"You Better Run All Day And Run All Night..."

As anyone who has been reading my blog know, I ran my first race this past Saturday. It was a 5k in the Dam to Dam here in Des Moines.

I had one purpose for doing this race, to use it as a mark of how far I've come in my weight loss and fitness journey. I had no intention of becoming a "runner". I was going to do this race and possibly another down the road as another mark but I was never going to be a "runner". I hate running. I always have hated running. I called runners stupid and crazy. People who like running don't make sense to me.

I still hate running...but I love competing.

Although I wasn't actually competing against anyone but myself in this first race, it was indescribable as I pushed myself along the course and across the finish line. I was competing against myself and I loved it.

Ever since I finished, I've been itching to get back to running and getting ready to do another race as soon as possible. I was so excited to run again yesterday and not even 100+ degree humidity could stop me. It was all I could think about at work yesterday. Holy cow! I couldn't wait to run! Even today, I'm looking forward to my run tomorrow! I wish I was running today!

Stephanie told me it would happen. She said that I would be hoooked after my first race. She knew I would want to do more. She told me that almost from the first day she got me to start running.

Before Saturday, I was only running as a form of exercise. While running yesterday, I found myself thinking about when, where, and how far my next race would be any time I was able to take my mind off the heat. I would picture myself crossing the finish line. I could almost feel the excitement I felt when I was standing at the starting line.

It's no a longer a question of "if" I'm going to do another race. I've already looked into other races in the area. It is happening.

I've asked Steph to write me up new running programs and my friend, Josh, to e-mail me any training tips he can offer. I'm reading blogs and articles about running. I keep wanting to push myself and get better. Now that I'm reaching new potential I didn't know I had, I'm wondering how much farther I can push myself.

I'm no longer running just as a form of exercise. I'm running now as training for my next race.

Oh shoot...I'm a...I guess I'm a runner...gee...thanks, Steph...