Tonight I started back on my running program. This past summer I had started on the C25K (Couch to 5K) program after being inspired by a friend. I got to Week 6 (in about 9 weeks) but stopped. I had all sorts of excuses. They closed the gym closest to me and I didn’t want to drive twenty minutes to run for a half hour, it was too hot to run outside (I live in Las Vegas…it’s a valid excuse), my daughter came back from spending the summer with her father and I wanted to spend time with her and/or someone very close to me moved away and it sort of took all the steam out of me. Pick one. They were all just excuses for becoming lazy and not wanting to be active.
The funny part of this is that at one point I blogged about how great it felt to get active and how it helped clear my mind and brought me a sense of accomplishment when I was feeling down. I wasn’t lying. I do feel better after I’ve worked out. I am one of those people who actually enjoys going to the gym. It just seems like there is always something “more important” to do. You know, like sitting in front of the television watching the previous night’s The Daily Show or playing endless games of Bejeweled or Oven Break (a highly addictive game mind you) on my phone. Important stuff, I’m tellin’ ya!
Unfortunately, doing that other very important stuff does not burn very many calories nor will it help me live a longer, healthier life (I don’t think). So back to being active. I have been walking semi-regularly but I kept having this nagging feeling I needed to finish what I started this summer. I do not really have the same excuses. The weather is better for running (aka it’s not 100+ outside) and I switched gyms so now I’m only five minutes away. My daughter doesn’t feel cheated by me being away for 30-40 minutes and running helps block out the fact that I still miss my friend every day. With the urging and, I’m sure, eventual nagging of my friend Shana I decided to get back on the program. Our goal is to run the 5K of The Race for the Cure together in May. Hopefully we’ll be able to do one or two before that (that will be news to Shana!)
I am not a runner. Nor do I think I will ever call myself one. I think of it kind of like I always thought of Spin class. I loved the feeling after but I do not know if I will ever enjoy the during! What I do know is that this is a challenge for me. It’s a challenge I started and stopped but plan on finishing this time. I try to always publish my day’s run on Facebook because it holds me accountable and puts pressure on me. I would love to think of myself as self-motivated and unphased by public pressure but, let’s face it, sometimes it helps to have a little friendly urging (or nagging) from others who care about whether you reach your goals.
So my friends/readers here I go again! Back to running. I’ll keep you posted on my progress.
On My Mind 
Its like many other things in life, going through tons of work sucks but there will be nothing like the feeling of accomplishment when you are complete. I hope you stick with it!