Leaving My Couch

So let me let you in on a little secret: I'm not a runner - never have been (shocked?). Once, in 8th grade, I got the crazy idea that I was going to join the track team (maybe I had a head injury or something, I don't know what caused the idea). So I went home, laced up my totally crappy tennis shoes and set off..... I barely made it around the corner. My track team dream died that day (tear).

Really though I don't know what I was thinking there. I never liked running, or really any physical activity, growing up. I was the kid who tried to figure out any excuse to get out of gym class - although I partly blame this on being so much taller and more, um, developed then my peers for years and then being heavier when I was a little older. I played some sports growing up, softball and basketball, but not really by choice and finally whined and complained enough that my mom let me quit. I was much happier sitting on the sidelines with the marching band then actually running up and down the court (::cough-nerd-cough::).

But in the last year or so that has really started to change. As I've slowly gotten more active I've also developed a bit of a love for sports (can I blame this on BWW and their 8 million tvs?). Now I look forward to going to the gym and moving my rear, I turn on Sports Center if I see that it's on, I read the sports section of the newspaper, and just the other day at work I was telling a couple coworkers that I think it would be fun to be a sports reporter (wait, who am I??!). So, basically I'm starting to love all those things that I absolutely despised and schemed to avoid as a child. Better late than never I guess, right?

So, where am I going with all this? Remember in my last post how I mentioned that there was possibly something in the works? Well, the time has come for me to let the cat out of the bag.

My friend Breanne of "Bella Vita" and I have been emailing back and forth about our trips to the gym and our fitness goals. Breanne is trying to lose the weight she gained when she had her adorable little girl, Bella (have you seen this kid? freaking adorable). In one of our emails I mentioned that I was thinking about starting the Couch to 5k program to give me something to focus on and work toward (I do better with a goal, but that's another blog post). Breanne said that she'd thought about the program too and thought she might look into and maybe we could do it together. Then she came back and made me put my money where my mouth (typing finger?) is..... she asked if I actually wanted to do a race. And, wait for it, I said sure (seriously, who am I??)

So, this July Breanne and I will be doing a 5k right here in my town (which is conveniently close to Breanne's town). I'm planning to start the C25K program this week so that I have plenty of time and can 1. repeat any days or weeks if I need to and 2. have plenty of time to run 3.1 miles before the big day. I'm really, really nervous (have I mentioned that I've never been a runner?) but am also really exited to have a goal to look forward to. I know in the blog world sometimes a 5k is considered child's play, but crossing that finish line will be a huge deal to me, and getting to that point is going to be a lot of work. But don't worry, I'll fill you in on every detail of that work (you were worried, right?)

So, expect a report on Week 1, Day 1 later this week. And if you never get it someone check the wall behind the treadmills at the gym and make sure I'm not splattered against it.

Anyone out there a runner? Got any tips for a total newbie?