Harder than I thought it would be

At the end of May, I gave my word to taking a step toward improving my physical health. After a friend recommended the book Younger Next Year, I was convinced of the evidence in favor of exercise and decided to make a big change. Someone I admire--who is also overweight and sedentary like me--had started the C25K program and so I decided to do that too. I liked the structure and I really liked having a concrete goal--working up to running a 5K.

Whew. So the good news is that I have now gone to the gym at least 4 times a week (and almost always 5 times a week) for 9 of the last 11 weeks. More good news: I've increased my capacity for running by at least 8 times what it was before. I've done things that I've never done before and that I didn't know I could do. The bad news: I am nowhere near running a 5K!

Let's do this by the numbers: Times I had run before June 2011--2. One time in college, I went out to run with my gorgeous roommate. I huffed and puffed while the boys running on the same trail hit on her. Never did that again. The second time, a few years ago, I ended up having foot surgery. So.

The C25K plan is designed to increase your running time by a little every day. I actually have to take each day's workout and do it for a week before I can go on the next workout, so this is going to take me 6 months instead of 9 weeks. And I'm okay with that. I feel great, mentally and physically. (Well, except that my muscles are sore and stiff ALL the time, but I can live with that.) I'm really proud of myself. I can see myself becoming a more physical person. It's all good.

So I'm putting this out there just because it's an important happening in my life and this is a way of staying accountable. But this feels like a deal I've made with myself and so I'm not really wanting any replies or comments. Just wanted to say it "out loud." And someday, when I run that 5K, I'll post pictures. I promise.