Running

I started running last year. Remember?  I'd heard that it's addictive and thought that those people who think that are certifiable and should be tied to a pole in the middle of town where everyone can watch some big angry guy beat them with their running shoes. But here's the thing: it really is! It is amazing to me how much I enjoy running. It's hard--dang hard--and I still feel like I'm a crappy runner. But I do feel like a runner. There is something so nice about turning on the television (I need something to distract me from the pain), getting on my treadmill and just running. It relieves my stress, it leaves me alone with my thoughts and almost always, when I finish, I feel like I am strong and I can do anything.  I was worried when I started running that I would stop when it got hard and I am proud to say that I haven't. I have had some terrible experiences running, but they are by far the exception. I just love it! I'm really excited for the day when I feel like I am ready to run a Ragnar, I want to get to the point where I can comfortably do a half-marathon and maybe, someday, gulp...I want to run a mar....I can't say that out loud yet. ;o)

I'm still too chubby, I still can't run as far or as fast or as easily as I'd like, but it hasn't kept me from trying and I like that. Running has taught me so much about myself that I don't know I'd have learned any other way. I'm so grateful for those cute girlies willing to meet me at the track at 7AM in the freezing cold so I could learn to love this. Good times!