100 Things About Me As A Runner

1.  I have been a closet runner.

2.  I have been starting and stopping running for 4 years.

3.  I first started when I turned 40, it's now 4 years later.

4.  I usually restart each summer.

5.  I usually fall off each fall.

6.  This year I've done something different.

7.  I started at Spring Break.

8.  Why?  My mother in-law had stints put in and I started bootcamp at the Y and running.

9.  I love bootcamp! to vary the running.

10.  I see muscles from running and bootcamp.

11.  I feel stronger from running and bootcamp.

12.  I have made changes to make this time for myself.

13.  I've read a couple of books about running.

14.  The first summer I did followed the Couch to 5K plan.

15.  The next two summers, I just dabbled around without a big plan.

16.  I like plans!

17.  Sarah and Dimity wrote a great new book, Train Like a Mother.

18.  To be honest, all I've read is this summer's plan - 5K Finish It

19.  I started on week 3 - Walk 2 min and then run 6min 4 times.

20.  I liked running the same path in my neighborhood.

21.  I think running in the neighborhood guaranteed I could make it back home somehow.

22.  I found creative ways to run 3.1 miles in a small neighborhood.

23.  Running the same path gave me benchmarks for distance.

24.  I then knew about how far additional minutes might take me.

25.  I appreciated the walking periods between running periods.

26.  I like running at night.

27.  My body moves easier at night.

28.  I was dedicated enough to run in a slight thunderstorm on the horizon one night.

29.  I've gone out as late as 9:30pm, again just staying in the neighborhood.

30.  I've have increased my running wardrobe.

31.  I love the Champion line at Target for my clothes.

32.  I even bought running leggings in full length, capri, and short all in black.

33.  I wear running shorts over anything legging.

34.  I use and LOVE the app Runkeeper.

35.  I like numbers and Runkeeper tells me every 5 min. time, distance, and pace.

36.  My pace has improved, around a 10 min mile give or take.

37.  Runkeeper maps my path with my GPS on my Android phone.

38.  I have my running playlist on my amazon cloud.

39.  I always start with the song, If It's Love by Train.

40.  I have an arm band for my phone.

41.  I had a plan to run a 5K June 2nd.

42.  Things got a bit busy with the end of the school year, I didn't sign up.

43.  I want to make sure I can run 3.1 miles and smile at the finish.

44.  Since school got out I've ran 3.1 miles three times now.

45.  I found with the routine of running I look forward to it on my running days.

46.  Yesterday I had a small mole removed on my left leg, not to worry.

47.  The Dr. said no running for 72 hours and I am bummed.

48.  I can run on Saturday, the stitches come out in 2.5 weeks.

49.  I need to find a 5K, something small.

50.  I have been really inspired by my friend Franki.

Franki started a blog Reading Teachers Running and I have been following her fitness journey all year.  A recent post to start this summer was her list of 100 Things About Me as a Runner, where she also explains her thinking about creating such a list.  I appreciate her open and honest thinking about her journey.  She shares ups and downs.  She shared weekly what she could accomplish.  I found myself thinking, if Franki can do this so can I.  At one point we swapped a couple of running songs and as I shuffle through my mix, her songs come up and remind me, if Franki can do this so can I.  Many times people assume I am a runner based on my body type, whatever that is.  Running is hard.  For me, it's been an issue of thinking I can do it.  Running also requires mental fitness.  I've also had to make time and changes in my schedule to run and do bootcamp.  I've run 3 times a week to get this far.  I would like to have a good week of 3.1 running three times and end the week with my first 5K.  I'm no longer a closet runner, thank you for joining me on this journey.