Running

I'm not a runner. I've never been a runner. In middle school when we had to run around the track I would start running, then walk, then maybe run a bit, then walk. I pretty much would run only to guarentee that I wasn't the last person but in the middle of the group. I do admit that I want to be a runner. It's a great way to burn lots of calories but it's also hard. I know people who are runners and they tell me how much they hate running. (not very motivational)

I've started working out each day on my lunch break. We have a gym that is free for me to use in our building. I go around 3 p.m. because usually I'll be there by myself. (side note: I eat my lunch at my desk around noon then workout around 3 p.m. - So Cherie don't worry, I don't starve until 3 p.m.) We have a treadmill that I use the "fat burning" program on. It asks my age, weight, target heart rate, speed I want to go and how long I want to go. Then it changes the incline to keep my heart rate at the set rate. Today was really easy at my faster pace walk I do and I was doing 6% and 7% inclines. After my 30 minutes I thought I'd try running for two minutes. I've read many places that it is good to start at 2 minutes running and gradually increase your time. Well I started to run and I made it the whole two minutes!! I was so proud of myself. I may have felt (and looked) like this:

Instead of like this:

But sometime in the future I'll be more confident in running. I know that it's best to take small steps and I feel that this was a big one for me. I'm going to continue to try running for 2 minutes after each 30 minute brisk walk on the treadmill until I feel confident enough to add another minute. Yeah me!!