July 1, 1988. "Just Do It" was introduced to the world by Nike. Well. Twenty-three years later, I'm finally getting around to just doing it. Sort of. In case you haven't heard, the thing I'm "just doing" is running. Sort of. Well, I'm trying, anyway. Today was Day One. I knew I needed to prepare for this so I've been eating more healthy foods, getting more sleep at night, walking a lot, talking to the boyfriend (who is a former professional athlete), etc.
Before I ventured out for My First Run Ever In My Life tonight, I went to Fleet Feet and bought my first pair of "real" running shoes. After measuring my feet while sitting and then again while standing, after asking me to put on a tester pair of shoes and then watching me run up and down a hallway ("Dear God, please don't let me fall... and please please please don't let my ass be jiggling while I'm doing this"), my sales guy (who was wearing those feet shoe things... you know.. the shoes that look like toe socks?) came back with three pair of shoes for me to try. I am now the proud owner of a lovely pair of Asics.
Anyway! I stopped by McDonald's (don't judge me) for my "farewell to fast food" meal then headed home to try out my new running shoes. My boyfriend told me that Jilly would run just fine if I took her out - that it's the walking that makes her go slowly - so I decided to test his theory. He was right!!! She ran great! I, on the other hand, thought I was going to die. Well, okay, it was kind of a progressive thing:
Me during the first 1 minute run: Hey, this kinda feels good!
90 seconds of walking...
Me during the second 1 minute run: Alright! I'm doing it!
90 seconds of walking...
Me during the third 1 minute run: Not feeling so excited... just do it.
90 seconds of walking...
Me during the fourth 1 minute run: This sucks! What was I thinking???
110 seconds of walking...
By my 8th 1 minute run, I was wheezing and saying things like: WHO am I kidding? I'm terrible at this! I can't even run for one minute without feeling like I'm going to die! Crap, crap, crap, crap, craaaaaaaaaaaap!
I came home. I sat on my sofa and I thought about this. The con: I really am BAD at this. I tend to be naturally good at things so being really awful at something I want so much... well, it feels weird and I don't like it. BUT. Why should I quit? I think this should be even more motivation to do it. Why not really try something that I'm NOT naturally good at - now that's a real challenge!! - and see just how far I can go? So that's the plan. One day at a time. My first goal: to learn how to run 30 minutes without stopping. Which leads me to the pro: I'm determined. And, as usual, I've got an amazing support system. Including a sweet, kind, encouraging boyfriend. Who just happens to have legs that look like they belong on a super hero because he runs and bicycles three hours a day.
Before I ventured out for My First Run Ever In My Life tonight, I went to Fleet Feet and bought my first pair of "real" running shoes. After measuring my feet while sitting and then again while standing, after asking me to put on a tester pair of shoes and then watching me run up and down a hallway ("Dear God, please don't let me fall... and please please please don't let my ass be jiggling while I'm doing this"), my sales guy (who was wearing those feet shoe things... you know.. the shoes that look like toe socks?) came back with three pair of shoes for me to try. I am now the proud owner of a lovely pair of Asics.
Anyway! I stopped by McDonald's (don't judge me) for my "farewell to fast food" meal then headed home to try out my new running shoes. My boyfriend told me that Jilly would run just fine if I took her out - that it's the walking that makes her go slowly - so I decided to test his theory. He was right!!! She ran great! I, on the other hand, thought I was going to die. Well, okay, it was kind of a progressive thing:
Me during the first 1 minute run: Hey, this kinda feels good!
90 seconds of walking...
Me during the second 1 minute run: Alright! I'm doing it!
90 seconds of walking...
Me during the third 1 minute run: Not feeling so excited... just do it.
90 seconds of walking...
Me during the fourth 1 minute run: This sucks! What was I thinking???
110 seconds of walking...
By my 8th 1 minute run, I was wheezing and saying things like: WHO am I kidding? I'm terrible at this! I can't even run for one minute without feeling like I'm going to die! Crap, crap, crap, crap, craaaaaaaaaaaap!
I came home. I sat on my sofa and I thought about this. The con: I really am BAD at this. I tend to be naturally good at things so being really awful at something I want so much... well, it feels weird and I don't like it. BUT. Why should I quit? I think this should be even more motivation to do it. Why not really try something that I'm NOT naturally good at - now that's a real challenge!! - and see just how far I can go? So that's the plan. One day at a time. My first goal: to learn how to run 30 minutes without stopping. Which leads me to the pro: I'm determined. And, as usual, I've got an amazing support system. Including a sweet, kind, encouraging boyfriend. Who just happens to have legs that look like they belong on a super hero because he runs and bicycles three hours a day.
