I started this running program to “earn” a pair of shoes. But after having someone who is an actual runner point out the beat up runners I’ve been using weigh about 15lbs each, I bought new shoes.
Fancy-schmansy, light-weight runners that the sales guy said would make me run super fast.
It didn’t, of course, but it was nice to have new shoes. And I actually ran farther and faster than I have yet – 3.3 km that added to the walking, made a total of 4.3km – closer and closer to my 5km goal! And those other shoes.
It’s been a long, hot summer and I’ve spent 3 months going from trying not to puke after jogging 90 seconds to running over 3km in one go. And although I spent a lot of time writing about the Vogs, the real motivation was to be able to do something different. Something I didn’t think I could. Something that made me channel all the stubbornness into one goal.
I found the log books from when I went to Weight Watchers while in University – over 20 years ago. The good news is I weigh about the same as when I was in University. The bad news is it was enough to send me to Weight Watchers. Now I’ve lost lots of pounds with this program, but 20 years later, I’m back where I began. So this time, I thought instead of paying $20 a week to a company that makes millions from people just like me, I could spend the same amount on shoes. Beautiful shoes. Good shoes that will last if not 20 years, at least longer than the temporary gain (or rather loss) that might see me looking back at the log books 20 years from now. And a sense of accomplishment of doing something I didn’t think I ever would even attempt.
My beloved, the one who encouraged me to start this in the first place cracked 5 km last week. I’ve started week 8 of a 9 week program. The summer of running is coming to a close. I will wear my new runners with pride, and soon I will wear that other pair.
It will be a much nicer picture!