The Starting Line

We all have to start somewhere.  A few months ago some fabulous ladies I ran with while in college had this grand idea that we would all meet up once again and run a race together, a reunion race.  I was so excited at the thoughts of seeing them again (after 5 and 6 years) that I said "Sure!" before I remembered that I quit running a year ago.  Before I thought to reflect on all the pain that running impresses on my non-runner body type.  Swell.

So here I go.  I started my training this week and decided to start this blog (my very first blog) to help encourage me along the path to the Secret City Half Marathon on November 20, 2011 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.  My birthday is on November 22, so this will be a Happy Birthday present to myself, an accomplishment and feat that so long as I finish, I will be proud to have conquered.  And ecstatic to see the Tennessee Running Chics again! (That's for another post.)

I'll start with a couple of emails I sent to my pseudo-sister and fellow running chic, Dana, this week:

Tuesday, August 9th
"So, I have a confession.  That training schedule you made me, I never opened it because I figured I'd wait til I was ready to start training.  ....And I just opened it and dropped my jaw.  I forgot how hard training is!  But no worries, it is now printed and posted promptly on the wall of my office.  One step at a time, here I go...."

Wednesday, August 10th
"I did cross training Monday (a Jillian Michaels CD that made me want to cry), ran 3 yesterday, could hardly walk this morning, and plan to swim tonight.  I plan to run 4 tomorrow.  For the first time.... in about a year I think!"

And guess what.  Today I ran 5!  Woohoo!  Five and a quarter actually, or somewhere between five and a quarter and five and a half.  It took me 55 minutes but I took 2 minutes to stop and try to figure out the mile markers on the trail map.  I ran on the Creeper Trail, which is so beautiful and I can hop on it right outside my office door.  I realized while running today that I had forgotten how wonderful running can be for your mind.  And how hard it can be on the knees.

Remember these guys?

That's what my left knee felt like today.  Just swing'n baaaack and forth, baaaack and forth, like it was hanging on a hing.  I myself felt more like this guy:

Regardless of how I looked, I'd call it a successful day.  Five miles for the first time in a year ain't so bad.  I may have more to say about that tomorrow, however.