On Becoming A Runner...

Early this Spring I was feeling blah pretty bad.  Clothes weren't fitting, energy was ho hum, and I was grumpy.  Something had to be done.  So I got back on the running wagon.  I started about 3 years ago getting fit and trying to run in 5k fun runs.  I had some good experiences with those events and it hooked me.  Last Summer I didn't end up doing much running because of some numbness in my foot that turned out to be ill-fitting shoes.  But I wanted to wait until the tingling went completely away before doing any more running, and that took the whole Summer. So no real training that year.  Then this year I wanted to race again and I wanted a real challenge.  I knew I could run 3 miles, but could I run 6 or 10 or more?  My fears were unfounded as I have been following a half-marathon training schedule for beginners.  It has worked!  When I complete the weekly runs I do improve, and my body responds readily.  I have given myself twice as long to complete the training schedule as they gave me, knowing that life would get in the way.  And it has.  Also I wanted to see how my body would respond to the huge amounts of running that I would be doing with out mentally stressing out if I missed a few days here and there.   So I took it easy and worked for two weeks on each level of running before pushing further.  My latest long run was 6.5 miles.  And I couldn't believe how easy it felt!  I can run for 30 or more minutes without feeling like I have to stop for a breather.  I did walk a bit on my 6.5 miler, but that's to be expected and normal--probably a half-mile total.  I am pleased and proud of my progress.  I am ready for a 10 K race at any point now, and the next goal will be a half-marathon. The endorphins are such a high kick.  At the beginning of this Spring I could not go 3 minutes without feeling winded.  Such a difference to my running stamina now.  My major goal was to compete in a half -marathon within 2 years from that time, and it had to be before I turn 40.  It seems that this goal is well within my grasp.  Not the Spokane race this year , but next year I will be in it.