Day One, Take Two

Despite the fact that my first attempt did not go as planned, today’s attempt was met with success! Yes, I did it. I got up and went to The Lake and ran!

Because we are sadomasochists, The Man and I woke up at five minutes after six this morning (did I mention that today is SATURDAY? and that not even my children were awake yet?). The truth is, we were just so damn excited to start running that we just couldn’t wait. And I’m totally lying. Really, though, we’re used to getting up early on the weekdays, so on the weekends, our bodies totally ignore that we can sleep in. And generally, once I’m awake… I’m awake. Sucks, but there it is.

Anyway, we did lounge about in bed for a bit, til we heard the offspring stirring, then we got up and got ready to do our thing. I had a spot of breakfast, just a few bites, because I can’t work out on a totally empty stomach. Then we headed out the door.

It’s been really cloudy here the past few weeks (that whole June gloom that So Cal gets) and the it was fairly cool. A little tiny drizzle. A sweet smelling breeze.

Perfect, I thought.

The Lake was just beautiful. There weren’t that many people there; I guess we sadomasochists are in short supply. Makes for good parking and virtually empty running trail.

We stretched, and without any real fanfare, The Man marked our time and off we went.

Ok, this is the part where I’m supposed to tell you how awesome it felt, how good it was, how happy I was. Yeah, and I would be lying. I wasn’t kidding when I said I hated exercising, I do, I really really do. Lungs burn, muscles cry out it in protest, whole body says to me, Lady, what are you DOING to us? kind of thing. My breathing was labored, I sweat like a psycho, my face gets all red, my body goes through this awful I-wanna-shut-down-now feeling, and my legs itch like crazy from my long unused capillaries popping open.

That wasn’t how it started, of course, but about five minutes into it, and it only got harder.

HOWEVER. I know from past experience that it starts out this way, which is why so many people quit (myself included) but if one persists, it gets easier with time and effort. My body is not used to this kind of activity. Sedentary existence, remember? I used to be quite active, back in the day.

The part I love about exercise, though, and you can’t get this from anything else, is the charge you feel AFTER (ok, after I stop gulping for air and can talk again). That groovy, almost high, feeling. It’s both physical and mental, and there’s nothing else like it, and LOOOOVE it.

I am so happy we did this. I mean, I may not love doing it, but I love that we ARE doing it. I’m especially glad that The Man is doing it with me, it makes it so much easier to get out there and do it, and he’s really the best cheerleader ever.

I hope that after my body gets used to running, it stops being so hard and starts being something that I really like, enjoy, and… dare I say it… love.

Hope springs eternal!

Peace.