I ran!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I hate running. I mean, I hate exercising in general, but I especially hate running. I've spent my fair share of time on the elliptical at the gym pretending to like it, but I never really did.

A few weeks ago, I learned that a coworker and fellow Disney-aholic had a running blog so I checked it out. I asked her if I could come running one day because, seriously, who wouldn't want to run with this woman? I mean it - click the link and check it out.

Isn't she adorable?! And so incredibly nice. On Tuesday, we went for a run and chatted about how she got started running and how she loves the running community. It was so inspiring. I always saw running as an all or nothing. You were either a marathon machine or a couch potato. I know there are 5Ks and what not out there, but it seemed like all of my runner friends were intimidatingly gung ho about it. Sarah is serious and dedicated, but about the fitness, experience, and community. Listening to her stories, our run flew by and I survived. I moved for 2 1/2 miles without stopping!!!

After thinking about it, there were a lot of misconceptions I had about running. Turns out, I'd made it into a tremendous mountain instead of the "hey, it's nice out and you've got legs - why not go for a run?" that it should be.


Five misconceptions I had about running...

1. I couldn't run.
I have horrible memories of being asked to run 2 miles the first day of field hockey practice in 9th grade. Let's just say that there was a lot of crying, yelling, and puking involved and I didn't finish the warm up. I was so embarrassed! I never really tried again. Doing color guard throughout high school and college, we were never asked to run and our warm ups were dance related. I was convinced I just couldn't run. Well, apparently I can because I did this week.

2. Running is boring.
I think it can be. My two runs with Sarah have been a lot of fun. Getting out of the house and chatting with an adult about stuff other than work? Sign me up! She made a good point that running can be social time or thinking time. Sometimes you need one and sometimes the other. Either way, its getting out of the house time and good for you whether you're running or walking.

3. To run, I need to run really fast.
When I would picture running and I would picture RUNNING. Like, fleeing from a wild animal type running. If I can't keep that pace for longer than 50 yards, well I'm obviously not a runner. Well, duh you can't keep up that pace. Will you eventually get faster? Sure, but there's nothing wrong with walking or jogging so I'll stick with walking and jogging.

4. Running wouldn't do anything for me.
I'm not part of a gym, so what could running alone really do for me. Might as well not even try. Yeah...admittedly it's flawed logic, but an excuse is an excuse. Right now, I'm just focused on getting my pants to button so ANYTHING is going to help more than my current plan of, "nothing."

5. I would have to run everyday.
I can run whenever I darn well want! How often will that be? I don't know, but I'm not going to stress about it. 


This week alone I've run more than I've run in the past 15 years. I'm not even exaggerating.So what's next? I'm not sure. Like I said, I'm not going to worry about it. If I worry about it, I won't want to do it. Maybe we'll go for a walk as a family this weekend. Maybe I'll go for a run. Who knows.

I do need a goal, I feel like. Ya know, after the one about buttoning my pants. Keep an eye on my new ticker (to the right) for all the fun.