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Posts Tagged ‘getting into shape’

Today was a perfect day for a 7K run in Central Park. The weather was overcast, slightly windy and a bit of a drizzle. And I believe I even caught the briefest glimpse of Matt Damon at the end of my run, now THAT is motivation 😉 Hope you enjoy the pics!!

Sheep's Meadow- looking a little bare on a gray fall day!

Heading toward Columbus Circle

There is great satisfaction when you are running faster than the cars are moving 🙂

Park views

The Boathouse Restaurant

The rear view of the MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

East side of the Reservoir

West side of the Reservoir

This view NEVER gets old!!

Peeking through the trees

Strong Finish!

I made it- still smiling =)

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Okay, I am going to admit it.  I have a love/hate relationship with running.

There used to be NO relationship between myself and running.  We were as far apart as Sarah Palin and reality.  I used to pass runners in my car at all times of day and think that they were totally insane to be out pounding the pavement.  I only ran if I was scared.

And then a very strange thing happened a few years back.  A couple of good friends in my neighbourhood and I, decided to join a learn-to-run program so that we could get into shape.  I gained a respect for runners and slowly I became one myself. Now, it did not happen overnight. When I first started I could barely run for one minute without collapsing and gasping for air. I wanted to quit numerous times.  In fact, I have quit numerous times.  This is what I mean by love/hate relationship.

Since I started running I have trained religiously, three to four times a week and raced a few 5K’s and a couple of 10K’s.  And then I stop.  Usually it is because my life (or so I like to believe) has become too stressful and other things become a priority and I can’t fit in the runs.  Really these are just lame excuses.  The whole beauty of running is that you can do it anywhere and all you need is a pair of running shoes and space. But for some reason, I stop.  And then I feel guilty.

Running makes me feel amazing.  It relieves stress.  I am able to think about the day and with each step that I take, a bit of the stress is pounded into the pavement.  It is alone time.  I love the solitude.  Just me and my music, pushing myself to go a little longer or a little faster.  And I love the health benefits, I always feel more energized.  So… why does it sometimes seem soo hard to get my butt of the couch and go?!

I think it is because I train really hard and then I stop and it is really hard to get back into it again.  Nothing deeper than that.  I have to make it a priority.

Yesterday I went on my first run in about four months.  It was raining and gloomy.  My kind of running weather.  I am one of those bizarre people who actually enjoys running in the rain, snow and cold.  I detest running in the heat.  I ran along the Hudson River. It was awesome.  And again, I asked myself, why did I stop?

No more excuses, this time I am in for the long haul.  Running really is about 90% mental, so I just have to stop playing games with myself, commit to the relationship and let go of the hate.

My First 5K with 4 Fabulous Women! (#989)

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