RUN FORREST RUN

Time to blog about my new obsession:  running.

Where this came from, I have no idea.  It basically started as a whim because I noticed some of my Facebook friends posting their workout details with this smartphone app called CardioTrainer.  Me being the techy-curious type, installed the app on my phone to see what its all about.  It basically tracks your run using GPS and a timer so you can tell how far and how fast you've gone.  You can post your results to Facebook and save history to see your progress.

Well, when I first started I could barely get down the block without huffing and puffing.  We're talking less than a 1/4 mile.  Years of smoking and lack of regular cardio exercise really take a toll once you hit your 30's I reckon. I'm surprised my weakened circulatory system was even able to handle a blowjob.  I found that, while painful, I liked running, and my distance that I could run increased fairly rapidly once I started.

I figured out how to load music to my smartphone, and setup a playlist for my CardioTrainer app to play while I ran.  This made things nearly perfect.  I'm a fan of loud music.  I live in a house with a 3rd shifter and 3 kids.  There is no loud music in my house.  So to be able to crank tunes and let off some steam while doing something good for my body was, well, pretty darn awesome.

Little by little I improved.  To challenge myself, I signed up for a 5K race (this one:  http://www.golfforewolfe.com/RWWletter2011.pdf )  That gave me a goal to work towards - I would have to be able to at least * almost * run 3 miles or I'd get sand kicked in my face.  And lo and behold, I did it, after 4 months of hard training.  It was a great feeling.

I didn't stop there.  The weather got colder.  I put on more layers.  At least twice a week I'd run outside.  Survived the winter and the weather started to break.  Visited the doctor for an annual check-up of sorts.  Found out I had lost 14 lbs since last year.  Wasn't even really keeping track of my weight, so it was a pretty wild surprise.  Now that its spring, I'm running 3 times a week or so, tracking my runs on DailyMile.com, and just having a wonderful time.  Hoping to do a few 5K races this summer and increase my endurance even more.

So what is it about running that I like so much?  Its painful and grueling, for sure.  But I've experienced that mythical "runners high" on several occasions.  Sometimes I attribute it to a song.  Or a sunset or view.  Or the British voice on the CardioTrainer when he says something like "2.1 miles. 20 minutes".  Whatever might cause it, its exhilarating.  Some days are better than others, for sure, but I ALWAYS feel better afterwards.  So yeah, my boring "why do I run" blog.  Don't unfollow me please.  :)