Motivated

I don't know how or when it happened, but I found my mojo. I think it was the warm weather after a long and cold winter. As soon as that sunshine started sticking around, I felt the need to get my booty in motion. I started taking some walks with Fletch. The walks got longer and then I felt the urge to run. I tried running with him in our regular stroller. Running + glorified umbrella stroller = AWKWARD! I looked on Craigslist and found that quite a few people were getting rid of jogging strollers. Thanks to my fairy godmother, $45 dollars later I was the proud owner of a used jogging stroller. It's no Cadillac, with it's bulky frame and squeaky wheels, but it works for now. It has a fixed front wheel so I had to get used to steering it, but I've got the hang of it now. It is much easier to run with the new set of wheels. I also had to spring for a new pair of running shoes. I went to get professionally fitted again and this time I was surprised to find a pair of Nikes' the winner. They are so comfy and have great support for my bad feet.

I really wanted to start off on the right foot (pun intended), so I would not give up on running. I decided to try the Couch to 5K program. It is an eight week program designed to help you build up your endurance to run a 5K (or about 3 miles). I tend to start out of the gate way to fast and end up hurting myself or burning out. This program is starting me out slowly and building up. At the end, I should be able to run for 30 minutes or 3 miles straight. Hopefully after that I will still be motivated enough to build up to a 10K.  So far so good. I run three days a week and on the days I do not run, I take long walks. Yesterday I walked 5 miles around Burke Lake. It was a really long walk, but the trail was gorgeous and shaded almost the entire walk. There is a children's park, train and carousel at Burke Lake. I'm sure we will be back more this summer, for me to walk and Fletch to play.

I am hoping this becomes a way of life and not a trend. I would like to be fit for myself and my family. I want to lead a good example so that my children will not lock themselves indoors playing video games. I know it is easier for me to find time for exercise now that I am home with Fletch and going to school part time. However, I think that once I make this a regular routine I will learn to find time even when I start working. The next thing I would like to do is get a child carrier for my bike, so we can go riding as a family. This area has amazing trails and I would love to get back on my bike. Atom and I did some biking a few years ago and we had a blast. I think it would be even more fun as a family.

I dont' know what I'm going to do when it gets cold, but I'll just have to cross that bridge when I get there.