Wednesday, April 10, 2013

I signed up for my first 5k. No, really.

I've always wanted to be a runner.

Bwahaha!

No, I'm lying.

When I was young, I used to run all the time.  Frolick, I think it was called.  I'd run here, there and everywhere.  Freeeeeeedommm!  My dad used to say all the time that I was fast.  That was back when running was a means to get from Point A to Point B.  And this was all before I had a driver's license.

I drive now.

Over time, running became... haaaaaarrrdd.  And I wanted to do it less.  And I'd tell anyone who asked (or didn't ask) that running was bad for your joints and you shouldn't do it.

Heh.  Right.  That's why I didn't run.

But, I've always liked the idea of running.  I've always wanted to pretend I was a runner.  You know, that motivated, energetic, disciplined, happy, fit type person?  That's how ads portray runners anyway:



But it's not like that for me when I run.  When I run, I pretty much look like this:



But, I'm always in awe of the ones who make it look so easy.  How do they do that?  And how can I get me some of that??

I have a friend who's been a runner her whole life.  She said that running helps her clear her mind.  I'm not quite sure how that happens.  I guess when you spend the time thinking "this sucks" or "why am I doing this" rather than thinking about whatever was bothering you, it might help.  But otherwise?  No.  Just no. 

Or, at least, that's how it used to be for me.

The last couple years, I've done the "Couch to 5K" system to help me run when the weather's nice.  And I'm ashamed to say I've never finished.  I'm not even sure I've made it past week 3 in years' past.  It's just so hard for me to get motivated.  I don't crave exercise like my crazy lovely SIL.  I'd rather read.  Or watch TV.  Or do laundry.

But, this year?  No more.  I signed up for a 5K.  I HAVE to do it this time because I've already paid the money I want to finish something.  I want to know what it's like to run 3 miles nonstop.  Forrest Gump ran for years (mostly) nonstop and I can't do a silly little 3.10686 miles?

Well, not this time!  I'm running.  And I might still look like picture #2, but I don't care.  Because I feel that high after I'm done running (mostly because I'm done running) and I like it.  

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