The First Mile

I just ran the first mile I have run since high school!  26 days ago I hadn't ran farther than a few blocks in more than 12 years.  Wow!  Really shows you what a little attention and focus can do.
I started on a journey four and a half months ago.  I have some REAL goals for this year.  Some REAL New Years resolutions.  I laid out my goals and some actual, measurable steps in order to obtain these goals.  I think that is what is different about this year.  I started with the end in mind.  I mapped my course.  I know where I am going and how I am going to get there. 
One of the questions I have had to come face to face with during this journey is why do I hate to run?  It is one of the things that I feel would do the most benefit in my journey, but I haven't been able to approach it, until now.  Do I hate to run because I USED to hate to run?  Or do I still hate to run?  Do I hate to run because of all of the excuses I USED to have, or are those excuses still true for me?  So far, running is not what I would call enjoyable, but I am facing my fears and hates and accomplishing goals that lead to bigger goals. 
I have wanted to complete a triathlon for many years.  A friend competed in a triathlon many years ago, and I was secretly very jealous.  I was jealous because I thought "I would like to do that, but will never ever be able to".  This year I am questioning all of those never evers.  I have began training for a triathlon this month and as a few minutes ago, I have registered to complete a half a triathlon in June and a full triathlon in August.  Wow!  I am going to do this!  No turning back now.
Every year for many many years I have set out to loose weight and get healthy.  Me and the rest of the country.  I never made concrete, attainable goals to get there.  So this year I find myself 32 years old and 30 + pounds overweight.  I want to lead by example.  I want to show my kids what it is to be healthy.  I want to demonstrate determination and sheer focus for my patients.  I want to be able to say look at what I did this year.

A Mommy Date

Today could have been a total loss, but I chose to make use of it! I had to come to Loveland early, for something that turned out to only take 15 minutes. It would have been a waste to drive back to Longmont just to turn right back around. I chose, yes chose, to go work out instead. Who is this person who is emerging? I could have used to think of a hundred things I would rather do than work out, but these days it is at the top of my list everyday. I went to a new rec center and went swimming. I enjoyed myself and now that is off the list for today. The question of dinner was next, hmm. Mommy Date! It used to feel so strange going to a restaurant by myself, but now it feels like an opportunity. I enjoy a quiet meal of my choosing. Anywhere I want to go, however long I want to stay. Dating myself is very important. I do so much for everyone and everything else, it is really nice to give back to me. The gift of time is so important, and today I chose to spend it wisely.