My Wellness Journey?

The Journey Begins When you Show Up!

The Journey Begins When You Show Up!

“Feeling that my walking is not improving, I decided to challenge my spirit, soul, and body in a Monthly 5K Challenge.”

5K Walking Challenge

Eating To Live and Still Loving To Eat!

In the year 2019, after months and months of feeling defeated in any area of my life; I decided to participate in a 5k that was focused on bringing awareness to Men’s Prostate Cancer. These were the worst three miles of walking I ever experienced. My legs gave out, my back was hurting, my thoughts were telling me over and over “you can’t do it” as I tripped over my feet bruising my knees. After crossing the finish line last, as everyone started departing the venue; I felt defeated, I felt unworthy and I felt this is my new normal. My spirit would not surrender to defeat. Feeling that my walking is not improving, I decided to challenge my spirit, soul, and body in a Monthly 5K Challenge. I research the web for up and coming 5K runs. Five months into my journey, still feeling a heaviness and weakness; I challenged my diet / the way I see and feed my body. I went straight Vegan on the world!!

My 5K journey was challenging not only physically, but emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. Many race days just getting out of my bed was more difficult than the race. Here are a few tips that motivated me during those times.

Pick a Run that has a cause you feel has a purpose: I could relate to each runs/5K I signed up to participate. This made it more fun and exciting to run. Knowing that my resignation and my showing up would make a difference.

Pick a run with cool incentives: I love freebies! Most runs offer medals and shirts to runners that cross the fishline. Think of how that shirt will look on you !! You can even make a Wall Of Fame.

Run with a friend: Motivation and encouragement can be found externally too. My cousin participated in a run with me, it was fun as we push each other and crossed the fishline together.

Location, Location, Location: Picking a location with a great view while running can be exciting and relaxing. Picking a run in a different city, state, or even country can spicy up the run, by allowing you to meet new people and allow you to add the place you ran.

Look into FUN RUNS: These Fun Runs are 5K to 10K and offer great incentives. The Great Inflatable Race was fun and challenging, as the course was in line with Inflatable challenge courses.

Have FUN!: To stay motivated, it will help if you are having fun. Create a social media page or take pictures pre and post-race.

These are just a few tips that help me push through my 5K Challenge. Stay tuned for my up and coming blog on my journey and lifestyle change as a Vegan. Marcus Ratley