"Run Forest Run!"

I began this blog and started this journey with a few main goals in mind.  I called them "resolutions" at the time.  There were three of them.  I've mastered chopsticks, not much to say about that other than YUM.  I failed miserably, although not regretfully, at buying only 2nd hand clothing, and I've run 4 races so far this year, with my 5th race this Sunday.  I'll actually be ahead by 1 race!

I really started training on January 14th, 2012.  Never having been a runner and never having the desire to run, I never expected it to become the addiction it is today.  Back in January I started with an average pace time of over 13 minutes per mile, that is snail crawling pace for many people, but baby steps right?  I kept on and by April 14th, 4 months later (and over 100 miles run) my average pace was right around 11 minutes per mile.  I still walk from time to time, although I've been able to complete 3 and even 4 mile runs without walking.  I call this progress people, and it feels AMAZING! 

I've heard the phrase, "I run because I can't afford therapy."  I've come to realize how true that phrase is.  Therapy is expensive!  :)  Seriously though, it is amazing what a healthy exercise habit can do for your mind, soul, health, and oh yeah, your body.  Speaking of body, I'll post a picture taken yesterday. 

I feel good (insert James Brown dance here) and finally everyone around me sees it, not only physically, but in my self confidence. 

So often I hear people say they admire my motivation, but they just don't have the time to exercise.  I can tell you, if you continue to think that way, and live in the same routine you live now, you never will.  You really do have to change your life.  I wake up an hour earlier than my kids to run, and for those of you who know my kids, you know that's pretty freakin' early.  I get myself and two children ready, drop off at daycare, off to work for 9 hours, back home.  Eat dinner quickly so I have enough time for it to digest so that after my kids go to bed, I can get some strength training or yoga in before I go to bed and do it all over again.  Am I complaining? Absolutely not!  I feel so much better and every aspect of my life is so much more manageable now.  My point is, if you want to see change, you have to put in the effort (a lot of it) to make the changes, because what you were doing before led you to where you are today and nobody else is going to make those changes for you.  And now I must sign off, because 4:30am comes very early and I have a date with my tennis shoes and 4 miles of glorious pavement.  Perhaps I'll see you along the way!