One Step At A Time

That is what I keep saying to myself when I run.  One step at a time.  Left foot.  Right foot.  Left foot.  Right... I am sure you get the picture.

Source
Yeah sorta like that but not really as fast

Running has never been something I have excelled at.  Which with a desire to be an attacker in sports such as hockey and soccer never really worked in my favour.  Even now I can clearly recall chilly Saturday mornings gasping for breath as I chased after some silly ball trying to get it between the posts and in the nets.  As much as I loved playing and scoring I couldn't quite get my head around all the running that it entailed.

Soon after that I discovered that sleeping in on a Saturday was also a bit fun and not nearly as much hard work.  It also came with the added bonus of blankets which in the middle of our tropical winter was still more appealing than actually running in the cold morning air.

Over the years however I have always been slightly envious of those crazy people that seem to enjoy running along the beautiful foreshores that I live near.  I would sit on the bench and watch them stream by.  One step at a time, pounding along the pavement as they went.

Watching the beads of perspiration gather and run down their hot red faces there was a part of me that wished I too could run but alas there was always a reason for it not to be the case.  Then I started to hear of ways in which any Tom, Dick or Harry could become a runner.  In fact there was a whole program specifically geared at getting people off the couch and out for a run.

When I first looked into it, well over twelve months ago now, I felt inspired and certain I was up for the challenge.  After seeing the first week only involved the odd 30 second run here and there I was such failure was not an option.  After all running, or even jogging, for 30 seconds couldn't be that hard could it?

Ah yep.

It was.

I didn't even finish the first week.  The whole timing how long I walk/run was not easy and worsened by the fact I was unable to source any motivation or inspiration to drive me.  Perhaps running wasn't for me after all and I would just have to find another way to get fit.  Apparently just purchasing a gym membership isn't the right way to go about it either.

Fast forward to six weeks ago.

I am now the proud owner of a magic iDevice which enables me to download a beaut little app that will apparently ease me into 5km.  While I may not have actually made the magic 5km mark yet I no longer doubt whether I will.  I now know that it will only be a matter of time before I can proudly say I can run for a full 5km or at least thirty minutes.  Though by all accounts the two should be nearly one and the same.

At this stage I am halfway through week five.  There are a total of eight weeks in the program.  It takes a commitment of thirty minutes three times a week.  I am trying to get out there every other day.  For the most part I have managed this though due to the trials and tribulations that is children there have been a few times when it has been two or three days between runs.  One step at a time and all in good time.

Already I am feeling stronger and fitter each time I get out there.  I am genuinely excited to think in around a month I should be able to run for a full thirty minutes.  Sure there have been times when I have been left gasping for breath and wondering why I am putting myself through this but then a little voice calls out mum and I quickly remember.

I want to be a fit and healthy role model for three very special girls.  It is with that in mind that I will keep making the time to make running matter