I debated writing about this. Seemed like it might be jinxing the whole thing, setting me up for failure.

And I can think of a few people who will get a big chuckle out of it. Luckily, the few that already know are very supportive, so I am going for it.

I am 5’7″, about 135 pounds. When I was pregnant with my first kid, I think I was about 120. I’ve always been pretty lucky in not having to diet, but I wouldn’t mind losing about 10 pounds to make the fat pants a little looser. They shouldn’t be “fit just right pants”.  I’m also 44, which means the pounds are starting to creep on, especially in the middle. My mom always said my metabolism would catch up with me at 30, so I guess I got a few extra years.

I am probably one of the least athletic people you will ever meet. Seriously.  I was always the  last person picked for any team. I once got injured playing AIR HOCKEY, for crying out loud.

But last Wednesday, I started the Couch to 5K Running Plan.  I’ve done 4 of the workouts now. It’s basically a gradual plan mixing short spurts of running/jogging with walking, working up to 3 miles of running by the end of two months, doing 3 workouts a week.  Yesterday was 5 minutes of walking to warm up, then 90 seconds of jogging followed by 2 minutes of walking repeated 6 times and 5 minutes of walking to cool down. I have the app on my phone so it keeps track of what to do when.

I tried this running thing a couple years ago, just kind of making it up as I went with my own jogging/walking thing. A) I really need the app to keep me on track and B) I tried to walk Jack the first time around. Fail.  Killed my knees zigzagging back and forth with him.  This time, no Jack.

I have to say, it feels good. Yes, it’s only been a week. The knees are a bit sore but I am working on strengthening them.  They’re a little wonky anyway since they turn in; I have vague recollections of braces as a little kid. I also bought these yesterday, thinking it would help me run with better form, i.e. landing mid-foot instead of on the heel. I’m not ready to do the barefoot thing, since I “run” on the streets around my house, but the lighter weight, more neutral heel does seem to help.

I definitely can see myself sticking with it, which I could never say before. It helps to have my own personal running gurus – ladies who have done this for much longer and more seriously than I probably ever will. I am grateful to C, L and D for letting me pick their brains and words of encouragement.

With a little luck, maybe swim suit season won’t be so horrifying next year. And if I can do it, god knows anyone can.