Once a Runner

Do you see that sign in the top right corner?  Look over.  The one that says "My Last Run".  It changed!  For the first time in two full months!  It has been mocking me, daily.  Chiding me.  Your blog has a subtitle with "running" in it, but you haven't been running, it would say.  Yeah, I know.  Remember when I started running?  When I read the article about 101 ways to get motivated and the number one way was to start a blog?  Well, they were right about that.  I have felt the pressure.

So, on this day, after eating too much yesterday, I decided to get back out there.  It wasn't pretty.  I went slowly and I walked off and on.  I didn't want to get too sore or overdo it.  I know it will take a little time to get back into decent form.   

When I ran the 10K race, I was already a little bit pregnant and tired.  Afterward, it was easy to convince myself that I was too exhausted, among other things, to run.  But I got kind of itchy after a month or so.  I was anxious to start up again.  Then I felt so crappy that I couldn't muster up the energy.

But today seemed like a good day to hit the pavement.  It felt good to be outside.  To put my iPod on.  To breath a little heavy.  To clear my head.  To feel my legs working.  I felt kind of unsteady and sluggish and my thighs were all jiggly.  But.  It is always hard to get started, at least for me.

I realized today that this is something I will always go back to.  I can't imagine just walking, until I am too old to do otherwise.  Even though I hardly went but two miles, I felt every bit a runner.

I have my eyes set on a half marathon in May.  Anyone care to join me?

Comments

[Lori at Spinning Yellow]

Kristen - I just started, you know that, right? And I am only a few years younger than you, so you are not too old!!

Niksmom - I detect that you were once a runner? Maybe this is something you could possibly go back to? The race is in New Jersey (not too far for you!)

Julie - Aren't runners annoying? It's like parents, they keep wanting you to join them.

[Laura]

RW = Rainbow World, not Runner's World silly! Tee-hee! Good for you, keep it up and I agree with you about I can't imagine moving my body in some way whether that be walking, running, going to the gym, pilates, yoga.........

[Niksmom]

Congrats! I remember that euphoria of starting again and feeling so motivated! Wow, a half marathon? Have you decided which one? Um, no, I won't be running with you but I'll be rooting for you! :-)

[Julie Pippert]

All right! You're on the move again. :)

My sister claims I will be doing her next half marathon with her. She's a silly girl, that one. Just because I end up jogging every day. Training and marathons would make it deliberate. ;)

GL training for May!

Julie
Using My Words
http://theartfulflower.blogspot.com

[Matthew]

Ooops...! I feel dumber than I normally do...I didn't realize you had read the article...I forgot that RW has actually turned into your magazine :)! I wish they would re-print the original book again...

[Lori at Spinning Yellow]

Matt, I used the title on purpose! I've never read the book, but I read about it in Runner's World and I loved the title. It has been stuck in my head for the last month so it seemed like the most appropriate way to title this post.

Thanks for the running lore information, honey.

[tulipmom]

Good for you for starting up again.

You probably couldn't have picked a better time of year given the stress and over-eating that's usually involved.

[delilah]

Good for you!

Now if only I could find the time, energy, etc. I do miss it.

[kristen]

Hmmmm. Now I could never run. I am too old. And come the new year, I'll be another year older than I am now. Nope. I could never run.

But you? Wow. Good for you.

[slouching mom]

I'm so happy for you!

[Matthew]

I know you didn't realize this but the title to your post is also the title to arguably the most famous book of all time about running "Once A Runner" by John L. Parker, Jr. see - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Once_a_Runner The book has been out of print for quite some time, is so sought after, and such a cult classic that signed copies go for $300 on Ebay! He has a long awaited sequel (http://www.breakawaybooks.com/)due out this month that has been received very well by advanced reviews and a chapter was published in this months Runner's World. So your timing and title are very appropriate and very funny to an old running geek like me :)!