Life - #6 Getting in Shape?

Saturday, June 21, 2008 10:53 AM

My whole family runs. My daughters run both cross country and track, my son runs in soccer and lacrosse, my "college" daughter runs almost every day and instructs step aerobic classes, my husband has run many 5K's and 4 marathons.  Me?  Are you KIDDING?  I've never been a runner.  I hate running. I don't look very feminine (nor do I feel it) when I run.  My mouth gets dry and crusty, my nose runs, I cough and sweat...no, it's not a pretty picture.

Each year, I attend every track meet and cross country meet, most soccer and lacrosse games and as many of the kids functions as I can. I cheer them on and cajole them into running when it's 95 degrees, all the while telling them, it's not that bad, you have to do it...well, it's time to pay the piper.  I know I need to get healthier and to do that, I need to exercise...the family finally guilted me into it...so, on Thursday night, I ran.

I ran my first 5K. For those of you who don't know, it's a little over 3 miles of sheer torture...errr...I mean joyous exercise. I finished it. If you ask me what my time is - which everyone does, my comment will never change. The response is that it didn't take as long as I am old and that was my goal! Trust me when I tell you that after mile 2, I did a bit of walking. My husband (kind soul) held my hand during much of the last mile encouraging me. He even said it was sexy when I sweat and spit. Ewww...but hey, if he likes it, I'll do it more! The best feeling during the entire run was when my daughters coaches and teammates (who finished in half the time I did) had placed themselves at alternate locations during the last mile and all cheered for me as I "ran" past them...I could hear them all shouting, "Come on mom, you can do it!  Great job!" Most of the kids don't even know my name, but they remember me all year long supporting them and encouraging their efforts. I was so proud of them.  Now, I'm proud of myself too.  I did it. It wasn't pretty, but I did it.

uh oh...I hear them calling.  I can't even walk down the stairs today and they want me to run again...tell me again why I want to be in shape and healthy?  Oh well, at least I look sexy when I sweat and spit!

Gotta run for now...

Babe