My Magic Shoes

Running. I pretty much hate it. A lot. But it's good for me. The last time I ran consistently was after college, and I ran first thing in the morning with a mentor of mine. After only a couple of months, I was in the best shape of my life... and then I got a radio job and had to be at work at 5 a.m. That ended that.

After hibernating all winter and abusing my body to the tune of 12 pounds with chocolate chip cookies, the sun came out for a bit and I realized that I really needed to do something about my lack of fitness. There is a gym a five minutes' walk away, but to work out there costs more money than we are willing to spend (which is none). There are some gorgeous paths and trails around Durham, so I thought I'd give running a go again.

My friend Ashley was patient with my beginning status, and I actually made some great progress after only a couple of weeks despite the fact that my shoes were a half size too small (they were on sale when Copeland's went out of business in SLO) and my clothes too cottony. 

In perfect timing, my very generous Uncle Bob and Aunt Deanie gave me some spending money for some running paraphernalia for my birthday. With their gift I was able to get these babies on super sale, AND I found some dri-fit running clothes at T.K.Maxx (yes, you read that right). 

I got a free pair of socks!

Hm. That's not a very flattering pose.

That's better. But the mirror is so dirty!

I just dusted the mirror with the shirt closest by. Whoop whoop!

Unfortunately, after I laid the running foundation with Ashley, we went to Eastern Europe, and straight after that I was sick with a cold and then the flu, and I didn't exercise for about four weeks. I hadn't even taken my new shoes out for their maiden voyage.

Well, just after these pictures were taken yesterday afternoon, I went jogging on "The Trail of Tears" (so named by Nathan because almost every time I walk or jog on it I cry for one reason or another), a lovely probably 2.5 mile loop. I can usually do it in about 35 minutes with stopping to walk two or three times. But guess what? Yesterday I didn't stop ONCE! With new shoes and clothes, my juice in one hand and my phone in the other, and I just felt like I could do it, and I DID! 

I felt like Forest Gump with my magic shoes.

Inspired by this blip of greatness, today I looked into a 10K on September 11th. Anyone interested in doing it with me? It would be my first race (unless you count the Taylor homecoming 5K Allison and I walked and giggled our way through). My goal is just to finish without walking. The race happens to finish on a croquet pitch where there is a post-race barbecue.