Author’s Note: The following is the author’s actual words while training for her first 5K around her 40th birthday. It was originally wrote for a blog that no longer exists, hence the lead-in and wrap-up.

And before you ask: No, she will not tell you how long ago this was. And yes, it hurt. This diary served as inspiration for Cynthia’s half-marathon training in 16 Simple Rules. Hope you enjoy!

The Diary of a 40-year-old Non-runner

I was not a runner.

In fact, I don’t remember ever completing the mile in school without stopping to walk a bit.

I used to joke that the only time I would ever run was when my life was threatened . . . and I meant it.

That was until I realized that 40 was looming on the horizon. And all the sudden, I wanted to do something physically that I had never done . . . just to prove that I wasn’t old.

I could walk like a champ – in fact hubby and I walked about 30 to 60 minutes every day. It was my sanity-saving time, but I wanted to do more.

For the first time, I wanted to run.

So I set my goals:

To run an entire 5K.
To run that 5K in under 40 minutes.

Then, I looked up a race that would be just after I turned 40, downloaded the Couch to 5K app, and got busy.

The Diary of a 40-year-old Non-runner Training for her First 5K | Lizzie Bruce

My Couch to 5K Diary

Here is a look at my journey learning to run a 5K at {almost} 40 years old.

Week 1 (Let’s get going . . .)

Day 1 – I was a bit out of breath, but it felt good to push myself a bit.
Day 2 – I can totally do this. All I have to do is follow this app for 7 more weeks and I will rock this 5K.
Day 3 – Easy peasy – ran and walked with the app every single time and didn’t even feel that out of breath.

Week 2 (Progress, a bit painful progress, but moving forward)

Day 1 – Ok, that was a bit more challenging, but it was doable.
Day 2 – Still sore from day 1, but once I got to it, the kinks worked out and I felt pretty good about my run / walk.
Day 3 – Felt comfortable with the running / walking segments all week and today was no change.

Week 3 (A bit of success and a dose of reality)

Day 1 – Seriously, I just ran for three minutes straight! It totally kicked my tuckus, but I did it – take that {almost} 40!
Day 2 – Another great run / walk on the treadmill; wondering why I waited this long to do a 5K.
Day 3 – First time running outside on real pavement. Umm . . . not the same. I left feeling that I am woefully unprepared as I barely made it through. Maybe I am crazy to think that I can run the entire 5K at 40 years old with no running experience . . .

Week 4 (A massive struggle, mentally and physically)

Day 1 – Man those Christmas cookies are taking their toll and slowing me down. Couldn’t make it through either 5-minute segment. Plus, I tried adding an incline for the other three minute segments in hopes that it would prepare me better for outside running – it was tough, just tough . . . disappointed.
Day 2 – I am crazy. My body is not capable of this. I couldn’t make it through either 5-minute segment again. I did the three minute ones and added a sprint at the end to push myself. Overall, I am bummed – I thought running would be easier at this point. I might have to repeat this week.
Day 3 – I was ready to chalk this day (and really the whole training week) up as a loss – my stomach was not feeling happy and my doubts were high. But I got on the treadmill anyways. Three minutes into the warm up, I got mad – mad that a little thing like running for 5 minutes was going to derail my goal or running an entire 5K for the first time at 40. I may have cursed a bit and I sweat a whole lot, but I punched that 5 minutes in the face – finished every single run / walk as scheduled . . . FINALLY!!!

Week 5 (Stepping it up . . . big time)

Day 1 – Turns out I can run for 5 minutes at a time – three times in a row and even add a last-minute sprint!! It was a big victory in my book, especially after last week. I did have to tell the negative thoughts to go where the sun doesn’t shine a few times – I am coming to appreciate how much of running is a mental game. My body can do far more than my head thinks it can – take that {almost} 40!
Day 2 – We {hubby and I} headed outside for this one and I did it, mini-hills and all! Plus, we did a few sprints after we were done. I was a bit worried after my last outside run – the week 3 debacle – but it felt good to push myself and I am proud that I did it.
Day 3 – It was raining and cold outside, so I had to do this one on the treadmill, which made me nervous. The first 10 minutes, I had it in the bag. The next eight . . . not so much. The final two – I have no idea how I did these as I thought there was no way I could continue – it had to have been the beat and screaming in the music I was listening to (Rage Against the Machine.) During the cool down, I did a few 30 second sprints just to prove to myself that I could do more. I think I can officially call myself a runner now!

Week 6 (Another hodgepodge week)

Day 1 – I thought it would be easier than it was – my run was a mental battle as my head just wasn’t in the game, but I did it. In the cool down, I did three 30 second sprints again – I like to remind my mind that my body can do more than it thinks it can.
Day 2 – I ran a mile! A full mile – twice!! Take that 40!
Day 3 – Wow, all I can say is wow! I actually ran over two miles without stopping – I had to drag myself mentally through the last half mile, but I did it.

Week 7 (Hitting the over 2 mile mental wall)

Day 1 – For some reason, I had a mental barrier on 2.5 miles. This was a very difficult run for me. It just felt all wrong, but I did manage to complete it – just not in the time I had hoped.
Day 2 – Today’s run was much better. Still a challenge, but I am hopeful that I will be able to meet both my goals.
Day 3 – We ran this one outside, and it went much better than the week 3, and even the week 5, outside run. Although, there was lots of sweat and I had to talk myself into the last mile, but the first one felt absolutely great – progress!

Week 8 (Race Prep week)

Day 1 – Ran this one outside again. I made it 2.5 miles and had to walk just a bit before finishing up my run. It was pretty discouraging as the race was only a few days away. It had me wondering if I really could do this . . . again.
Day 2 – Another outside run, complete with a few hills. I did it! Ran the whole thing in a time that will be under my goal time.
Day 3 – This run was a rough one – at least the last mile was. My time wasn’t the greatest, but it was just under my goal time. Race day – here I come!!

Race Day

I hate to admit it, I was intimidated by all the runners passing me in the beginning. But my hubby, who was running with me, reminded me to pace myself. This was my run – a race against my goals – not a race to stand on some podium.

He ran with me the whole time, even though my pace is far slower than his – best running buddy, ever! Thanks to his encouragement and my training, I ran the whole 5K!

My final time was 35:22 – not beating any land speed records, but I managed to meet both my goals.

Here are a few things that I learned from the journey of non-runner to runner

Running is a mental game.
Running is a great way to get healthy – I lost a few pounds along the way.
Even someone like me can run.
Have a running buddy – it really helps!

Although the process was painful at times, I am so glad that I did this. At the time of writing this, I am running about 10 miles a week with the goal of working my way up to 20 or so miles a week. I am not the fastest runner, nor do I run the longest distances, but I am a runner and I love it!