I started running in April of 2007. After walking around in a state of exhaustion for 12 years, I suddenly felt like Rip Van Winkle; I had awoken from a long sleep and I had more energy than I could expend! So, I began running.
I’ve always wanted to run but never felt “fit” enough to do it. I like to do things well and I knew prior to my new-found energy I could never have maintained a regular training schedule.
I began running in the privacy of a wooded park in one minute intervals. I was a hundred pounds overweight. By November of that same year I was running a full 60 minutes which was about 5 miles and I’d lost 50 pounds. I’d moved locations from the small local park to a larger state park and my dog was having a hard time keeping up with me.
I love to run in the woods on the trails but I had to take some time off last November from a serious fall and I went down again last week, keeping me from running while an ankle injury healed. While increasing my speed, the sticks, roots, rocks, downed trees and most recently, horse poop make for a challenging obstacle course. I’ll be starting to run on pavement to decrease my chances of injury and increase my time. My first runs in public! A new path is being constructed near my home and I can’t wait to try it!
I have found that I love running for more than its fitness attributes. It’s the time I spend thinking, uninterrupted, for up to an hour. It’s a form of meditation that allows me to resolve all kinds of personal conflicts and set goals to achieve. It’s incredibly motivating and gives me a sense of accomplishment that no other area of my life has been able to offer.
In my Running Commentary posts I’ll share my thoughts, triumphs, philosophical ramblings and music playlists that accompany me on my runs.
Inspirational and impressive! Keep up the good work:)