Running for the goal

So I took up running. I always enjoyed walking, but felt like could do more. After watching my step dad, Mom and sister running, and hearing all about Bob , my step dad, finishing the Boston Marathon, my mom telling me how great she felt with running, and my sister being super fit.. I was finally inspired to try it after I returned home from visiting there this past summer.

I started off already working out lightly, and watching what I ate, so decided to just jump right in. I did research on the internet, on how to learn to run, and learned all about interval training.. basically mixing running with walking. My ultimate goal is to be able to run during the Relay For Life this coming summer.

I found a program that I liked, that got me running sooner, and would be easy to remember when to switch up running and walking.. then I loaded Anna up in the stroller and out I went. That first week, was walk for a minute, then run for a minute, 7 times, for a total of 14 minutes. By the ime I hit the 5th or 6th time, I was wondering why I was doing this. I did it 3 times that week, and by the third run, it was a bit easier, so I moved to the second week when it came around, walk 1 minute, run 2 minutes five times.

I am working on Week 10, walk one run 10, and this is my 11th week doing it. I have felt my body strengthen, my lungs be capable of carrying me through my runs. From smoking 11 years, quitting for 3 and now running maybe they will forgive me for all the abuse I gave them. Today was my first day of running for 10 minutes straight, but I wanted to try something a bit different, and go for two sets of 20 minutes, and I was able to do it! I am a whole lot sweatier then normal, but the feeling of accomplishment, combined with the super endorphins, is incredible!

I never thought I would be a runner, it is a lot of work and a lot of alone time. I worry when I become pregnant next time that I will take the easy way out and just not go, because I need to rest, or just don't feel like it, but hopefully, if I can continue running as long as I can, that it will be so ingrained, that I won't have any other way to do it but go.