This is it

I keep having this crazy thoughts about my progress (or what will be progress eventually) and figured they need to come out somewhere.


I've wanted to run for many years. In my younger days, when I could do nothing and eat everything and never worry about weight, I always told myself if I ever did get to the point where I needed to lose some weight and get in shape I would start running. Of course in my naive state I thought that was easy and you could just do it.. as Nike says.


Well, Nike is sort of right. You can just do it. I found that out last week when a friend of mine asked if I wanted to check out her gym. In one of those out-of-body experiences, I found myself signing up for the gym and stepping on a treadmill. 


I wasn't completely lost at this point.. I had done MANY weeks of research over many different months trying to motivate myself to start.. I just never could. I figured I'd wait till spring, then I'd get out and run.. or hey, who wants to run outside where everyone can see you fail?? Then yeah, I'll  join a gym.. but wait.. I'm intimidated. There was always a reason not to start. Why I did last week? I don't even know. I just know I did, and I can't stop now. 


The plan I'm following is a popular plan I've read up on for a few years.. it's called The Couch-to-5K running plan that can be found here: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

The crazy thing is that my largest inspiration was a friend I had writing classes with back at UND during my undergraduate experience.. I have followed her progress on Facebook and just knew that running was for me. She posted a note shortly after the new year showing what she did and her tips for new runners, I was surprised to learn that the Couch-to-5K plan was what she followed and I immediately knew I could accomplish this goal.


One of the tips she stated to stay motivated was to sign up for a local run so you have a goal. I plan to sign up for a 5K in April, to give myself plenty of time to get to the point I need to be at before I do a run with experienced people.


Okay, this background has been completely random.. but now we're up to date.


I started my Plan last Wednesday, January 4. Friday, January 6, I ended up going in for a fitness assessment and ended up signing up with a personal trainer. I'm not a millionaire.. I'm a grad student.. so I am only meeting with the trainer twice a month. But hey.. I need someone to hold me accountable for my goals. I know that I have given up far too easily in the past. I ended up getting my butt kicked that night and decided to wait until Monday to accomplish day two of the plan.


Tonight I finished off day three of week one, and I was surprised to find that the jogging portion came easier in the beginning than other days. I don't know if that's a sign, but I do know that I had to force myself to get off the couch and get to the gym today, to not only do my workout, but live up to the name of the plan.. haha.. 


Tomorrow I have my second meeting with my trainer, and we'll see where that takes us..


I'm feeling good today.. my legs are sore.. I'm trying to get off caffeine and my head hates that.. but I will do this. I will run a 5K.