First run of 2010

I was supposed to go out for a run yesterday, but with the sleet, snow and ice, cold and miserable, I didn’t. Have you ever tried running on icy pavements, you feel like a cartoon character running on the spot. I decided I would go today. The weather forecast showed the region as ‘sunny’. Well it was sunny but very very very cold.

I wrapped up warm and went out. After the excess food and drink of the holidays and not having been out for a run or even a walk during the week, the cold was a shock to my body. I only managed to run for eight minutes and it didn’t help that I was slip sliding along the ice. Oh well, I will blame the weather and hope this will not be an indication of my running progress for the year!!

This is what my regular running route looked like over Christmas

This is what it looks like two weeks later. I guess I won't be going running.

Personal benefits…

Due to low motivation to go out running I decided to list my own personal benefits of running to remind me (and motivate ) on why I started it. I’m sure others have a different list but generally I would imagine that the benefits gained from any type of exercise are more or less the same.

1. Increased confidence
2. Toned up – I look better
3. Quality of sleep is better, I usually wake up refreshed
4. More optimistic and feel happier
5. Less back aches and other aches!!
6. I can eat anything as I can burn it off
7. A great way to de-stress, a time to contemplate
8. It feels great after a run, I get a natural high!!!
9. I have become more sociable, have made new friends
10. I don’t have to spend a lot of money to benefit
… a great excuse to buy new trainers!!

What better way to energize my life…

Why Running?

I needed some regular exercise, aside from walking and the odd bit of cycling I was doing. I’ve always been a keen swimmer and I would love to have a swimming pool in my back garden or live by the sea (unfortunately I don’t!). I wanted something I could do whenever and wherever; something that didn’t require special equipment or a membership or driving somewhere to do it. Running fit the bill.

In the past my attempts at running were always start-stop, I would give up and then try again, until I found something more exciting! This time I was going to stick to it… and I have!!!!!!

It’s been two years since I took it up and in that time I have grown to enjoy running. I like how I feel afterward, it has become a time to think and de-stress. I have since reaped some benefits and that has made me want to keep working at it.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” – Lao Tzu

Hello world!

Hello and Welcome to my running blog,

It has been two years since I started running and having made some progress, I had the grand idea of recording my plans and goals in this blog. A way to keep track of my runs (running being my main form of exercise) and to monitor my progress. Hopefully I will really see the progress I have made, I often think I haven’t made any progress.

My goal by the end of this year (2009), is to increase my general fitness level, exercise five times a week, have a healthy toned body, and complete a running event…

We are begining of September so I have 4 months to reach my goals. Wish me luck!