As you may know, I signed up for a half-marathon training program at my local Running Room yesterday.

(The After’s only in there because I looked in the mirror when I was getting dressed post-shower and thought, “hmmm! Thanks run, I’ll take more of these please!” If that’s not motivation to keep going to these training sessions, I don’t know what is. This may be TMI (sorry) but I am excited about this, so TOO BAD!)

The running group went something like this:

I forced myself out of bed and got dressed just in time. Upon leaving my house I discovered my iPod was dead. GREAT. I’ve never run without it! But I soldiered on. I arrived at the store just in time. The manager that I met yesterday while buying my new shoes asked if anyone wasn’t there for orientation on Wednesday, and I raised my hand. “Oh yeah, you’re the girl I met yesterday! Nobody say anything about her shoes today, she just bought new ones so don’t worry!” Dick. (Remember he made fun of me for running in Nike Shox?!)

Anyway, apparently I had missed a pacing run on Wed, so I just told them I normally run 5k in about 35 mins, and they put me in a group. We did 7k today, at about 65% capability. We walked 3 or 4 times during the run, which I wasn’t a fan of, but I’m not going to argue—they know how to train people, not me.

We set off and I couldn’t stop smiling the whole time. I was running, without music, outside, early on Sunday morning. That feeling cannot be beat. I was doing it! (In the past, asthma kept me from doing anything like this—or so I thought). I did the entire 7k and didn’t break a sweat. Not sure if this is because we took a few 1 min walk breaks or it was just too cold outside, or if the pace was too slow for what I need. I’ll stick with this group for the next run and see how it goes.

We did 7km in 49:50. I’m so excited for the next session; a group like this is exactly what I need to reach my potential as a runner. I legit won’t stop running because I don’t want to get judged, and if I were by myself, I’d probably stop way earlier.

So there’s 2 training runs per week. If I can mix in 3 strength training sessions at the gym I’ll be in good shape for the Spartan race I’m running with my friend Geoff in June.

Yay running!