I haven't forgotten!

I finally bought new sneakers tonight. I was wearing a pair of $10 clearance Kmart sneakers for the last 6 months or so...definitely not good for running (or anything else, really). The pair of New Balance I really want are $145 (OUCH!) and I just can't swing that. There used to be a running store in New Paltz - they fitted me for my last pairs of running shoes - but they closed a couple years ago. I was going to go to Road Runner, but decided to check out Kohls. I found a pair of Avia for $35. Avia and New Balance are the only brands I buy since I have wide feet.

Now...to get back into running. I know I can do it, I've done it before. I just need to find the motivation. I want to be well into it by the time fall comes around, since I will be at school 2 days a week. I can use the gym there for free and I have a free gym at work. Who knows, I might even learn to love running outdoors! :)

Oops.

So...I completely forgot that I had this blog and, needless to say, haven't updated it in over a year. I'm planning on starting the Couch to 5K program again soon. I had minor surgery a few weeks ago and while I feel fine, I tried to do too much too soon and ended up pulling a muscle in my abdomen, which sent me to the doctor and then the hospital for x-rays. Not fun. I'm going to give myself a couple weeks to fully recover and then hopefully hit the gym and the trails again. I'm not getting any younger...I need to do this. I've bookmarked this blog so I'll be back in a few weeks!
Stay tuned!

One month later...

OK, so I haven't exactly been as dedicated as I was hoping. 4 weeks later I'm still on week 3 of the Couch to 5K. But that's alright, slow and steady wins the race, right? I've been going to the gym and hitting the treadmill almost every day (well, at least 5 days a week). I missed yesterday since I didn't go to work, and today I only walked (but walked 2.6 miles). Tomorrow I'm planning on getting up early and hitting the local rail trail. I've already lost a few pounds and I just feel better! :)

I've gotta start somewhere...

OK...so I've decided to start the Couch to 5K program (again) tomorrow. I'm at my heaviest weight ever and I'm sick of being tired and achy all the time. I'm sick of having to buy my clothes in plus-size stores (which if you don't know, don't have much of a selection and are usually limited to either hoochie outfits or senior citizen clothes). I'm sick of worrying about what people think of me (which I know I shouldn't care, but I do). I want to be fit, I want to be healthy, I want to wear a bathing suit without a skirt on it!

I'm going to start tomorrow, and it may take me longer than the 8-9 weeks it's supposed to. I don't care how long it takes, I'm going to finish it this time, and maybe even actually run a 5K! Hopefully, I will learn to love running and it will become a habit. I've got nothing to lose - except for all this excess weight!

If you're wondering "What the heck is the Couch to 5K program?", it's a program that builds up your endurance so you can learn to run. You start by alternating 60 seconds running and 90 seconds walking and at the end of the program, you'll be running for 30 minutes straight. I find it hard to imagine that I'll ever be able to do that, but I have faith! Check out my links for more Couch to 5K info.