under my feet nearly enough this winter. I spent so much time and effort building up a running practice last year from April all the way until the end of November. I even ran my first races...two different 5k's which I found to be exhilarating experiences!
It wasn't easy...I never was a runner and could never get past that first mile. I started with alternating 3 minutes of jogging with several minutes of walking early last Spring. It wasn't pretty, but I'd make myself go for 45-minutes...even though I couldn't run half of that at the time.
I just kept at it...and then I got the best advice yet on how to approach my cardio, "The first 5 minutes are going to suck. Know that & do whatever you can to make it fun," advised my friend who frequents our Wellness Studios who is also a doctor (Dr. Margaret Millar). She encouraged me to keep at it...to get past those first 5-10 minutes, and to make it FUN!
Hello, technology! It hadn't occurred to me before, but once she filled me in on these simple pointers I loaded my iPhone with all kinds of crazy club music (which I don't normally listen to at ALL), invested in some good supportive shoes from the experts at Running Wild, and accepted the "suck" of the first 5 minutes. And then...magic! I love the stress-relief and weight-management that comes from a dedicated practice. It doesn't hurt a bit that it makes my husband notice my legs.
But, OH MY GOD it has been a crazy winter. December hit and those running shoes haven't been on my feet once (well, maybe a couple of times but it wasn't to actually RUN, sadly.) I can't even blame the weather...especially since I love the cold & snow! Between purchasing a 2nd business, battling the flu season with 3 kids, the holidays, and a mile-long list that even bores ME (so I'll spare YOU), this mama has lost her steam (and found her beer belly.)
Well, guess what? Screw YOU crazy/busy schedule! I'm getting my ass back in the saddle..er, running tights and I'm going to burn off that stress. It's gonna suck for more than a minute, but not nearly as badly as it sucks to feel defeated & pudgy. Help me out, Carole King...mama's finding her groove today!
Happy trails, friends!
~IndigoGrrl