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My Unexpected Unbelievable Unicorn Run

Once in a while you have an amazing run that seems like it can never be replicated, check out what happened during my unicorn run.

My Unexpected Unbelievable Unicorn Run

Last Saturday I had one of the best runs I’ve ever had in my life. Sometimes when it’s been a long time since you have done something you convince yourself that it can never happen again. Well this time it did, and it was simply magical.

Backstory

When I got engaged way back in 2005, I set my eye on the prize. I had two years to plan the wedding of my dreams and two whole entire years to get down to my desired weight (150lbs) and my desired dress size (size 8).

I diligently set forward on a path that would include trying spinning for the first time, jumping on a elliptical sometimes twice daily. Then one day I decided to run on a treadmill after work. I started the couch to 5k program and dipped my very scared toe into running.

It was magical. Following the program I was able to run 10 minutes at a time. It wasn’t until the plan called for 20 minutes straight did the doubts rush in. I repeated that week over and over. The one day it happened. I ran for 30 minutes.

After that day I was unstoppable.

I ran for 60 minutes every single day. I’d wait on the treadmill line after work and run for the maximum allowed hour time frame during peak hours. Every night I didn’t think I could–then I did!

I injured myself about a month later (looking back it was runners knee and I should not have been running so long, so often, with NO crosstraining or rest). Turned my back on running until I decided to take running seriously again in 2014.

Fast forward to Saturday

I didn’t want to go to the gym because the Saturday crowd is usually a bit too aggressive for my taste. I was so sore from Row House on Friday.  I told myself to suck it up, buttercup and proceeded anyway. The NYC Half is quickly approaching, after all.

That’s when the magic started to happen.

Usually I warm up for five minutes, I felt warmed up by 3. I started running. I found an incredible Spotify 90s r&b playlist. I’m lip syncing. I’m banging air drums. I’m feeling really good. An entire mile passes by. Song after song that I grew up with pushing me forward. No one around me on the treadmills. Not caring at all about nothing else but the music and the adrenaline. Another mile goes by.

When I passed mile four I almost burst into tears. I quickly did a body scan to see if I had anything left. I did.

I ran a total of 5.79 miles. It’s the longest I’ve run straight–no breaks–since 2005. I don’t know where it came from, I don’t know if concentrating exclusively on Strength Training for the past 2 months had improved my stamina, or if this was actually a once in a blue occurrence. I’m just happy it happened. Really happy. It’s a confidence boost that I desperately needed and wanted.

 

The moral of the story is that even when you think things will never happen again, that you can never reach that height of fitness from your yesteryears–you can. Thank you for reading about my unicorn run!

For more running posts be sure to check out:

Have you ever done that you thought you would never do again?

Leslie

Monday 23rd of January 2017

That is awesome Nellie! Congrats on that special run. I can only imagine how wonderful it felt. Here's to many more runs like that too!

Tamara

Thursday 19th of January 2017

WOW. I love all things unicorn. What a story! I do wonder where it came from. Magic, hydration, inspiration, you being awesome.

Amy

Thursday 19th of January 2017

Love your unicorn run! Amazing job and it's wonderful to celebrate progress!

One of my unicorn moments was running two sub-3:30 full marathons this year after having two kids. Wayyyy long ago in my first race ever (5k), I passed a couple middle-aged women and they yelled, "You won't be running like that after you have kids!" That totally freaked my early 20's, pre-mom and pre-marriage self out!

My unicorn story is that running has gotten even BETTER now that I'm a mom! And I'm a whole lot faster than I was back in that first 5k :)

Keep working and fixing your eyes on the goal! You're an inspiration, Nellie!

Nellie

Thursday 19th of January 2017

love this!! thank you so much for sharing your unicorn story with me!! I don't know why anyone would say that, some of my BIGGEST inspirations are really fast mamas!!

Terri

Tuesday 17th of January 2017

I LOOVE this Post. I can definitely relate! I was fortunate during my pregnancy that I was able to work out throughout. Obviously, I took it easy. I resumed my pole dancing classes in October at beginner because I didn't think I could make it to intermediate after being out of it for so long. This past Sunday was the first time I made it to intermediate and it was amazing. I was doing tricks that I hadn't tried in a while. Of course, it will take some time to rebuild my strength and make my pole moves perfect again but I'm happy with what I accomplished. It's amazing how much a pregnancy can change your body even after giving birth.

Kita

Monday 16th of January 2017

Someone asked me to join a run with them (they said I could walk) I may do it this year and take the plunge. I am already thinking about the body parts that will be sore *cries*