About a month ago, I laced up my running shoes for the first time in almost a year. Between the overwhelming nature of my day job and the exhaustion that resulted, my daily workout became a thing of the past. Thanks to my slug status, I gained twenty pounds. Yikes.
The weight isn’t what bothered me (well, maybe a little), but rather the overall sense of feeling worn down and lazy. There’s something wrong when a little afternoon nap turns into three hours on the couch. I was fast becoming a couch potato with no motivation to get up and move.
This state of lethargy just wasn’t me. I’m not a sitter, I’m a runner! And not just a jogger on the sidewalk. I’m a trail runner that loves twists, turns, dirt, and rocks. I’m the person that runs uphill to get to a trail that skirts a small mountain. The climb stretches every muscle and kickstarts my pulse, but the view makes the “burn” worth it. I get to watch the sun set without a roof or lamppost in sight!
Tired of being “not me,” I got up and dug through the closet until I found my running shoes. I slipped them on and it felt like I had reunited with an old friend. To my great surprise, I ran a full mile that day and walked another two. Apparently, my muscles were happy to be back on the trail!
My running shoes.
In the first three weeks, I lost seven pounds and experienced a huge resurgence of energy. It’s amazing how just a little bit of exercise can make such big difference. What’s more, I really enjoy that hour of “quiet time.” It’s just me, the ground, and nothing else. No music, TV, internet, or any other plugged in distraction. While my body feels better, so does my mind.
This week, I hit a milestone of running 1.5 miles and walking 1.5 miles for a total of 3 miles. I’m well on my way to reaching my old standard of running 2.5 miles and walking for 1 mile. With the help of my running shoes, I’ll be there in no time!
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What’s your favorite thing this week?
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c.b.w. 2014
C.B. Wentworth 
Welcome back to the jogging habit 🙂 There is definitely something addictive about having that alone time. Just you and your feet pounding away.
I was exactly the same re. weight – too many years of sitting at a desk, in an office, took a rather heavy toll both physically and mentally. It wasn’t until my office went agile could I finally get my head into gear to get fit again.
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It feels great to get out there and move again. Even though its already starting to heat up for a desert summer, I still look forward to my evening run!
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That’s so awesome! Congrats! I’m dying to get my running shoes back on as well, but I’m waiting to hear about some health issues first. o_o I was doing so awesome with the “Zombies! Run!” app when I first started having problems and I’m positively DYING to get back into it. XD
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Hope all goes well for you. I thought about downloading a running app, but then I remembered I did pretty well the last time I ran. It all comes down to keeping schedule and pushing a little harder every week. 🙂
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I definitely agree…for me the app just adds in a little much-needed fun. I get bored easily, and I don’t do as well when I’m bored, so I tried the “Zombies! Run!” app and got the biggest kick out of it. Whatever works, right? 🙂
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Feels good doesn’t it? moving and reclaiming something that matters to you!
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Ooo, I like the idea of reclaiming something. 🙂 How easy it is to lose something important when we get distracted.
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Good for you. Running shoes are not on my favorite list but perhaps with your post running through my head I can change that. Thank you.
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I started by walking. There are even some days where all I can do is walk, but I still get out there and enjoy the time outside. 🙂
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Key lime pie.
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Mmmmm . . . that sounds good!
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I’m so very happy for you…your success is so inspiring and I relate in a lot of ways…lately afternoon begs me to nap as well…my favorite thing…my new yoga mat arrived this week and I’ve done yoga twice already on it! 🙂 Thank you for sharing your favorites and yourself with us. 🙂
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I did yoga many years ago and I still have my mat. I thought about getting back into it again, but I realized running is more my style. 🙂 Maybe when my knees are done with running, I’ll pull that mat out again.
Have fun on your new mat!
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Even if you have just a few go-to yoga poses that you pull your mat our for 10 minutes even…it’s great stretching/strengthening and very relaxing, (in the mind…for me anyway). It may even cause your knees some extended longevity. 🙂
Ha! Pushing the yoga a little…and I need to take a dose of your running love…I could use some increased energy and loose a little winter weight in the middle etc. 🙂
Smiles to you and happy moving to us both!
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My new Jacket that I won in a competition. The first thing I’ve won that is really good 😀
Jim
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Cool beans! 🙂
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You go, girl! It definitely is easy to get out of the habit with such a busy day job, but I’m glad you’re back into it and enjoying it! It must be awesome jogging in that landscape! (Unfortunately, leaving the road here equals close encounters with swamps and snakes. lol)
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Aside from wanting to stay unplugged for a little while each day, I don’t listen to my iPod so I can listen for rattlesnakes. That is a critter I do not want to run into while on the trail!
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