Christmas 2008 this photo was taken, I cant believe it's nearly a year ago - I had decided I wanted to teach myself how to run, after hating it for all my life. I looked through all the books about running on amazon, I found this one for women over 40... I was way over 40, heading towards my 50's.( such a scary thought )When Heinz asked what I wanted for Christmas I told hubby that this book was ONE of the gifts I wanted. He couldn't understand why a book on running as I had never shown any interest in running since we met.
My weight at Christmas was 78kg's..( 178lbs ) at this stage I had managed to drop 4kg's (8.8lbs) with watching what I was eating, a few crash diets,( which I don't recommend ) and going to gym.
I read the book, put it next to my bed and there it lay for another 2 months before I picked it up again...In February I found the * Beginner's guide to becoming a 30 minute runner * and started thinking about adding running to my walking on the treadmill...As a dancer I have hated running for as long as I can remember...the only one 5kl fun run I ever took part in as an instructor,( to impress a guy ), I found so tough and struggled to get through it...it was a nightmare which only made me hate it even more. I told myself that my body was not designed to run...I was a dancer, and dancers don't run!!
I remember the excitement when I managed one minute of running...and 4 mins of walking in between...I puffed and panted till the next time and tried again...my first whole 5 minute run...then the 10 minute one...oh my word, I ran for 30 minutes without stopping, do you know what a victory that was for me...at the age of 47 I was running, I could run...and I was enjoying it...The furthest I've run to date is 14kl...ran it in over an hour and I never stopped once!!
No big deal for many out there, but if you knew me and knew the state I found my body in when I started - you too would be doing the victory dance with me...
I love running now, I can't wait to get to gym ( during the cold days ) and hit the treadmill and run...music pumping in my ears motivating me along the way...the sweat that pours off me, such a good feeling...after a run I feel alive and ready to start my day...
IF I CAN RUN THEN ANYONE CAN RUN...
