Run Jeny Run

So, the husband and I don't watch a ton of tv.  For some strange reason, last winter we got started watching The Biggest Loser: Couples.  And we got totally sucked in.  We watched it every week.  At the end of the season in May, the contestants ran a marathon.  One of the guys, Daris, ran it pretty fast and set a new record for their course and program.  I was riveted and I found watching him to be tremendously inspiring.

I have never thought of myself as a runner.  I am the girl who ran with Girl Scout cookies in my pockets when I was a kid.  I am the person who says things like "I only run when chased." I smoked for ten years (in my rebellious youth).  I always say I can't function without a cup of coffee first in the morning.

Daris inspired me to run.  One day, idly surfing, I came upon the couch to 5k running plan on coolrunning.com.  I thought to myself that if that super heavy kid can run a marathon, then I could run too.  So I did.

I started getting up at six (or sometimes 5:30!) and rolling out of bed to run.  Religiously.  I laid my clothes out the night before.  I bought fancy shoes.  I stretched.  I put podcasts on my ipod.  I bought a visor. And then I put my money down on the table so I wouldn't back out.  I registered for a run.

The couch to 5k program is nine weeks long with three training sessions per week.  I printed it out, put on my sneakers and went outside.  That was nine weeks ago.  Yesterday morning, I ran my first 5k in 32 minutes, 23 seconds.  I ran the entire way.  My husband and children came with me and cheered me on as I entered the last leg and crossed the finish line.

People, I am not an athlete.  I am a 40 year old mother of two who is twenty something pounds overweight.  But I did something that I couldn't have done nine weeks ago and never in my life thought I would do; I ran three miles. 

I didn't tell anyone that I was doing it.  I could hardly believe that it would really happen. I've found something that makes me feel good in a variety of ways and that brings me a curious peace. I'm not stopping and now I can say I am a runner.