March flew by in a blur of gym days, steady strides, and more than a few proud moments. What stood out most? Not just the mileage milestones—but the mindset shift. Even though I hit some exciting new goals this month, I also gave myself permission to slow down a bit and enjoy the process. I showed up consistently, even if that meant just a simple 3-4 mile run. I honored my need for rest, taking two days off each week. It wasn’t about chasing big numbers every day—it was about building a rhythm I could stick with.
One of the biggest highlights? Long run Fridays.
It’s the one day I get to run in the morning instead of the evening, and I made it count. This month, I set a goal to run 10 miles without stopping—and I actually did it! (Still smiling about it!)
I had a total of three long runs in March. The first time, I simply focused on running for two hours straight and ended up hitting 9 miles. For the second and third runs, I locked into a steady 5.5 MPH pace and was able to finish 10 miles just under the two-hour mark.
Now, if you’re a seasoned runner reading this, you might think, “Okay, not a huge deal.” But for someone who just started running three months ago?
It feels like a huge deal.
I’m learning how to maintain a slower pace for longer stretches—and that’s been a game-changer. I’m not ready for a marathon just yet, but the fact that I’m hitting mile 10 already? It gives me so much hope that I’m on the right track.
I’ve got my sights set on 13 miles in April (yep, a half marathon distance!). The tricky part is that I’m limited to a two-hour window at the gym—my little ones get to hang in the kid area while I work out—so I have to fit all of my training into that time slot.
Also worth mentioning: I’ve done all of my running so far on a treadmill. I know, I know—some runners absolutely hate the treadmill. But honestly? It’s been a great training ground for me. It’s helped me learn how to pace myself, focus on my breathing, and feel totally safe while working out. Now that the weather is starting to warm up, I’d love to test out some longer runs outside and see how that feels compared to running indoors.
If I had to sum up March in a sentence, I’d say it was about being consistent with the small stuff—and brave with the big stuff. I kept showing up on the short runs, and I pushed myself when it mattered most.
For April, I’m keeping the same game plan: shorter runs between 3-5 miles during the week, and longer Friday runs where I work toward that 13-mile milestone.
Let’s see what this next month brings!
