Why Run? (Also, a peek at my inner nerd)

I started running because I needed something active that I could do to:
A. Boost my mood
B. Give myself a short term goal to work towards
C. Improve my over all health

My short term goal is to run in a 5K race by September/October. Deciding to train for a 5K was a way for me to prove to myself that I can start something and finish it. I was going crazy looking at my list of life goals and desires. They never seemed to move forward fast enough. Finishing my degree and paying off debt are two areas that never seem to move forward fast enough. I was finding myself unable to sleep because I was stressing about not being where I want to be. There was nothing I could do to help things move faster, I just needed to be patient. Patience is tough. I needed something else to distract me.

Why would I run? I have never ran in any race and do NOT consider myself an athlete. While in middle school and high school I never participated in any sport. Of course I took the P.E. classes, was in weights and was moderately active but I never went beyond that. Even though I have never considered myself an athlete and have never been committed to an exercise program there are a couple times in my past when I felt better and more positive than at other times. During those positive times I was active. I was walking to school, taking mat pilates and yoga. I was going hiking with my dog, running and walking the trails with him. That was the answer I needed to add the active ingredient back to my life. Setting this goal in place was a way to get me moving forward...literally.

Everyday that I lace up my shoes and leave the house is an achievement. Each mile ran is 1 mile closer to my goal. On October 1, 2011 I will run my first 5K. I will join many others who will run the same route with me. Next I could plan on running a 10K, then a Half Marathon. I am not interested in winning a race. Competing isn't important to me, the races are a date giving me proof that I did it (Don't think this means I wont do my very best!). :)

Ok, now I am going to let my inner geek out. I stumbled across Daily Mile this week and fell in love right away. The graphs and charts make my heart flitter like I have a crush.
Check this out:

I can see what I run at a glance. Now, not only do I have my personal motivation to get out there and run I also have this log that stimulates my love of graphs and charts! It keeps track of how many miles I've ran in 2011! I can see my farthest run, my fastest run, and the days I miss. How cool is that! Yes, I am a chart and graph nerd. I love them.

Anyway, I am really loving life right now and am loving how close I am to my accomplishing my goal!