walking again. The fourth interval of running I had to stop again half way. Then I collapsed on the ground with my son saying "Mommy why did you stop? Its time to run!" Once I could breath again I told him that mommy just needed a break. I got up and finished up with the 8th one.

I DID IT!!!! Oh man was I hurting badly?! I could barely move to pick my 30 pound daughter and put her in her car seat, I thought I was going to drop her. Then to push the gas and brake pedals was so much more effort than I thought it ever would be. BUT, I did it! I completed day 1 week 1 of C25K.

The next day the only things that were really hurting me was my upper back and my shins. However, overall I felt fine. Better, actually, that I would usually hurt if I had done nothing.

I cant wait to do Day 2 and beyond. I want to be the best "ME" possible so I can be the best mother, wife, friend and __________ I can be for everyone but more importantly for myself.

Today I started my journey...