Running, Part 2

I'm on my second week of running. I don't go everyday, so this actually means that I've run all of four times. Two weeks sounds much more impressive, however.

I talked to two friends about how to get started because I'm a woman who likes a plan. One friend told me that her dad always said to walk a quarter, run a quarter, etc. for two miles. Do this for one week and then drop a quarter of walking each week until you are running the whole thing. The other friend referred me to a great website which recommended walking/running a certain number of minutes until you are only running.

When I set out last week for day number two, I realized that I had made it into town with no watch, so I drove out two miles to get going on the quarter plan. I ran my first quarter and thought there is no way on this side of heaven that I am going to EVER be able to drop a quarter of walking. I was going to be lucky to be able to get back to my car.

This morning, however, on day #4, I ran my first quarter and realized I wasn't dying. I kept going and pushed myself to complete another quarter. The plan was working! By the time I finished that quarter I was throwing myself a party. I had the cake ordered and half the guest list written when I realized something: That wasn't the plan. Dropping the middle quarter of walking meant I was still supposed to be running. Seriously? No way, not if I wanted to be alive to see my kids' next birthdays.

I chose that moment to decide that I'm sure the amount of minutes I had run was EXACTLY the plan that the website would have laid out for me.