It still sounds strange to think of myself as a runner again. I haven’t defined myself as a runner since before I had kids. But I loved it then, Walkman and all.
Last month I found out I love it again.
I was fine taking my daily walks. Until I felt the need to be more productive during the day. Basically, I didn’t have two hours to stroll the neighborhood and chat about gardening. I love talking to my neighbors. I really do. But I needed more pep in my step.
Brian my husband joked that people don’t stop to talk to him when he’s running.
Monday morning, I downloaded a running app to keep my time and made a goal to do three miles in 45 minutes. It was just a goal to keep me from stopping to smell the flowers for too long. I’m not trying to win any races here.
Two days later I popped in one Air Pod and some 80’s music. Now I’m dancing down the Greenway to I will walk 10,000 Miles, Footloose and Like a Virgin.
My hesitation to running again was that my pelvic floor is not exactly like a virgin after four babies. Running is the equivalent to jumping on trampoline at age 45. It always sounds more fun that it is. But I have you know… after running four mornings a week for a month, my pelvic floor is probably in her early 30s again.
Together, we are rocking this running thing. Even on muddy trails. Even in the rain. But mostly, it’s been good to have discipline and a goal to stick to everyday. I write running in my calendar (yes, I have a paper calendar) and hold myself accountable.
I’m so, so close to doing 3 miles in 40 minutes now. I think it will happen this week.
Have you done something lately that you just want to say, “Yeah, Go you?” I give you permission to do it. And to dance down the Greenway. 
UPDATE: Two days after I posted this I ran three miles in 38 minutes. The silly part of me had the theme song playing in my head, “Girl is on Fire.” It was fun.
