Annoyances

Well I keep forgetting to update this but I want y'all to know I am absolutely still here, never quit on my goals yet. In fact, since mid December I am down 25 pounds.

I have taken up running. Since January 1st, I have completed a 1-mile race, 2-mile race, and my first 5k. I have absolutely, totally fallen in love with running. Yes, it's so hard when you're starting but the rush you get every time you add mileage or even bettter, crossing the finish line, can't be beat.

Here are comments non-runners (usually out of shape people) make to me. You may think these, too.

1)"Isn't running bad for your knees?" Only if you are overdoing it and not using the right shoes. Everywhere I've read recommends running every other day, not every day. I run 3 times a week. I invested in very good shoes. I have yet to hurt my knees. Besides, EVERY sport has a risk of injury. Running isn't a higher risk than anything else. Besides, if I wasn't running, I'd probably be 25 pounds heavier doing nothing.

2)"Running is so boring to me." I think people who think this haven't given it a real chance.. Treadmill running IS boring and I despise it. But running outside is great. Especially when the weather is good.

3)"I don't think I could do a 5k". Wrong. EVERYONE CAN. You don't have to RUN the whole thing--I saw plenty of people at my 5k walking parts of it. You can usually enter 5ks as a walker and walk the whole thing. You can do a 5k in a wheelchair or pushing a stroller. It's such an inclusive sport.

All my life, I thought of how cool it would be to be a runner. I loved watching the track and field events on the Olympics. I would see people out running and think of how much I wanted to be one of them. For years I talked myself out of it and gave up before I really, truly tried.

If you think you want to run, too, don't make excuses. Just do it. Look up a couch to 5k program. Those are great to get started. I believe if I can do it, anyone can. I never played sports growing up and I've never been athletic, and yet I learned how.