Suck it in and Slow it Down

Remember my whole running announcement?

That whole, yeah, I can do this, just three days a week, no pressure.

I'll get in shape, it's simple, easy, woohoo!

I am working mom, house cleaner, dinner maker, fitness guru extrordinare!

Well, it didn't happen. Instead I was tired, so when I got some free time, I read some blogs, surfed Facebook and slept.

I ran a whopping total of 3 times after that announcement.

And Then I didn't.

But then I got some kick ass advice and some new shoes from a friend and got some motivation back.

And I ran some more, like 3 times more.

Turns out I was doing it all wrong. All those shooting pains in my side weren't completely my out of shapeness, but just me trying to do too much too fast.

Because I am not superwoman... or a 20 year-old college student.

I am a beginner runner who hasn't consistently worked out since high school.

I slowed down my pace and focused on sucking in my midsection instead of focusing on how many laps I'd done.

And, you guys, a miracle happened.

I didn't get any cramps, not one.

And I actually enjoyed myself. I was able to relax a bit more, take some deep breathes and think happy thoughts. All the sudden running wasn't just a forced activity to get into shape, it was some time to myself to think about my day, my kids, my future.

Then this awesome friend gave me a pair of extra running shoes she had lying around.

Nice ones. Colorful ones. Shoes that make me smile when I see them.

I want to wear them. They make me want to run.

So, we're back. Or at least we're trying.

#runlaurenrun