i have never been a strong runner.

i was a very strong athlete. competitive swimming, gymnastics, lifted weights, could do push ups and sit ups all day

even 6 months after i had my first baby, and NO training, i scored an outstanding on my navy physical fitness test becasue i swam it.

but never running, not real running.

i could sprint my ass off because i have very powerful legs and was quick

i have always envied the runner's body. long and lean.

i have always known that running is an amazing form of cardio and was always a factor int he training regiment of my friends who had lost alot of weight and gained wellness

i heard about the runners high, and wanted it

i was soooo not into running that while on the high school track team, at 5'5" and 128 lbs, i opted to throw shot put and discus to avoid distance running. stop laughing, you cannot make this s*#t up.

but i wanted to be a runner, i just didn't want to run

time teaches us some things.

my legs are very toned and rather lean. my arms arm are defined, but have a little jiggle

i know that i have pretty bad a&& muscle tone underneath my squishy center...

ahhhh...the squishy center. alot of grease, salt and beer went into the development of the squishy center.

it's not ridiculously squishy or huge, but if time and gravity have their way and i don't put up a fight we are going to have a squishy blob on our hands...

so the week of thanksgiving i CHOSE to be a runner. and it hurt

for those of you who follow my blog, i am huge into personal responsibility and choosing your path.

the path i chose was the 2 mile beautiful nature trail that enciricles my neighborhood.

and even though it hurt, i chose it again. as it turns out, the fairies are NOT going to bring me a runners body in my sleep. little bastards.

so i choose to run.

i miss my abs. they were so pretty. i used to blame the loss of them on my kids becasue of a little stretchy skin post partum (that at the time only gave me about 5 extra lbs).

well my kids are 18, 16, and almost 15. time to own it sister.

so i run.

the run has gotten better over this last month or so.

i look forward to the run. it is peaceful and i feel stong.

i found that runners high and i'm hooked. i get it about 20 minutes in and i look forward to it like a kid at christmas

so i run.

i run away from the BS excuses of the last 15 yrs

i run away from the bad food choices and yummy mcribs

i run away from the girl who didn't have to work for her body

i run away from the stress of normal every day life of raising my amazing kids and working and school

i run to whatever song finds its way into my thought during that run (today was the Marine Corps song...don't ask, i got nothin for an answer)

i run to the theory of making ones self better every day

i run to the woman that i want to be, the example i want for my girls, and the life that will be longer and likely healthier because of my choices

and so i run