Day minus One

Today I woke up and decided this was the day to not smoke anymore. I dressed in my running clothes, put on my new shoes, and decided to get started.

To get my bearings for running in the neighborhood and not feeling self-conscious, I took Ginger with me, walked a brisk mile, came home and decided to start the app tomorrow. I now feel like I know what the neighborhood looks and feels like and how long it takes to walk around the big block. And since I've done it once I don't feel as self-conscious.

I keep remembering the things that the penguin says in the book about how supportive other runners are and I know that is true. And I really want to know that sense of accomplishment I see on the faces as they cross the finish line.

Getting started!

In the last few days I have been preparing for this new adventure. My goal is to run with Jody in the West Chester Shamrock Shuffle in March.

On Friday I posted my goal to stop smoking and start running on Facebook. I received lots of support and now my intentions are out there. Commitment with peer pressure, check!

Yesterday Jody and I went to a running store (MoJo Running) and I was sized for shoes. She also gave me some of her running clothes to use. So attire, check!

I downloaded an app for "Couch to 5K" that has step-by-step instructions about how long to run, walk, run, warm up, cool down, etc. every day. I can take my phone on my run to time each sequence and post my accomplishments. Tools, check!

Today I started reading a book Michael gave me called "The Courage to Start" by John Bingham which really relates to exactly how I'm feeling right now. A little out of my element but determined to continue. So motivation, check!

Announcing My New Year's Resolution

During the last year I have been to several races with Jody and was so inspired by the people who were in them. I can even say I was a little jealous of these fat, skinny, old, young, fast, and slow people who were so pleased with themselves as they crossed the finish line where I was standing drinking Starbucks and smoking a cigarette!

Anyway, at Debbie's Christmas party I announced that my New Year's resolution was to quit smoking and start running. I knew I wanted to run and it would be really difficult with smoking so I would just use one to replace the other. I also knew that runners had told me about a "high" they get from running and I hope that will balance out the depression sometimes experienced when a person quits smoking.

So, I'm off to the races, as they say!