Training, Day 1

I had my first training run/session yesterday. It was more informational than anything, but it was nice to get started, meet some people including my carpool buddy Emily! Super nice person and while she says she's not a morning person, she pulled off the morning chipper pretty well!

This past week I went to Fleet Feet to get my new ACTUAL running shoes. I say actual because my usual M.O. for buying sneakers is as follows.

- Find any size 14
- Of the 14s find a shoe that doesn't look like I'm trying to be in the NBA or a 14 year old boy trying to show his props in the hood.

How they fit is so secondary to finding my actual size.

Enter Kristin at Fleet Feet. She had me run a little on the treadmill while I was being video recorded from behind at foot level. She showed me on the monitor 'how' I ran and took time to explain what she was looking for and how it affected her choice of shoes.

Long story short, The shoes feel fantastic and I can actually tell a big difference in the support. Granted, I'll be eating spaghetti and other cheap pasta dishes for the next two weeks to make up for what I had to pay for the shoes, but it will be cheaper than trying to train to run and damaging my feet. See my pretty new possessions?
Training on Saturday begins at 7am right now which meant Emily was going to pick me up around 6:15. (We train on the south side of Chicago...ugh) Sadly, that's not a bad time for me. I'm not really able to sleep late because my internal clock is so strong. Besides, with this sunrise waiting on you

how could you NOT want to get up and run?

(Yes, you're right, I'm deluding myself to make myself get up and at 'em)

I was successful for a Saturday morning having not done anything remotely athletic in so long my last 'running' shoes could be carbon dated. I ran the warm up mile without stopping. I'd like to say it was due to my drive and perseverance, but mostly it was because I was with other people and didn't want to look bad.

I was surprised with two things. 1. I finished the first mile. 2. How many times have I discounted myself in my life thinking I couldn't do something.

I often pshaw trite sayings like "When you fall off the horse you just have to get right back up again". I think you should shoot the horse for throwing you in the first place! However, I did see a girl with a shirt that said something to the effect of "You must make yourself do what you think you cannot" I think her shirt said it better, but memory, a long day and time are clouding the actual words. I like the saying though.

Off to more!