Lifelong Dream: To Be a Runner

Aside from finding great deals online, there are two great things to blogging. The first and best is that through blogging, you get a chance to meet the most amazing people--and from all around the world. Over the last few months, I have met some of the most wonderful women whom, despite the fact that I've never met them in person, I would still call them my "friends." It's been so wonderful having them in my life!

The second thing is that (at least for me) when I blog about something, it becomes a true commitment for me. I think this is true for a few reasons. I get encouragement/praise from other readers and it keeps me motivated to keep going with a task. There's also the feeling of not wanting to let down the readers or come across as a "liar/hypocrite."

So I've been debating posting this all last week. And I'm finally ready to make the committment. :) All of my life, I've wanted to be a runner. It started off in Junior High School when I joined the track team. I signed-up to be a distance runner and ran the mile and the half mile. After several months of practices and a few races, my knees started bothering me and I gave up.

Several years ago, I started running in the country where I used to live. It was the most refreshing feeling to just go out and run and clear my head. My shins started bothering me but I tried to push through. Unfortunately, that year, we had a massive heat wave in July and I just couldn't force myself to continue. I remember running into an old friend at the mall when I running and I was told that I seemed to be "glowing." (I thought only pregnant people were told that!) Running made me feel great!

Part of my past problems have been that I get TOO motivated and I take on too much to start off with. I increase my mileage too much too soon. I also haven't been making sure that I have the proper running shoes for myself. When I was running in the country, I was taking too many rough graveled roads, too.

So this time around, I am going to try to do this thing right! I plan on starting out by getting in shape first. While I am doing that, I am going to find my proper shoes and finish up reading my running books. (My two favorites are The Courage to Start and The Complete Running Book for Women.) (Both discounted on Amazon right now...I just had to get a deal in there!) :)

The reason I am blogging about this today is for a few reasons. I am hoping that there are other readers out there that may also have the urge to run. I'd be more than happy to blog together about our experiences.

I also am hoping that this will get some of you to think about what you've always wanted to do in your life and to start on the journey of accomplishing it.

In the end, I am hoping to sign-up for my first 5K either this fall or in 2010. My thinking right now is that I'd like to do one for charity, possibly the Susan G Komen one in Chicago. Of course, I wouldn't run for placing but for just the thrill of doing it.

Ask the Readers: What's your lifelong dream? Are any of you interested in being a runner, too?