new & unexpected... love?

I never, ever thought I'd say this, but I'm falling in love with running.  I started several months ago doing a Couch to 5K plan, was really loving it, then I took a run outside on one of my longest days so far on the plan & I have to say, it really sorta freaked me out.  It was slightly cold & breezy that day & up to that point I had only run on my treadmill.  I had a hard time keeping my pace & my breath.  So I took about a week break from running, thinking maybe it wasn't for me after all.  I did exercise dvds in the interim, but I was actually missing running... I couldn't believe it.  Never in my entire life, have I had an easy time running.  I used to dread the days in high school gym class when we had to run around town or do laps in the gym.  It was really hard for me & I never enjoyed it.  Running still isn't the easiest thing for me, but it's definitely getting easier, more enjoyable & I'm loving pushing myself to levels I never thought possible for myself. 

The other day my sister & I went to a running store & I got fitted for the right running shoes... can I say, if you haven't done this yet, do it.  I was actually wearing the right type & size of shoe for my foot, but since I'd had them for quite some time I decided to get a new pair.  A.mazing.  I'm running faster, longer & with less aches. 

Another thing I've been doing tons of is reading as much as I can about running... about form, nutrition, injury prevention, races, training... really whatever I can get my hands on {I'm a little obsessed}.  I've "liked" about every running/fitness magazine I could on Facebook.  I downloaded the book "Run Like a Mother" to read & took it down in a few days.  Although they're way more hardcore than me, it was funny, informative & enjoyable.

I'm doing my first 5K the day before Easter & although I'm still not sure that I'll be able to run it all {probably a run/walk combo}, I'm excited to just do it!  It's funny, I seriously sit at my computer, do housework, help the kids with homework, make supper, just thinking... when will I have time to go for a run today?  That... is NOT my normal behavior people!  But I love it none the less!

Another thing I love... my kids & husband are seeing how serious I am about this.  The kids are asking if they could do a 5K too, can they run on the treadmill, Lydia {4} watches intently while I run {asks many, many questions} & tells me how fast I am.  We're talking about doing more active family days, like hiking trails when the weather warms up.  It's going to be so much fun this summer to be able to do things I would have never considered last year as my larger, less fit self.  I've already promised more trips to the pool!

{robyn}