I'm Gonna Put On, My My My My My Runnin' Shoes....Maybe

I've never liked running, ever. When I was in college, I played on the volleyball team. Our coach was hardcore and during preseason would make us get up 2 to 3 times a week and run. Our goal was to run a mile in 8 minutes or less. I know, I know...that's not incredibly fast. However, volleyball players are sprinters my nature. I never minded sprinting, it was the long distances, you know longer than the straight aways, that I hated. Each morning we ran our timed mile, I'd wake up (have I mentioned I'm not a morning person either?) at 5:30am, slip into my workout clothes and, while dry-heaving, tie up my running shoes. The dry heaving would continue as I walked the 100 or so yards across campus to the track. The closer I got to the track, the more I'd dry heave. I'm not kidding. Even now, thinking about it, my heart is racing.

The dry heaving would continue as our coach made us run an entire warm up lap. I felt that this warm up lap was completely unnecessary and I didn't understand why she would make me use up perfectly good running energy to "warm up."

Usually, I finished my mile in less than 8 minutes, but almost always I barfed afterwards. I would have to syke myself out with each step, saying something stupid like,

"The next time I'm right here I'll only have 3 laps left."

"Okay, just make it to the next line and then you'll only have 11 more lines left" (referring to the starting lines on the track).

Mental toughness when running was never my forte. I could handle practicing for 3-4 hours at a time, do sprinting drills, suicides, etc. but distance running....NO THANKS!

So, with that said why is it, I ask you, that I feel the need to become a runner? (There it goes again, my heart is starting to race.) Why do I feel this drive to run? Well, I've been following the blog of Lindsey Broere, a friend from my middle school days. I don't know what in the crap she's training for, but she's running like a mad lady. I think I read somewhere the other day that she ran for like 4 hours or something. Can I just say "NOT A CHANCE IN YOU-KNOW-WHERE!!!"

Nonetheless, I have felt called to run. Maybe it's because of the way Lindsey talks about the quiet time, or the consistency, or the way that she feels God is communicating to her thru the endurance and physical exertion. At any rate, I'm going to give it a try. I could use the toughening up and the opportunity to shed some extra pounds.

As I said before, I'm NOT a runner. I'll probably start off with a brisk walk and work my way up. If you read this, and you ARE a runner, I'd enjoy any tips you might like to share. For the rest of you, just PRAY.

And, if you see me, laying face down in the grass on the side of the road, don't be alarmed. I'm probably just cooling off.

****By the way, this is my 100th post! Yay!******