Day Three: Everything Will Change

Them's my runnin' shoes...

Well, at least anything can change.  Just got back from a run/walk.  I have signed up for a 5K on June 20th.  I'd like to run the whole thing, but I'm not sure if that's going to happen.  I've been using a training app, but haven't been keeping up with it as much as I should.  It is a seven week program and I am on week three.  Needless to say, the 5K isn't four weeks away.  I'm behind.  But, at least I am doing it.  I have always been a walker.  I would occasionally entertain the notion of picking up running, but would usually squelch that immediately with reasons (or excuses, I know) such as, my knees were too weak, or I got out of breath too quickly.  Around this time last summer, however, I suddenly thought "Who says I can't run?".  Well me, I said I couldn't run.  Exactly.  So I decided to give it a try.  I started with just running as I crossed driveways or street corners, then gradually started to run for a bit, then walk, run, then walk.  I was pretty surprised at how quickly it got a little easier.  I was even starting to enjoy it;  but would never run a whole mile.  Hell no.  I would always stop to walk, off and on.  One fine day, however, I went on a walk with my friend Kayla.  I told her I was enjoying the running, but could never run a mile without stopping.  She bet me I could and suggested we give it a try.  Off we went.  I wanted to stop many, many, many times, but I didn't.  Just as we approached the homestretch I told her I had to quit, that I was okay with it, but I just couldn't run a centimeter further.  Just as we stopped, my Map My Walk app chirped "Total distance, one mile."  I did it!  I couldn't believe it.  I really didn't think I had it in me.  I was a walker!  But that changed.  Now, even though I certainly wouldn't consider myself a runner, and I haven't run a full mile without stopping to walk, yet; I always walk and run.  Every time.  Even when I am not preparing for a 5K.

Today, with the cool breeze in my hair and the sun on my back, I felt fantastic.  My robotic trainer, far too chipper, if you ask me, would order me to "Run!" and I was glad to do it.  I actually caught myself smiling and eventually thinking "Wait, why don't I do this every day?".  Well, sitting on the couch and relaxing with a good book or a movie feels pretty damn good, too.  And I work forty hours a week.  And there are other things I enjoy.  Reasons, excuses, whatever they may be, it's that feeling I had today that stops me from turning into a couch potato.  I can slack, I can go through lazy spells, but I always come right back to it because it just feels too good not to.  As I was running, soaking all the good feelings in, one of Gavin DeGraw's songs came on:

Everything will change
Hey, I feel it coming on
Starting like a fire, tonight you lit the flame
Now everything will change

I couldn't help but think about my 30 day challenge.  Me, my potential, who I want to be,

me at my best and fullest self - it's as if it has been right there waiting for me; waiting for me to light the flame and start a fire full of burnin' hot change. I think I'm ready for it.