Slow and Steady

I have been desperately wanting/ needing to get back on my treadmill and work off some stress as well as the 20 pounds I have packed on in the last 2 years. However, I know myself pretty darn well and in order to get something done I need to have an incentive.

Actually, we all do.

I don't know many kindergartners who would willingly lay down for a half hour if they did not know they were going to get a cookie at snack time immediately thereafter. Men and women put up with bratty co-workers and snooty bosses all for the glory of their 1-2 weeks of paid vacation every year. For me, my incentives are relatively small, but still effective.

You see, I have this little deal with myself. If I get on the treadmill and run my 3 miles I get to take a glorious shower complete with warm water, soap, shampoo and conditioner. If I don't then I kiss the glorious shower goodbye until the next day or whenever I get my lazy butt back on that treadmill. In addition I decided if I had a tangible goal that directly aligned with my goal to run daily then that would only further motivate me. So, I signed up for my very first 5K that was held on August 22nd at River Valley Ranch in Manchester, Maryland.

Striking a pose before the big race.

My only goal had been to make it across the finish line in the vertical position. As opposed to being carried over it horizontally on a stretcher. As it turns out, I did much better than I had expected. I ran the 3.22 miles in 34 minutes 03 seconds. That was over 4 minutes FASTER than my best time I had ever run on my treadmill at home. I was especially impressed with myself given the hot, muggy temperature that morning.

The covered bridge is only 50 yards from the finish line so I was all smiles by this time. Plus, I could see the time clock next to the finish line and I was psyched!

The race featured chip timing which is great because it gives each runner
their exact race time.

I had such a great time that I signed up for another 5k being held on September 26th at St. Joseph's Hospital in Towson. This race is in support of Prostate Cancer research. Given my dad's diagnosis of prostate cancer just last year I feel very happy to be contributing in some way. I figure after that race I may try to do one per month.

So, it seems that something that started as a goal to get some more exercise has turned into a fun , stress-relieving, butt-kicking good time. When I was recently in a local running store I was talking to one of the employees about my new-found love of running and she commented that she found running to be rather 'addictive'. It has to do with the endorphins that are released in your brain after a good, hard run. We all love endorphins. Endorphins are those feel-good warm fuzzies we get when we fall in love, eat chocolate, or make love. They have a way of making everything in your world seem pretty darn good. Even if only for an hour.

So, the way I figure it...I'm striving for a good, hard run everyday so I can be the best mom, fiancee, ex-wife, friend, daughter, and sister I can be.