I ABSOLUTELY love the feeling of excitement and fulfillment that comes with challenging myself toward a goal, and that sense of achievement!
Plus, the happiness of looking back at how far I’ve come? I just LOVE it!
Especially when starting something new, I get so excited!
Because of this, people have told me, “You never stick to one thing for long!”
But I actually prefer trying out new things that I’ve never done before as much as possible, rather than being a specialist in one area.
It’s not about which is better or worse, this is just who I am.
I’ve always prioritized challenges that interest me (makes sense, right?).
But somehow, I started getting bored of that too. Lol.
And I wondered – why not challenge myself with something I avoid instead?
After overcoming some difficult life challenges last year, I felt more confident.
But deep down, my real hope was: “If I can overcome something I’m terrible at, maybe I’ll like myself even more!”
My Worst Enemy Is Running
“What is your worst thing you hate to do?” is the easiest qustion to me – Yes! Running!
Short-distance, long-sdistance, it doesn’t matter, I just HATE it! Lol
Because I am terrible at it, I never enjoyed it.
Who can like something you never enjoyed!
Ever since elementary school, I was always dead last in sprints.
The only race I wasn’t last in was a bread-eating race.
Bread-eating race (パン食い競争: pan-kui-kyousou) is a fun race often held in sport day in Japan.
There are hanged several breads on the track, and we go run to grab them without using hands. Lol
I didn’t win, but I didn’t lose neither – This was the only race I didn’t lose. Lol
In middle and high school, our class would literally hold meetings to discuss where to place ME in the relay so I wouldn’t drag the team down! Lol
Holly, I was that bad!
And there were the winter marathons every year… I never once finished a 3K run.
By the time I crossed the finish line, my whole grade was already sitting down, waiting for me while clapping.
The teacher even had to escort me – honestly, it was my traumatizing experience!
Now you learned, how much I despised running.
So when I thought it would be cool to try something I’ve never done in my life, it was easy!
“Let’s try running!”
The moment I decided in last Sempember, I contacted a running club in Vancouver that very same day.
I took a trial lesson with a coach and immediately signed up!
But Running Was Still Bad!
The club I joined was filled with inspring runners training for half/full marathons.
They run 5k as their “easy” run or warm up.
Meanwhile, my goal? 3K! Wohoo!
Even just the warm-up had my heart racing so much I thought I’d throw up!
Their “light jog” was as fast as my full-speed sprint. I was shocked!
I honestly admire my own bravery for showing up to a place like that all by myself. Lol
Since I was a complete beginner, my coach gave me a special training menu just for me.
I thought I’d feel embarrassed about it, but instead, I felt proud!
Because my competition wasn’t the other runners – it was me!
Compared to the version of me who just watched Netflix on the coach, even just stepping outside was an huge achievement!
By the way, remember if you ever feel like, “I’m not good enough,” try asking yourself:
“If this were someone I cared about, what words would I say to encourage them?”
Then, tell yourself those same words!
This Is MY Challenge
I set a goal for myself:
“I want to challenge something I am not good at and hopefully gain self-confidence more!”
This challenge is not for anyone else, not for validation, but for myself!
With that mindset, I was able to keep going – Because I am the one who decided.
I joined group training once a week and ran solo using a personalized training menu twice a week.
Rain or shine, snow or wind – I ran!
I even ran to the gym (and walked back home like a turtle. lol)
A big reason I could stay with it is having a coach and the team, community!
And let’s be honest, also the fact that I invested money. Lol
And now after three months? I finally ran 3K without stopping
The Next Step: 10K in Three Months!
My coach encouraged me to sign up for SunRun, which is Vancouver’s biggest marathon event in April – to run 10k!
I was so excited that I immediately paid the registration fee!
Wow, I can’t believe I’m actually spending money to run!
I wouldn’t have run even if someone paid me. Lol
What happened to the old Arisa who HATED running?
If 10-year-old Arisa knew that 25 years later she’d be training for a 10K marathon, she’d never believe it!
Oh my, I’m already so proud of myself haha
Going from 3K to 10K in three months – I want to do everything I can to make it happen!
I also work with my personal trainer for my fitness.
When I asked her for advice, she suggested I lose some weight.
I had been focusing on strength training to build muscle, but muscle is heavy.
And carrying extra weight makes running harder.
So I’ll keep lifting weights, but I’ll also adjust my workout routine and change my diet.
And that means…
“Starting tomorrow, you’ll replace dinner with a protein shake!”
…WHAT? Come on! Dinner is the best part of the day! Lol
But you know what? I’ll do it!
Because “I” decided to take on this challenge!
If I’m going to do something, I want to commit to it 100%!
So this is my current challeng, running 10K!
Wish me luck
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