Giving "Carb Loading" a Whole New Meaning...

In this world there are runners and then there's me. I've said for several years that I needed to "get serious" about exercising but I'm always just lip service. A few months ago I decided to put my money where my mouth is and actually do something. What I decided to do is still a bit of a puzzle to me.

I was fed up with myself the day after Christmas when I was looking through all of our family photos and I was counting my chins, so I got on a local website that lists all of the Austin and surrounding area races several months at a glance. I decided (having never run a mile, mind you...) that I would participate in the Capitol 10K at the end of March.

I recruited my sister and her BFF Alyssa and then I began begging Dave. I knew with his classwork that it might not interest him, but he readily agreed. Which is good, because had it not been for those 3 accountability partners I might have backed out!

I went ahead and signed up, but didn't tell many people....just in case.

December 28th was day 1. I started with the couch to 5K program and away we went. I won't lie...I don't like to run. It's hard. I can't breathe. I sweat like a pig. My knees hurt (PS, they only hurt for like 2 weeks and then they stopped). My legs felt like led weights. Did I mention the breathing? Because I felt like my chest was loaded with dynamite and was literally exploding. I'm also a bit ADD so it was boring! BUT, I sweat. I got my heart rate up. And for the first week when I was hard to run from my house to the stop sign (which is about 4 houses...) it began to feel really good when I could run 8 houses...then 12....and it just got a tiny bit easier each time.

I began to doubt myself a few weeks ago when I was hitting my wall around 3 miles. I thought I had bit off more than I could chew with 12 weeks to a 10K. I thought I should have started with a 5K. But this weekend I sucked it up, laced up the shoes and put on my big girl panties... I joined 25,000 of my closest friends in doing the Cap 10K in Austin, TX.

Photo Credit: Kelly West- Austin American Statesman

The actual running on race day was the only thing I did all weekend that a real runner would do. Because the 3 baskets of chips I had the night before probably doesn't count as "carb loading". But who doesn't love a good sunset at the Oasis on Lake Travis?

Below is our race day adventure. I forgot to take any pictures after the 10K, but everyone passed the finish line with flying colors! #WINNING.

PS...I do realize that most of you run a 10K in your sleep and it's part of your daily routine but this was a new adventure for me. I'm thrilled that while I will not lie to you and say I am "a runner" and have been bitten by the running bug, it did feel good to set a goal, work hard and accomplish it. A marathon is STILL not on my bucket list, but I am feeling great and hope to make a 5K and/or 10K part of my yearly routine to keep me working hard for something. And maybe (MAYBE) I might one day do a 1/2 marathon....maybe.