A day of firsts

So the other night, when I was excited to try running with a group, ended up being cancelled due to bad weather.  I was kinda bummed because I had just gotten myself pumped up enough to brave the cold and wind.  Something that’s been really tough to do on my own lately.  The idea of running with a group along pathways sounded like just the change I need right now.  Good old mother nature. 

But that same mother nature I was cursing a few nights ago blessed me with a fantastic morning today. 

What a morning!  Never in a million years would I think I’d be so glad to go running.  Take that a giant step further and I never thought I’d enjoy it in the dead of winter.  We’re talking 18 degrees, feels like 2 kinda winter.  No joke. 

I was a bit nervous about making sure I layered up in enough clothing, being the newbie that I am.  When I get this one wrong at home, I can be like uh, nope! and run back inside to get another layer.   Once all the seasoned runners helped me decide what to put on and what to leave behind as a dry set of clothing (oh yeah, good idea), we were on our way to one of the trails. 

Then I was a little nervous that I might not be able to keep up with others, but that proved to not be a concern at all as I was discovering that I was keeping pace with my cousin the entire time.  Here’s another big deal.  No ipod!  Everyone leaves the tunes behind to chat or just take in nature.  I have never been fond of this option but decided to go along with it.  I am so glad I did. 

It ended up being one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had in such a long time and on so many levels. 

Calm.

Tranquil.

Peaceful.

Ok, so these words all mean pretty much the same thing, but I couldn’t describe it any other way.  It was incredibly beautiful running out on the snow covered path in the woods.   I’ve never quite looked at fresh fallen snow like this before.  I’m actually glad I didn’t have tunes to distract me from this winter wonderland. 

And, another first, I was able to hold a conversation while running.   The scenery almost provided the perfect backdrop for a therapy session.  My cousin and I talked about a lot of heavy stuff.  Family stuff.  Childhood stuff.  It was like the load kept getting lighter and lighter that when she finally announced we reached five miles, our agreed stopping point, I felt fantastic.  We’re done already?  I was shocked that I did five miles fairly easily and I could have gone even further. 

Boy, I’ve wasted a lot of time feeling miserable in my life.  Why didn’t I pick up running sooner? 

For the first time in a long time I felt like I was really living life to its fullest and I can’t wait to go again!

I must be crazy!

I did it again. 

My sister and I ran another race this morning.  It was oh, a balmy low-twenties degrees or so.  Probably the coldest I’ve run in.  Looking back at the first time I ran in 47 degree temps feels tropical now. 

Since I’m starting to get hooked by this running bug, I was compelled to find one more race before Old Man Winter gets ugly.  Just one more.  To my surprise there are a few other races throughout the winter. 

We’ll see about that.

So as I drove with my sister into the park where the race was taking place, we noticed that we were driving over the finish line.  She joked, “oh, we’re done!” and I laughed and said, ”this will be the ONLY time I ever cross the finish line at the same time as you!”  She’s quick, that one.

You realize just how cold it really is when you peel off a layer to run in.  So I tried to distract myself.  Drank a little water.  Got my gloves and headband ready, got my hat ready for later, got my number pinned on.  Checked to see if I had my stopwatch set right. Went to grab the ipod.  Uh, the ipod? . . . Where the heck is the ipod?  You have got to be kidding me.  I forgot my tunes!  This would be the first time I would be running without music.  Without much needed distractions!  It would be just me, and my breath, and the sound of my feet, and the sound of bells. 

Bells on our shoes, given to us by the race coordinators. 

jingle bells!

Ok, so that’s kinda cool but it would not replace all my pumping tunes. 

No Gaga. 

No Pink. 

No Christina.  

No Rocky theme music! 

LOL!  Ok, so I don’t really have the Rocky soundtrack on there, but I sure could have used it.  I might as well have been running naked because I felt naked without my tunes and the wind cutting through my body didn’t help my theory.  My sister runs without music all the time.  I don’t know how she does it.  I would go mad. 

So we all lined up and I already lost my sister.  She goes up near the front where she belongs.  I tend to hang back, being realistic with my speed as to not piss others off for being in their way.  This race was funny.  Since it was a winter-holiday-reindeer type themed race, a lot of people wore cloth antlers and holiday stuff.  One guy wore a giant pair of red footie pj’s, complete with butt-flap, and a Christmas tree on his head.  There were lots of runners wearing hideous holiday sweaters.  Why didn’t I think of that?  And then about as random as you can get, there were the two mascots of our pro-basketball team.  In their complete mascot gear, ready to run! 

Once we were off and running, I kinda wished I hadn’t noticed everything prior to the race.  I definitely wanted distractions.  I tried to look at the houses and reminisced a little since I was running in the old neighborhood I used to live in after college.  Back when I was in my early twenties, fit, and probably could run this no problem.  It’s weird not having music in my ears.  I could hear myself breathing.  Do I always sound like I’m going to die?  I could hear others breathing.  That person doesn’t sound so good.  Then I even heard panting.  I turned to look.  There’s DOGS here!  OMG!  That was weird.  Hope they don’t nip my heels. 

My first mile wasn’t too bad.  The worst part was getting adjusted to the cold air smacking my face.  At the first mile marker I was at 9:35 pace.  My best so far!  I made it to the second mile feeling alright but I started to think back to my last race where I started having a lot of abdominal pain around mile two.  I’m guessing that somewhere around 2.5 miles was when I started to struggle this time.  I don’t know why because I run farther than this at home.  Maybe it’s the adrenaline and the conditions and nerves?  Maybe I push myself a little too hard in a race, especially in the beginning, instead of pacing myself.  Maybe trying to break the 30-minute 5K goal was going to be too lofty for me? 

I started to slow up a little with my eyes darting around to locate the 3-mile marker, but I didn’t stop running.  I started to get that pain again like the last time, but I was better able to control it or at least not let it take over me.  It’s amazing how that last stretch of 500 feet or so is so hard.  The emotion of finishing, seeing your time, not feeling well.  It’s like I can’t even pay attention to the cheers. 

So there was the time clock.   30:11 and my dream of beating 30 minutes was over. 

Or was it?

This was the first race I ran where they give you one of those chip timers for your shoe.  Ahh, technology.  Your specific chip will activate once you cross the starting line, not when they actually sound the bell to start.  And once you cross, it calculates your true time.  Pretty slick. 

I am proud to say my actual finish time was 29:41.  Under 30 minutes.  Without tunes!  I’m still not fast by any means.  (Sis did it in under 24 minutes!).  But, I’ll take it.  It’s an improvement over my first two races and that’s all that matters.

Well, that and I beat the mascots.   That matters a little, too.  LOL! 

And got my first running boo-boo. 

time for some better running shoes!

 It’s like this strange bruise on the side of my foot that wasn’t there yesterday.  Looks like I’m officially a runner now and a new, good pair of running shoes are in order for the New Year!

There’s a first for everything

Today was the day.  My first 5K.  I tried to figure out what a good goal would be and while I’d love to do this in under 30 minutes, I figured that would be insane.  Then I thought 31 minutes would be nice.  But when I think about the pace I run around the neighborhood, even that seemed so ridiculous to me. 

I must say it was nice to have an 11:00 a.m. start time so I actually slept through the night instead of letting my nerves keep me awake.   I wish I could have remained calm but by 9:30 a.m. I was pretty nervous and realized I hadn’t even eaten anything yet.  I had half a cup of coffee, a glass of water and a piece of wheat toast with peanut butter.  It was all I had time for. 

I wanted to get there early and feel settled in.  It was so hard not to size up the other runners and wonder just how fast they are.  There were a lot of really athletic looking people of all ages.  There were also people who looked about as new as I was.  The anticipation of the race is the worst part.  Everyone stretching and I have no idea what stretches are good.  I turned to my sister and asked, “what am I doing here?” 

When it came time to line up, she likes to position herself in the first 1/3 of the line.  Not me.  No way.  That girl can run a solid 8-minute mile or less.  I went to the back.  By the elderly, children, people in jeans, people with strollers and people I overheard say, “this is my first time, hope I can finish!”  Yep.  These are MY people.  LOL! 

It was not a very large race and according to my sister probably the smallest she’s run in.  It actually made me more nervous. I almost would have rather been lost in a sea of people.  She made sure to give her sunglasses to her husband and I made sure to leave mine on, giving me something to hide behind. 

Once the race started I was able to get a feel for where I fit in.  I passed a few people right off and tried to zero in on those I wanted to keep pace with.  Some ten-year old girl ran next to me for a while.  Wish I started young.  After several minutes and the road starting to curve around I was able to see my sister up near the front of the pack.  Waaaayyy up there.  I just kept going as best I could.  She’s been doing this for a long time.  I tried to focus but it was so distracting to me.  First, just the fact that I was in a race.  Then wondering where the race was mapped and not really knowing where I was going, just following the person in front of me. 

When I passed the one mile marker, I couldn’t hear the guy telling us our time.  I had no idea how I was doing and it bothered me a little.  By the second mile marker I was at 19:something.   I was so excited I forgot what the “something” was, but it was definitely low, like less than a half-minute. 

I’ll be darn!  I was running at a 10-minute-mile pace!!!  I never do that at home.  

At around 1.5 miles in is when I saw my family and husband and that was amazing.  To see them wave and cheer me on really meant a lot to me.  My husband originally had plans but said he’d try to cut out early to get to the race.  I was so happy to see him.

But the magic wore off for me and it didn’t take long after that before I felt like I was hitting a wall.  I’m guessing I was somewhere around 2.5 miles or so when I finally stopped and walked.  It was not a fun decision and when I kept seeing others around me dropping like flies, I was like, “no! you all have to keep going or I won’t keep going!”  Even though my walking break probably lasted less than 2 minutes, it felt like an eternity.  As we came around another bend I could see people cheering on the runners so I started running again.  Once I saw the 3-mile marker ahead, I turned it up a notch.

But once I got past that point and heading towards the finish is when it really felt awesome.  I felt out of body.  Couldn’t lock in on anything.  No clue what music was playing on the ipod.  Not really sure where my family was.  All I saw were those numbers ticking in front of me.  Soon to be my time. 

Wait?  THAT’S my time?!!  It still had a 30 on it for the minutes.  I caught my breath after the awe and shock set in and pushed those last steps.  I had to get in before 31 minutes!   As I was nearing the line I see . . . 30:42 . . . 30:43 . . . 30:44. 

I’m gonna do this!! 

Soooo not flattering! LOL!

And with that, I wish I could tell you what my final time was.  LOL!  I was so excited that I’m not sure.  I know it was under 31 minutes and my sister verified that.  So I guess we’ll wait to see if/when they post the results online. 

Her goal?  She was trying for under 23 minutes and just missed.  Yeah, crazy.  She was fourth female overall, by the way.  Wow!  I wish I could do that.  But it’s ok.  I ran my first race and with a respectable finish for someone who only started running about four months ago, who stopped to walk for a brief moment, and who was one of the last to start the race.  My sister tells me that I could technically shave off a good 25 seconds or so for being in the back.  It’s all good.  Whatever my time was.  I did it!

And this is gonna sound crazy but, I think I’ll do another one . . .

My first 5K

Well, I didn’t give it much thought because I didn’t have time, but I signed up for my very first 5K yesterday.  I had about 30 minutes until the early bird online registration ended.  After that it would have to be done on the spot and for $10 more.  I didn’t want to deal with that kind of stress the morning of. 

My sister brought this race to my attention.  We talked about signing up all week.  Well, she did.  I was still on the fence.  And then when she forwarded me her registration confirmation, I gave in.  It’s benefiting an arts organization, which is cool.  And it’s like the next city over from us, and it starts at 11am and not the crack of dawn.  And it starts and ends at a bar and grille that is providing lunch for participants.  It just keeps getting better. 

Except that I have to run now.

Nervous doesn’t even begin to cover it.  Yesterday I got out of work late and had a stop to make before getting home and time was not on my side.  I forget how early it gets dark this time of year and I still don’t have any reflective running gear.  I was almost in a panic when I burst through the door with the groceries.  I tossed them on the counter and shouted to my husband to put them away for me so I could change and run. 

Who is this person? 

I was never like this before.  I used to welcome any opportunity for an excuse to get in the way of a workout.   So between the stress and the darkness, I ended up only running for 25 minutes.  I was kinda bummed because I wanted a really good run under my belt before tackling this race.  I’ve yet to run past 30 minutes and at the pace I run, I probably couldn’t complete a 5K in under 36 minutes.  Too bad I’ve never run for that long before. 

People tell me the adrenaline will kick in and not to worry.  I’ve even read an article or two on preparing for a 5K explaining that if you can run for a solid 30 minutes, the excitement of the race will carry you through to the end.  Even if you haven’t run that long before. 

I hope they’re right.

Because just the mere thought of my race yesterday while out for my run was enough to make my knees buckle and my legs like jelly.  It also doesn’t help that my sister, who has been running for years still gets super nervous before a race.  If she’s nervous then I’m going to be a flat out mess!  It will be comforting to know that she’ll be there even though there’s a good 3 minute time difference in our pace, but that’s ok.  It’s not about me vs. anyone.  It’s about me vs. me.  Just the fact that I signed up is a HUGE step.  Just finishing the race will be another.  I’m going to try not to worry about my time.  Besides, wasn’t this the whole point of my Couch to 5K program anyway?

Deep breath.  I can get through this.

Walk of shame

Yesterday was the first time in a week that I was able to run.  It was supposed to be a joyous and momentous occasion.  It was the final session of the Couch to 5K nine-week program.  I was supposed to feel proud and victorious knowing that me, the non-runner who still can’t believe she took it up as an exercise hobby and didn’t quit once the entire time.  Not once.  Every time I set out, even though it got harder and harder to do, I stuck with it.  Pushing myself. 

That all ended yesterday.

I made it through 25 of the 30 minutes that I was supposed to run and I quit.

I QUIT.  And made the walk of shame back home. 

And I couldn’t be more disappointed with myself.  The entire time my mind was telling me I just couldn’t do it today.  My legs felt like lead.  I felt lightheaded and sick.  I could come up with a ton of excuses why and some of them were pretty legitimate.  I’ve pumped my body full of Clomid this month and haven’t felt right since.  I’ve felt tired and stressed out with the meds, doctor stuff, work and school.  But I think the main factor is the first sentence of this blog post.  I hadn’t run in a week.  This was by far the longest lapse I’ve dealt with and the biggest reason for it was that I injured my neck somehow.  Possibly from running, maybe from sleeping on it wrong, and most certainly from stress. 

I was in such pain for a solid week to the point that I dug out some old Percocet left over from a surgery just so I could sleep one night.  This was after several bad nights of sleep in a row and couldn’t take it anymore.  Pain makes you crazy.  The night I took it I was pacing around from the pain and the anxiety of knowing I wouldn’t be able to sleep comfortably. 

So excuses, excuses.  I tried to run and finish my program and failed.  I quit. 

Good news is my neck is finally better.  Better news is that I’m not going to stop running just yet.  I’m going to get out there again and finish the program.  I’m amazed that I’ve accomplished this much so far and I need to conquer my goal of a 5K before the weather turns. 

I will not fail.

C25K – W9D2

The “D” doesn’t stand for day.  It stands for dead because that’s how I feel. 

DEAD.

I read someplace that a lot of people give up on the Couch to 5K program somewhere around week four or so.  I can’t even remember what week four was but it had to be easier than week nine.  How stupid is that?  I’m in week nine and felt like it took every fiber of my being to run today. 

I wanted to give up every step of the way.  Why, when I’m so close to the end of the program?  It was my second to last session and after one final session I can finally say, “I did it!  I finished it!”

Do many people really give up on themselves at the beginning of something?  Or is it more often near the end?   I hear it a lot.  Just a few more classes for that degree.  Almost done with a nagging project.  Got about halfway through and had to stop.  

But then there’s no big finish.  Just a  sense of almost-accomplishment. 

I’ve never wanted to give up more than I did today.  Nothing worked.  I mean nothing.  Pretend everyone’s watching you run a race, especially the doubters.  Run a new path today.  Run past some new houses.  Find some new songs to listen to. 

I started getting mad at myself.  Why did I let myself go?  Maybe I’m not runner material?  But that’s ridiculous because I used to be very athletic.  Played sports for YEARS.  Took gym classes in college for FUN. 

Well, I did do it.  I completed the session and while there was small sense of accomplishment, I am just exhausted. I am sore.  I actually feel old.  One more session.  Just one more and then I can decide where to go from here.  Maybe I’ll keep running, maybe I’ll even sign up for that 5K goal of mine.   Either way, I can cross this goal off my list.  Running.  Something I never thought I’d do.

25 minutes – C25K W6D3

Remember when I thought THREE minutes of running was crazy?! 

Twenty-five minutes. 

That used to be a sitcom, while sitting on my butt on the couch, eating ice cream.  Which is how the problem started in the first place! 

So I finished up week six of the Couch to 5K program yesterday and it was by far the most challenging session yet.  Walk for a five minute warmup and then run for 25 minutes, straight.  As in no stopping or counting down to the next walk interval, because there wasn’t one until the cooldown at the end.  The mental side of this was really difficult.  And the physical side was no picnic either. 

I told myself not to look at the time on the ipod at all.  When the signal sounded to tell me “TEN MINUTES”, I thought I wanted to die.  I had  been running for 15 minutes and had ten more to go.  By the FIVE minute warning, my legs were toast, but I kept going. 

I’ve yet to quit on myself or this program so I’m not about to start now. 

By the TWO minute signal, I felt like someone who might have been lost in the woods and about to be saved.  At the ONE minute warning I could see my house.  Oh, there it is!!  I can almost reach out and touch it.

DING!  WORKOUT COMPLETE. 

I wanted to fall into a heap on the street.  It’s true I felt like I was hit by a truck, but the mental part was amazing.  The way I felt about being able to finish without stopping, can’t even be put into words.  It’s definitely gotten hard.  Real hard to do this.  The enthusiasm I once had about the program is starting to be replaced by some fear and intimidation because it’s only going to get harder.  Two weeks from now as I’m finishing the program, I will be running for 30 minutes.  After that, perhaps a 5K.  That is the whole goal in this thing, isn’t it?

My sister’s been asking me to sign up for one.  So has my neighbor.  I’ve gotta wait just a bit longer before I commit.  If I find out I’m pregnant, I’ll have to talk to my doctor first.  If I find out I’m not.  Well.  Sign me up for a fricken marathon because I’ll be pissed enough to run one. 

We shall see.  Until then, I’ll just keep lacing up.

Run, baby run

Yesterday was quite a day.  It started off with our final session of the week in our C25K running program for week five.  And it was probably the toughest session yet. 

No.

I KNOW it was the toughest session yet because there were NO walking breaks.  Just the five minute warmup and cooldown, that’s it.  After the sound of the first signal to run, we had to keep on running for 2 miles, or twenty minutes, whichever came first.  Well, the twenty minutes was more our speed, although we came pretty close to reaching the two miles in that timeframe, which I guess puts us around a ten-ish minute mile.  Not too shabby considering I had to run 8-minute miles in high school for any of my sports tryouts.  And that was how long ago?  We won’t go there. 

So the session was tough enough on its own, but when you factor in that we went to a jewelry party the night before and ate appetizers and dips and filled our fuel tanks with wine, I had a feeling I was heading for some trouble.   My neighbor has more will power than I do.  Unfortunately I’m in that waiting period of being able to indulge on some no-no’s before cutting them off and waiting for my period or some good news. 

And, did I mention we were running at 7:30 A.M.!  On a Saturday?!  It was the only time we both could fit it in our schedules.  I was up for the challenge.  My body was cursing me a little, but my mind wanted to run. 

So to recap.  Bad-for-you food, too much wine, had to set alarm for 5-freaking-30 to take my waking temp for my chart so that it matches the weekday time that I usually take it, went back to bed for another hour, woke up again cursing that I had too much wine, body decides to rid itself of all the bad stuff from the night before almost requiring pepto for the second time this week, had an egg and a glass of water, and then

I ran.

For twenty minutes.  The first ten minutes were actually really good.  Even the several minutes after that, were still pretty good.  But the last few were killer.  It’s true what people say about your mind when you run though.  It can make or break you.  Luckily I’m still in that mode where I have something to prove to myself and my mind cooperated.  In fact, in the final minute I actually felt really strong, like I had this final burst of energy to give it all I had.  My old, puffy, wondering if this-bloat-is-from-ovulation-body, did it. 

And it felt amazing. 

I think I’m hooked.  At least mentally I know I am.  Physically, my body is not happy with me right now.  But I think it’s going through some stuff at the moment.  I crashed and burned the rest of the day, felt like I had cramps and had more annoying symptoms that I never know what to make of.  Did we get it right this time and get pregnant or is my body just riddled with endometriosis, playing tricks on me and/or gearing up for my period?  No clue.  So I’m going to try and remain calm this time.  I have so many other things I need to focus on and this running program could not have come at a better time for clearing my head when its in overload. 

Looking forward to the weeks to come, for so many reasons.

One of those crazy runners

I’d see runners out in the middle of winter so covered up you’d only see their eyes and I’d think “they’re crazy!”

I’d see runners out in the sweltering heat, dripping with sweat and I’d think “they’re crazy!”

I’d see photos of female runners in a race with menstrual blood running down their legs and I’d think “they’re crazy!”

Well, call me crazy then because after yesterday I think I finally get it!

No, no, I don’t have my period.  LOL!  But after writing my blog post yesterday, getting all pumped up to run, I started feeling really sick at work.  It started about 3 hours after lunch.  What did I eat for lunch?  I went out and got myself a nice, healthy salad. 

Now I don’t know if it was a cleanliness-issue, or a this-salad-was-made-two-days-ago-issue, but there was definitely an issue. 

By 3:30pm, I took 2 antacids and decided to lie down on this couch in our lunchroom for a few minutes.  When that didn’t work, I repeated the cycle.  At 5pm I thought I was going to die during my 45 minute commute home.  By the time I got home, well, let’s just say there was a situation. 

And some pepto.

My husband was like “there’s no way you’re going to run today like that.”  And the old me would have looked for ANY excuse to agree with him.  I said, “I’ve got a good hour yet before we run.”

At about 15 minutes before my neighbor was to meet me outside, I took one more dose of pepto.

That ought to do it. 

I am officially crazy.  I did not want to disappoint my friend, or myself and I did not want to miss an opportunity to see if we could do the next session in our program. 

Then I decided that Point A was my house (with a bathroom) and Point B was the golf course clubhouse (with a bathroom) and that anything in between was the woods and I went so far as to put several tissues into my pocket, just in case I couldn’t get from Point A to Point B. 

Really. 

I think in the back of my mind I felt confident, but it was a scary decision.  LOL!

So we did it.  Yesterday’s run was the usual five minute warmup walk, then EIGHT minutes of running, walk for five, then run for eight again.  Then the cooldown.  I still can not believe that it didn’t kill me.  I felt great!  The first interval of eight minutes felt like nothing.  Maybe wondering if I’ll need to find a spot in the woods provided a distraction, I don’t know.  Ha!  But yesterday was really great. 

Wanna know something even more crazy than running after being sick?  Our plan to run again on Saturday morning at like 7:30am!  It’s the only time we both can fit in our last session of the week.   And, if I’m not mistaken, it involves  running for two straight miles.

Yep.  Officially crazy.

C25K – week five and still alive!

Started dreadful week five on Monday and it’s official.  There’s no going back now.  I’m right about halfway through the program and it’s not going to get any easier from here on out. 

And I am proud.  When I was finishing week three looking ahead to week four and saying “forget it!” in my head, I somehow pushed through it.  I read somewhere that a lot of people who hate running, realize just how much they hate it in week four.  But I pushed on.

Now I’m in week five and yes it’s pretty intimidating, but the fact that I’m now running with a neighbor is helping.  You don’t want to be the one who gives in and walks, do you?  Nope.  So we both keep going, silently pushing each other to new limits. 

Monday’s session had us start with the usual five minute warmup walk and that’s about the only time we get any chatting in because after that, you are just hoping you can still breathe between sets.  In mid-sentence I heard the DING! RUN!  and was like “oh, crap!” and off we went. 

Five minutes.  Our first run was for five stinking minutes.  Or at least that’s how I looked at it until before we knew it the time was up. 

That’s it?  THAT was FIVE minutes?  You mean I did it?!!  Wow.  That wasn’t bad at all and my neighbor agreed.  So we walked for the three minute interval gearing up for our second five minute run.  When it came time to run the second time, we could tell we weren’t as strong as the first, but still pretty good.  I wasn’t even embarrassed to wave at other neighbors walking by on the path.  Yeah!  That’s right, I’m running!  Can you believe it?

By the third five minute run, we were nervous.  We both knew this would probably do us in.  But we did it.  The ipod app does a nice job of letting you know how many minutes you have left in the interval, but not until you get to the two minute mark.  I made the mistake of looking at it sooner. 

3:17

Ugh!  More than a minute to go before the voice of encouragement pops on to tell you that you are to continue dying for just 2 more minutes. 

Then one.

Then done.

That last minute was killer, but then again, so were we.  We did it!  We really did it.  I may still not care for running, but I’m no longer hating it.  I’m starting to look forward to the awesomeness that you feel when you finish.  The huge sense of accomplishment.  It’s like little mini goals every other day, 3x a week.  Set one, achieve it.  Set one, achieve it. 

This.  Is what I need. 

My neighbor just emailed me to warn me that our session tonight is 8 minute run, three minute walk, EIGHT minute run.  Yikes.

Bring it!