Today I felt like a runner for the very first time...

Evidently, today those running gods - or goddesses - were smiling on me because it was my "oh, I get it now!" moment. How totally freakin' cool!!!

To begin with, I was laboring under tremendous worry and guilt because I hadn't run, or done any exercise, since Saturday. A couple days of severe thunderstorm weather and a couple days of work/social obligations bogged me down and I was feeling very concerned that what little ground I'd gained in terms of running would be diminished. Also, after being a slacker for the last few days, and despite my guilt, I had a hard time motivating myself today - but I dragged butt out to the trail and the adventure began...

The weather was so how I love it - high 50's to low 60's and cloudy with a little sun coming through now and again. Now, usually I have started out with a brisk walk for 5 minutes, then stretching, then begin the 4 min:1 min running/walking sequence. But I was thinking the last few times that I just didn't feel warmed up from the walking and then my first few (or more) run/walk reps were a struggle. Today I started right out running for 5 minutes, then stopped and did stretches, then launched into 5 min:1 min run/walk x 6. I don't know if it was that, or all the rest days, or just a smiling universe but I just felt in synch. It wasn't that I didn't get tired, or breath hard, or have to push myself a few times - but I didn't have to struggle and that is something new. There were a couple of times that I was really aware of my body and that my arms seemed to be moving fluidly, and my head was positioned just so my neck didn't feel strained, and my breathing was hard but not labored or gasping - and that was all happening on its own, like I played no conscious part in it and it was the most natural thing in the world. I just thought - God, I'm really running! And I like it!! Now, my next run(s) may or may not be so lovely and I'm cool with that. Each time can't be wine and roses, I know, but I'm hoping I've crossed a threshold at which I have a better sense of why I'm doing what I'm doing, a better sense of what I can be, and something to recall until the next time. And maybe a reason why I can begin to say things like "I run" or "I'm a runner" (even if only to myself) and believe it.

New Toys...

Timex Ironman watch - I got the low end one but it's got features for laps and splits and intervals and the like. I used it for the first time today and set it for my 5:1 run/walk intervals. Not feeling compelled to glance at my watch was psychologically amazing! All I had to do was run - not think or worry or wish about the time. I just concentrated on the running until the lovely musical chime told me otherwise.

Pedometer - This is cool because the trail I run on is very poorly marked for mileage. My interest in my distance is minimal right now but it is nice to have a sense of how far my efforts have taken me by that measurement. I had clocked part of the trail in my car for as long as it runs along the road and from my estimation, the distance logged by the pedometer is fairly accurate.

In conclusion...

Hooray!! What an awesome day!