Exercise

I have always been very active.

From ballet and horseback riding when I was younger to water polo and springboard diving in high school and college, I've been involved in over fifteen different sports. I was more of a fish, taking to water sports above anything.

One thing I never got into was running. {I even remember faking an ankle injury in seventh grade so I didn't have to run the mile}. I used to tell people that the only reason I would run was if someone was chasing me and they weren't cute.

Well, lately I have been slacking in motivation at the gym so I decide to hit the pavement while on break at work. Sitting inside all day (even though we have large windows) makes me crave sunshine and fresh air.

One of my friends asked if I would join her in a fun, mud run. A 5k through the dirt and mud with obstacles to get over.

Surprisingly, my immediate thought was YES! It sounded so fun, something different and not just running in circles around a track or on a street. So...I agreed.

I started my "training" four days ago (Friday). My friend, Mark, and I started walking/jogging on our break and we ended up going two miles. It was great to have someone push me into jogging a little further and also take time to walk and chat before jogging again. I felt pretty good after the first day.

Saturday, I spent in the gym on the treadmill. I didn't quite make it the two miles like the day before because my muscles were sore and I've decided that being in the gym makes it easy to give up when I get tired. Fortunately, I lifted a tiny bit of weight and made sure to pass out on the ground stretch afterward.

Sunday, I decided to get outside again. I enabled an app on my phone that tracks how long I've run, keeps track of calories burned, and lets me play music. I started out well but by the time it hit a little over a mile, my shins and thighs were screaming! I started back to work and I was thisclose to calling a friend to pick me up and drive me the 1/4 mile back to work. I thought about crawling, but I made it, upright. After letting water pound my legs in a long, hot shower I felt better.

Then, Hallelujah... I was able to get a 30 minute massage!! Normally I just lay down and let the masseuse get to work on the usual kinks in my back, but today I told her how thankful I was that she was here and 

I asked her to massage my legs. She agreed and told me to tell her if it was too hard.

For a moment, it felt like the above picture!

My legs were so sore, but then it became the it hurts so bad but feels good at the same time so I didn't complain. Now, my legs are still sore, but my body feels energized (even at 4am). I am beginning to see why people run, but I doubt that I will keep it up after the run next month. 

{I don't think I've ever seen anyone smiling while they run.}

I'll let you know how my progress is going!

Have you tried anything new lately?