Remember how easy it was to lose those pounds after having babies? Yeah, me neither. But I am trying to get in shape. And though he is well-meaning, it doesn’t help that my oldest is a total believer of every commercial he sees. “Hey Mom look at this commercial…you can lose 10 pounds in two weeks. Is that what you need?”
So a friend from work mentioned this running program called From the Couch to 5K. I was mainly intrigued by the couch part. It’s basically a graduated running program. I’m certainly not trying to run a 5K. But I am trying to get off the couch more.
Admittedly, I was embarrassed to start running. It really isn’t a good visual. In my younger years I had this great stride and was carefree. Now I take small steps, and I’m nervous to step on something the wrong way and twist my ankle. I imagine my neighbors watching me from inside their home and trying to describe what they see. “No honey, she’s not running. It’s more like a scoot.”
But it’s cool because I found that there is this sort of runner’s respect other runner’s show me now. Sort of like Harley riders. Without the motorcycle. And without the leather gear. Okay okay. What I mean is that other runners (I mean the ones that are really running- the non-scooters) make a point to give me a nod or say hello. And whenever another runner acknowledges me all I can think is Cool! They think I’m one of them.
The other day 3 women were running in my direction. They were laughing and carrying on. There I was hardly able to keep a steady breath, let alone speak. Then one of them gave me a smile and a wave. As much as I was ready to stop my run for the day I waited til they were out of my view before I came to a halt. I didn’t want them thinking they’d wasted a wave and a hello on some second-rate runner.
But what is really nice is the kids want to join me. They like to ride their bikes while Mommy scoots behind them. Seeing as how I am unable to speak and run at the same time, I came up with hand signals for stop, slow down, keep going. I probably need one for Mommy needs oxygen but I think they’ll figure that one out.