run

i'm learning more and more as i age that saying the word 'never' is not only NOT smart, it's just far too unlikely that it'll come true.

for one solid year after i graduated from college, i ran as exercise. it was the quickest, and easeist way to stay in my division I collegiate athletic shape and not have to get back in the water to do it (i was a competitive swimmer for 16 years, concluding my career with 4 years in college)

i loathed it. every step, and every panting, pounding mile. granted, it was effective, it was quick. it was NOT easy. it was not enjoyable. but i stuck with it. more because i can't give up on anything, and stick to commitments, than because it was a good form of exercise for me.

after that year (my goal was to stick with it for one full year) i didn't run again for exercise. I even said 'never again'. that was 16 years ago. and i hadn't run in that time for exercies.

until two months ago. i'm doing it again. and it isn't as bad this time.

it's my husband's fault.

that man can run for 20 minutes 4 days a week, and lose weight. significant, clearly visible amounts of weight.
I can go to the gym 6 days a week, click away for 40-45 minutes on cardio equipment NOT including the treadmill, and lift weights, and not change visibly. not one bit. (i feel differently, of course, and my clothes feel differently, but there is not large quantity of weight falling off my body at rapid speed)

one might say, well, gee, perhaps your eating habits are quite different. yeah, they are. he eats chocolate chunk cookies for breakfast to my yogurt, and bananas. he eats sandwiches on large rolls to my wheat roll ups with mustard instead of mayonnaise. you know, different. pftttt.

okay, back to running.

i'm at it again, and this time, i am taking it hostage. i will decrease my carb intake, increase my fruits and veggies, and cut back on things that are possible problem areas.

i also have decided something: when i turn 40, ahem, sometime in the near future, i am going to run a race of some sort. dunno the distance, don't know where, but i am setting an attainable goal, and focusing my drive towards that goal.

i am also keeping my spirits up, and my attitude in a positive place with regards to running. this time, THIS time, i will at the very least *like it*.

a little.