The ride, not the destination

I suppose I'm getting all metaphorical. It's something I learned yesterday and it has nothing to do with running. You need to enjoy the ride, no matter how painful or joyful it is because the final destination might be different from what you originally had planned. Alright enough of me waxing philosophical.

I ran in the snow today and, yes, it can be done. I think you have to do it when it's stil snow and not ice. Tomorrow morning should be much more interesting. The sun, in spite of the freezing temperature, is melting the white stuff on the ground - dangerous omen for tomorrow.

I am getting better, faster and stronger. It's only been 4 weeks but I can feel it. What I love is that no matter what is happening around me in my life, I have this and it is doing me good. I am remembering how much I once loved it and how much I love it now.

If you can get through the 1st 2 or 3 weeks, I guarantee you, you'll be fine and you'll keep going. Once you begin to see progress, you're hooked.

Don't look too far ahead, you'll trip on something.

the cold snap

You really can't let it stop you, even if your cheeks look like you've been in the sun for 7 hrs straight and you have only been out for 35 mins. I actually walked/ran in the snow on Friday without incident. In any other mind frame I would have said, uh uh I'm not going out in weather that will crack my skin and make my nose run like a leaky faucet.

I'm in a good place right now and you have to find that place before you can commit. Committing to something is not my strong suit. I'm a Libra. I need to weigh all the angles. But I think I'm ready and it's never too late. Neither rain nor snow nor sleet nor freezing weather...

It's never too late...

I have lost something. I'm not exactly sure what it is but I know I didn't always feel this...sedated. But you know what? It's never too late to get it back.
-American Beauty

The Beginning

Ten years ago, almost to the day, I started walking on a daily basis. After a number of weeks - not many, maybe 6 - I began to run intermittantly during my walks - to a lampost, to the gazebo ahead, to the Main Street beach. Next thing I knew I was running more than I was walking and soon I wasn't walking at all. I was running back and forth on the boardwalk, past people who would laugh and say "you again?" Then I took off my training wheels and started "out on the road," running to the next town and back. I got up my courage and registered for one of the local road races. I finished 5 miles in 46 minutes.

A few years later, that unforgiving entity called life happened and I lost something very essential - my confidence. This blog is going to be the start of that journey back to the top of the hill I loved so much. The journey is not going to be easy. I am completely and utterly overweight and out of shape but you must start somewhere.

I am an ESL teacher now and one of my favorite read aloud books is The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper. Unlike my 1st inexplicable turn as a walker turned runner, I am going to be a walker with purpose and I will take my mantra from that sweet blue little engine- "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can..."