Training

I used to run, long before marriage and kids and all that extra baggage I now carry around with me. I never got to the point in my running where I could run a 5K nonstop, but I could go about 2 miles before having to resort back to a walk. I really enjoyed running. It's very fulfilling, and I always felt better after a good run. Since then, every time I see someone jogging down the street, I secretly wish I could be doing that again. Well since I started walking 2 miles a day (since January), I've been telling myself that when I got the rest of my weight off, I'd get back into running. Then I started watching "The Biggest Loser". I never watched it before this year, probably because it made me feel guilty, not realizing how inspiring it would be! I see these people on that show, bigger than I am, running and working out, and of course I think, "If they can do it, there's no reason why I shouldn't!" But still, I was hesitant to jump into it. Then I met a lady at the track where I walk. She was a little overweight, not really possessing what I would consider the build of a runner. She was running when I got there, and I kept waiting for her to slow to a walk, but she never did! She continued to run the whole time I walked my 2 miles. We finished around the same time, so I engaged in a conversation, letting her know how impressed I was. Come to find out, she's lost 104 lbs. since last August! She did a run/walk clinic back in January, and it built up her endurance. She ran SIX miles that day! I went straight home, and Googled Couch to 5K . Since then, I've enlisted my boys to train with me, and we're on our way! Granted, today was only our 2nd day, but I have to say, it was easier today than it was our 1st day! At times I feel a little overwhelmed when I think about it, but I've been talking myself down, and reminding myself to take baby steps (not literally). :) I mean, honestly, we're talking about 30 minutes, 3 days a week. That's a small price to pay, in my opinion. So when I look at it like that, I consider it very doable. And Gage (my 6 yr. old) loves it so much, that was the first thing he said this morning, "Today's Wednesday! We get to go run tonight!" I'm guessing he'll keep me on track!

Stay tuned: I hear there's a 5K coming up in the fall... Hopefully, it will be the first of many for the Mullins family-