This is it!! The week I finally decided to stop TALKING about becoming a runner, and actually DO it! Several years ago I sat and wrote down my bucket list, and running a marathon was a goal I really wanted to include. My father, several siblings and son have all run marathons. I figured it was something I ought to try too. Sounds great in theory right? The trouble was that running has always been ridiculously difficult for me, so every time I started I stopped again fairly soon after. The marathon goal, therefore, is not much closer than it was when I first put pen to paper. Until this week that is!! I'm not sure what made this week special, but have you ever woken up one morning and just known deep in your gut that you're finally ready?? The timing is terrible. I am right in the middle of a move, and am about 35 pounds heavier than ideal (I'll talk more about my fitness history and goals in a future post - but this will be all honesty here, for without it there is no accountability!). I'm a single parent with 9 kids (7 still at home, plus two dogs and a lizard) and I'm currently trying to figure out what to be when I grow up career wise. I have a pretty full plate to say the least, so it would be easy to put off the whole "running thing" until a more convenient time.
But this week my mind and heart just knew...with pure knowledge and inspiration...that there never would BE a convenient time. That the time was NOW...or never as Bon Jovi says in my favorite rock song. That right this minute, in the middle of the chaos of living, was the time that I needed this most. I need it to keep my body as strong and healthy as possible to lift the loads I must carry. I need it to infuse some confidence into my midlife insecurity phase. (I was denying being a mid-lifer until my son recently asked me, "Well Mom, just how long do you intend to live?? When you were my age would YOU have thought you were middle aged?" ummm...reality check. Yes I'm a mid-lifer after all at age 43. Since I am FAR too wimpy to buy a motorcycle or get a tattoo as my crisis statement-- running it is!) I need it to set a good example for my children of both fitness and goal setting. I need it to make new friends in our new area. I'm sure a running club will be a fun social outlet as well as a learning environment. I need it because I said I would do it! And so I want to do it! Or it will always bug me that I didn't. For these and a hundred other reasons it is time! Time to commit. Time to begin! Time to become runner.
I believe in baby steps (which makes sense after raising nine kids doesn't it?) For starters I downloaded the couchto5K app on my iPhone. This week they had me run three times at a pretty easy level. I think they want to be sure you don't get discouraged and throw your phone out the window in the first week. So far so good. Each day of week one you do a five minute walking warm up - then three rounds of running for 45 seconds, walking 90 seconds, running 45 seconds, walking 60 seconds - then another 5 minute walking cool down. I broke a sweat, but nothing fatal - YET! I think it gets harder next week.
If there is anyone out there who would like to begin this journey with me I would love that! Or seasoned runners who would like to share their wisdom here with me and others, I would really appreciate that too. This is an exciting adventure to begin, but will be far more enjoyable the more friends I have along for the ride. Ready Set...GO!!
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