Girl on the walk....

So uhhhh, yeah. It's been a long time. I'm glad blogger didn't suspend my account for lack of use.

Anyway, Jac is back... again. It's been a rough winter/spring. I really didn't think I would run anymore. I started this job where I had to do some pretty heavy lifting and it really did a number on my back. My company also let my gym membership expire and I'm too broke to renew it right now. I know, excuses excuses.

So anyway, I'm sick of the lack of activity and the fact that I'm probably at my heaviest weight ever and that summer is at my front door. I miss running and I miss the races. I also joined a 6 month biggest loser session with my girlfriend that I've known since I was a baby. I'm not a very good supporter of diets since I am a lover of food but I think she's looking at this as more of a competition so that will work. We actually started 2 weeks ago but I've had a lot going on, trying to finish up school so we can get summer vacation started already and starting a new restaurant job where my job requirement entails that I try all the beers and food on the menu.

Whatever, this is about my run today. I woke up feeling all crooked. My back hurts a lot but running really never hurt my back so that wasn't going to stop me today. After 1/2 a luna bar, some water and updating everyone on FB that I was heading back out, I got dressed, stretched, turned up my tunes and off I went. I started out cautiously. I decided that even if I had to walk the entire time, I wouldn't go less than 3 miles this morning. After a few steps, I thought I would see what would happen if I ran. I tried to run slowly but I really don't think I have it in me to run slow. Running and slow apparently don't go together in my brain. So I ran for 1/4 of a mile and when I got to the stop sign, my chest was burning. I was breathing heavy. I couldn't believe it. I was a beginner again. I remember the first time I ever ran this route and I remember that horrible defeating sensation.

I decided I would most likely walk the rest of the "run". Hey, maybe I was going to be a walker now. I've heard all kinds of good things about walking. I don't believe them, but I heard them. Could I be a walker at races? I don't know. I really don't want to give up races. I speed-walked for about a mile before I finally caught my breath completely and then as I was approaching a friend's house, I decided that just in case they were looking out their window at that exact moment, I would run instead of walk. I could almost imagine them cheering me on and that motivated me to run as long as I could. I don't think it was that long though because I was walking again as soon as my chest started burning. After about 2 miles of walking running, I was feeling really good. I think I must have finally been warmed up. I don't think that I've ever gone on a run like this where I let my body dictate my pace. It was good for me.

I know it's important to push ourselves to improve but I basically had to look at myself as a beginner again today and I knew that even if I walked most of those 3.6 miles, it was better than no activity at all. Also, it felt so good that I knew I would be more inclined to do this on a regular basis again. Patience is not one of my best attributes and in the case of running, I have always compared myself to faster runners and so I push myself harder than I am ready for sometimes and in the end, instead of feeling proud of my accomplishment, I'm discouraged. So I will say today was a very good run. It felt amazing to be back out there.

Last year I talked some friends into doing the Ohio City Race with me and that was their first 5K. Yesterday, one of those friends asked me if I was going to do it with her this year again. I hadn't been thinking about doing any more races this year but she got me thinking. That race is less than a month away but now I have something to look forward to and to keep me motivated.

Looks like girl on run is back.