Pride and Accountability

Ok.

I used to be an active person.

I used to bike, play tennis, cross country ski, downhill ski,
                        and jog.

During the years that we were trying to start our family,
I started running to relieve the stress of infertility.

Once I finally became pregnant, I stopped running.

Being a stay-at-home mom to 3 active kids,
I did a lot of running around, but not really exercise.

I skated...

I still went biking....

I played hopscotch and jump rope.
I would swim a little bit in the summer...

As they got bigger, we would go on family bike rides -
     but only as fast the the youngest child could go.
I started exercise programs, but nothing lasted.
Other responsibilities would always get in the way
       - or so I told myself.

I have belonged to LA Fitness for the past 2 years or so.
I usually get serious about it before bathing suit season.
But it takes so much time to go to the gym every day
that I can't sustain it for an extended period.

So last month, as it became impossible to zip up
my jeans once again, I knew I had to do something
that was easier to sustain and didn't take so much time.

I started running.

 NOTE:  THIS IS NOT A PICTURE OF ME!
It is a picture of what I would like to look like!


My first day out, I ran less than 1/2 mile and stopped 5 times.

I was disgusted with myself.
I felt old.

Then I found an APP for my iPhone that really motivates me.
It's called LogYourRun.

It uses GPS to keep track of your mileage.

I can listen to songs and it interrupts the song every quarter mile
        to tell me how far I have gone.

And it keeps track of my distance, speed, and effort.

I started using it my second time out..........

19:13 min             0.9 miles        22:05 min/mile

and I stopped 3 times to walk.

Pretty bad.
But it has motivated me.
That, and watching the contestants on the Biggest Loser
       run a marathon!

Since then, here are my stats.

13:18 min           1.04 mile            12:47 min/mile
12:29 min           1.05 miles           11:53 min/mile
14:53 min           1.24 miles           12:00 min/mile
12:34 min           1.06 miles           11:51 min/mile
15:08 min           1.37 miles           11:02 min/mile
16:46 min           1.45 miles           11:34 min/mile
16:07 min           1.44 miles           11:12 min/mile
16:20 min           1.40 miles           11:40 min/mile 


I am seeing progress.
I definitely slowed down after eating all those
         Christmas goodies!

But I am not stopping to walk anymore.
And I have increased my mileage - somewhat.

Now I am going to use my PRIDE to keep me going.

EVERY TIME I WRITE A BLOG ENTRY,
I WILL LOG MY RUNS.

I will be accountable to you.

I hate to lose.
I hate to say I can't do something.
I hate to give up -

especially when someone is watching.

So wish me luck.
And get on me if I slack off.