Where I am Now

The thought that running can be a positive thing is new to me. Throughout my life running has been more likely to conjure thoughts of torture, pain, and masochism (see dictionary.com's 3rd definition, not 1st! lol) than excitement, joy, and satisfaction. I'm the type of person, as are a lot of people, that gets excited about getting in shape, goes to the gym, works harder than I thought I could, then never goes back because I overdid it. So, naturally, the thought of running would also have similar negative connotations. So when I decided that I would run the Long Beach marathon the first thing I decided to do was to discredit my lifelong thoughts and ideas and replace them with reality and positivity. Research ensued.

I reached out to somebody who's running experience I trusted and who had overcome many of the same issues I am currently dealing with, my dad. The first piece of good advice he gave me was to get a John Galloway book called Galloway on Running. The part that I honed in on was the short section on "Getting Started."

The gist of this section was, in my words, "Get started. Walk slow, then walk fast. Add a little running, then add a little more. Just get started." Right now I am in the "add a little running" phase. I walk for four minutes, then run for two. I have even made a playlist on my phone of 6 four minute songs with Requiem for a Tower by Escala in between (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxTV4y9tD6s). I dare you to listen to that song and tell me you aren't amped up and ready to run! I read about running, I talk to friends and family about it, I set goals, I eat healthy, I started this blog, and more, all as a source of motivation. Not only that, but I know very well that there will be hurdles and times I want to quit, so I figure the more sources of motivation I have now the more nets I have to catch me when I fall. Encouragement and advice from those running behind me, beside me, or well out in front of me has been the greatest motivation surge I have received so far.

Already in my short journey I have dealt with, or at least started to deal with, a couple hurdles. The first was cutting my runs short because of shin splints. The second was purely not wanting to run. Not to mention of course, the fact that I have a ruptured ACL, which does still hurt. I start physical therapy on it tomorrow though, so I'm pumped about that!

As of right now I'm excited because thus far I have been going out alone, but tonight I'll be joining a couple friends. I just hope this is a trend in the making. The idea of going this alone seems like it would be as fruitless as desert sands during periods of endless drought.

Next week, or whenever my body says it's ok, I'll start walking for four minutes and running for three.