Run for Your Life

There was a day when I realized I was out of shape...okay that's a nice way of saying the "F" word...F.
A.T.! No one wants to admit it. I sure didn't. I love to bake, cook and create my own recipes...

So....what was I supposed to do? Give up baking? No way! Stop cooking? Seriously? Quit creating my own recipes? You've got to be out of your mind.

The only way to lose a little weight (okay a lot of weight) was to take up some heavy-duty cardio workouts. And, I've never been one for dancing. I'm a clutz - okay? I have about as much rhythm as a slug. So there were only a few options left available to me:

Swimming - I hate the cold water in Oregon
Kick boxing - maybe
running - it's free and you can do it anywhere (even in the rain).

My mind was made up...running it was.

So, for the next year and a half, I took up running. And, this past holiday weekend I hit a goal!!! Finally.

I've been trying to get under 9 minutes miles and it hasn't been easy for an old, overweight, out of shape woman. BUTT...and it's a big one...mine, I DID IT!!!!

I ran over 7 miles running 8.35 minute miles! I know that might not sound like much of an accomplishment to you. But to a 50 year-old woman, that's some HUGE accomplishment.

When I started running, I was running a block then walking a block, running a block then walking a block and I was never running faster than twelve minute miles . . . even when I finally ran that full mile. So, this past weekend may not mean much to anyone but ME!!!! YIPPEEE!!!!!

Now....I just have to find a way to do it for another 19.2 miles!

Hopefully, I'll figure it out in the next couple of weeks - because my marathon is just around the corner. Let's hope it's a downhill corner ;)