Runner I Was Not

I have never been a runner. Never. Even in middle school when you had to run a mile or whatever, I hated it. That's why swimming was always so perfect for me. Completely opposite from running. Running = vertical. Swimming = horizontal. Running = hot. Swimming = cool. Running = moving slowly and looking like a fool. Swimming = gliding through the water nice and gracefully.

Well, something changed in the fall. For whatever reason, I had the desire to run. Now, I've had that random, out of nowhere desire before which usually led to one run around the apartment complex to which I'd run for about 15 minutes, be sore the next day, realize how crazy runners are to do what they do, and that would be the extent of my try at running. But this time was different. I had a program, a routine, something to accomplish and work towards. I won't lie, the first run was really hard. I was only running for a minute at a time and I couldn't imagine how I could possibly finish this program and run a 5K (~30-45 minutes). But I kept at it. I was sore a lot but I wanted to finish. I had the drive. I even got all the way through SEVEN weeks of the program! Seven weeks of running three times a week! Amazing. And then came Thanksgiving, where I even ran for 25 minutes straight! Also amazing. I couldn't believe it.

But then I got sick, and it snowed, and the time changed so it wasn't light out when I got home from work.

FINALLY, I went running for the first time in over a month on Friday. I joined the rec center so no more excuses if it's raining, cold, dark outside, snowing, whatever. I wasn't sure what my ability would be after that far of a break but I started back with the Week 6 workout. Only a week behind where I was. And how did I feel.....SORE! But I went again today and felt better. I really want to do a 5K in 2011. Crazy, but also super exciting and the craziest thing is that I actually LIKE running now. Wow, never thought I'd say that. Thanks c25k program!