Unless a bear is chasing me...

McFrench

I don't run.

I have always laughed at runners, while secretly admiring them. There is a line from a movie about "jogging, or hogging, maybe yogging...not sure how it's pronounced". No one wants to see me hauling my big butt down the street, flabbing as I go...so I don't. I walk, and I hike, and I bike and swim and kickbox and step. And I am down 46 pounds!

But I don't run!

But then I started jogging down Badger Mountain near my house, it's almost easier than walking down it. So, 4.3 miles roundtrip, that must be over 2 miles of jogging. But I don't count that.

Yesterday, I got on the old treadmill at the gym, did a 5 minute warm up, and thought "Why the hell don't I just run a few minutes??" My husband runs for his physicals. I bet I could run a half mile. So I started. Then it became a competition with myself. I decided I could go 10 minutes. Then I could hit a mile (13.5 minute mile!) then I wanted to hit 15 minutes of running...and I kept reminding myself of all the stuff I have accomplished in the last 6 months. And I just kept going. And going. And it wasn't all that bad.

I ran for 45 minutes. 3.3 miles....that's just over a 5K! I think I could have kept going, but the gym daycare was closing. Guess I will have to try again!

Warrior Dash in September...here I come!

I celebrated today by buying 3 new workout shirts, new workout socks and a new water bottle. Yay me!!

Kitiara47

Awesome dedication!! Keep it up and I bet you can really get going! :flowerforyou:

NuttyBrewnette

:drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

melinda104

Great job! My daughter used to have the same philosophy about running. Now, she's an avid runner and is doing the Warrior Dash in September as well. As for me, I used to be a runner and thought I could do the same. I'm going in for knee surgery on July 8 because I thought I could jog again. So, keep up the good work and run for the rest of us!

dcerna62

Great Job! I wish I had that kind of self motivation. I do mostly circuit training and the elliptical. I always tell myself that I'm not a runner but who knows.....maybe someday :-)

AZTrailRunner

You should be telling yourself that you ARE a runner. Positive thoughts yield positive efforts.

it can be harder for people learning to "run" as an adult instead of as a child. But, just keep telling yourself "tomorrow it will be just a little easier than today".

Bearface115

I admire you, in fact, i need to be more like you with that philosophy! Great JOB!

kelly6485

Great job on your hard work and dedication, but a bit of advice.....IF A BEAR REALLY IS CHASING YOU, DON'T RUN!!!!!!!!!!!

missbp

I celebrated today by buying 3 new workout shirts, new workout socks and a new water bottle. Yay me!!

WTG! I bet you will look AWESOME running in them!!!

Michelle

slim_photographer

I really enjoyed reading your NSV there, very engaging writing. And very inspirational as well.
Let us know when you do your first marathon.
Keep up the great work.

Pebble321

Isn't it fun when you find out that you CAN do something that always seemed to hard.
I always said I couldn't run. In January for some strange reason I got motivated to start and I've just signed up for a 12k race in August.
Go for it!

LauraMarie37

Great job on your hard work and dedication, but a bit of advice.....IF A BEAR REALLY IS CHASING YOU, DON'T RUN!!!!!!!!!!!

So out of curiousity, what do you do? I've heard bear bells don't really work, and lying down and playing dead will just get you eaten faster!

And great job, OP! I just ran on a treadmill during a gym workout for the first time ever - I usually do other cardio. It was pretty empowering!

McFrench

Thanks everyone. And thanks for the bear advice. I can always count on MFP!! I will pick up some bear Mace ASAP.

Maybe I should revise...

-Unless a pervert is after my child....
-Unless there is a risk I won't get a piece of cake...

But, now that I ran 3.3 miles, there is really nothing stopping me from going 5 miles, or 10. I might become Forest Gump and just keep going.

LorinaLynn

You rock!

I never liked running. Some days I'm still not sure I like running. But I definitely like that it's one of the quickest ways to burn a lot of calories, so I can eat more.

carrielofton

That is awsome. I have never ran either and I have started walking since startng MFP two weeks ago. My goal is to start running by the end of this week and I think your article will help me. Keep doing what your doing.

Pseudocyber

Congratulations to you! I did the same thing - tried running, knees swelled up. Started walking instead. Got up to about 10 miles, then thought, heck I'll try a mile. Then I tried 2. Last night, I just ran my 2nd 5K run - in 39:10!

Congratulations on your weight loss and exercise! Keep it up, or better yet - do more!

wjassell

That is great!!!

cheshirechic

AMAZING! Many congrats

I love it when my body surprises me with what it can do.

alexoftroy

Girly, that is AWESOME! And honestly - that's the only way I can run. I challenge myself, I turn it into a competition. "Just ten more minutes...okay, now ten more..." Keep it up, and congrats!!

glendeb

Thats fantastic! I only run at night - I'm sure people don't want to see me either !

Well done and keep up the awesome work :flowerforyou:

beckyinma

Way to go!!!!