I was run-ning

I've never been physically active in my life. I have always secretly considered taking up jogging/running.

Some friends here in Chicago decided to start up a couch-to-5k program together. I signed up. We started off in theory as a group of 6. The first day 4 people showed up, the second day 2 people- counting me- (we're meeting at 5am, and everyone had legitimate reasons.) Then, yesterday I was planning to meet friends and run at 8am, but my husband picked up an extra work shift. Saturday evening we ended up at my in-law's, and this morning (Sunday) it was hard enough to wake up and get everyone out the door for church! I figured I would run in the afternoon, but my husband again had to go to my in-laws (he's doing some work there) and I had the two littlest with me (he took Abby along.)

Welp, we had our Sunday nap ritual, and the three of us woke up at dusk. I called my husband to see how much longer he'd be gone, and he told me another couple hours.

The program is dependent upon running 3 days a week.

I did not want to fall behind, for fear that I would fall off the wagon completely.

So, I did what every normal person would do- I got us all ready, got out the stroller (thankfully I have one I can jog behind) and hit the pavement.

I jogged up to the playground, and let Danny run around and climb for a bit- then I picked him up some nuggets and apples from McDonalds (I only got a water!) and we made the trek home- with jogging/walking intervals again.

At some point on the way home, Daniel looked up and me with a huge grin. I think he enjoyed riding at my top speed. I realized a couple things:

(1) I feel a lot more confident running while pushing a stroller- at least everyone can see my reason for being overweight!
(2) I am not running for myself. I wanted to carve out some 'me-time' by jogging at five am, but let's face it, I'm not running for me.

I'm running for them.

And it's a good thing- because I'm not motivated enough to do it for me!

My momma died @ age 40, that's just about 8 years ahead of where I am. We were NOT a healthy family. I'm so thankful I married a man that cares about my health/well-being. My pastor often preaches about building our families with 'new bricks.' We can take the 'good bricks' from our up-bringing, and believe me there are many. But we must toss out the bad bricks and replace them with new, good bricks to have a strong foundation. I am tossing out over-eating, inactivity, and disregard for my health. Bye-bye bad bricks.

...More to come on this topic- stay tuned!