So I promised that I would keep everyone posted on my journey to becoming a runner...but you should know by now that my promises to blog can be pretty fickle. But I'm here now and that's what matters!
Lots has happened since I took those first steps back in May. Probably the biggest thing is that I actually stuck with the program! I started the Couch 2 5K program that next week and have kept it up. It means that I'm actually out running 3-4 times per week...yeah that's right - me who was sure that it would never happen, that I couldn't do it, that my knees would be sore, blah blah blah. I am actually out there doing it.
And here is the best part - I actually look forward to getting out there with my running shoes and iPod on. When I'm stressed or feel overwhelmed instead of crawling into bed my first thought now is "I need to go for a run". I've gone out in sweltering heat, in the rain, at night - I've hit all the conditions that I used to use as an excuse. I've even been pretty sick this week with a cold and still went out once (figured breathing was a requirement to run so haven't been out since but am on the mend and will get back out this week). It's really weird to feel this passionate about something I've always wanted to do but waited a long time to tray...good but definitely weird.
So where am I at now? I'm up to running a 6 minute interval - it's still a little hard so I think I'll do this week over again until I feel comfortable with it. All to say I'm on track to do that run in the fall and I may actually be able to keep up LOL
Also really cool that since I started talking about this program, a few friends have also started. In fact a colleague at work came to tell me that I inspired her to start it - she was cursing my name after day one cause she was not used to running, but she started and is still doing it :-)
One last note - you can find inspiration everywhere and from anyone. I am a believer in Social Media, and its power is obvious. This past week I drew inspiration from someone I follow on Twitter. She was blogging and tweeting her journey to doing her first triathlon (uh yeah...pretty damn cool in my opinion). As I was running my first 6 minute interval I actually found myself thinking "If she can do a triathlon I can freaking run for 6 minutes!"...and it worked. I pushed myself because of what she accomplished. Have never met her IRL, but I owe a huge thank you to @SharonDV (if you don't already, you should totally follow her on Twitter - she is funny on top of inspiring!!) for keeping me going when I wanted to fall over.
One last benefit from sticking with it - running has helped me stick to my weight loss goals in this season of white wine and BBQs. Definitely an added bonus!
Am headed on holidays for a few weeks, so no posts from me - and I won't promise one as soon as I'm back cause, well I'm not good at keeping those promises :-)
