I am not a runner. I have never been prone to athlectitism. Why push yourself when you could just eat another cookie? That being said, I have resorted to excerizie from time to time in my life. You know, because I wanted to not be embrassed in my bikini or because I wanted to fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans. But the thing is, I have never really enjoyed it. I mean they don't call it "working out" for nothing. Exercise is hard and running is the worst. But people, let me tell you, I am almost there. I kid you not. The other day as I on lunch break, I saw a woman running. It was a beautiful sunny day. I caught myself thinking "oh I wish I were running right now." And then I literally stopped dead in my tracks. What the hell? I, Jaime Lynn Barks, was just envious of someone running? How is this possible? I almost like running. I say almost because I get all pumped about doing it but the first couple miles always suck. Then, I just get in my groove and it feels good. I am in the best shape I have ever been in. On my long run the other weekend, I actually ran through Lee (the college I attended) as away of saying "suck it" 20 year old Jaime. I am 30 and have had two babies and I am in better shape than you.
The whole running thing started again with my awesome sister deciding that she wanted to do the Disney Princess half marathon. This was back in August,
I wrote about starting to train (still using that ipod holder by the way). My sister has been a total inspiration to me. She has pushed herself so hard and has accomplished so much. While I have dabbled in running over the years, it was a total foreign concept to my sister. The fact that she, and the rest of my family have been training definitely helped provide motivation. But maybe even a little more than peer pressure, I think I needed to prove I could do this for myself. I've mentioned it before, but this year has been kind of rotten. With all the babies, hormons and shitty experiences, I needed something I could control. Something I could force into submission. Running gave me this. When I run, it is up to me and only me, how I perform. Now, please don't get me wrong. I am still a crappie runner. When compared to other runners, my time is abysmal but for me I am doing well. Like, I can almost tell someone I am a runner without feeling like they are going to look at me and laugh.
You see, when I complete a run I feel like this . . . .
But in reality I look like this . . . .
Or maybe even this . . .
The thing is, I am never going to be one of those girls who run with grace and fluidity. You know, the gazelles. They prance along like they are skipping through a field of flowers. I never see them panting or sweating. And, I have come to peace with the fact that I am not going to ever make running look easy. I have almost stopped fantasizing about tripping those gals who make it look so easy. Almost.
Oh, there is one other motivator for running (you know besides the day dream of looking smoking hot in a tiny bikini) . . . my kids. I want them to be healthy. I want them to have a momma who can keep up with them. On the day we snapped the photos above, Jason took the boys to the playground while I ran (schimmels park for the locals). Once, when I was lapping the playground, Henry annouced he was gonna run with mommy. It was the sweetest thing ever. His adorable little toddler legs chasing after me. So, when my need for control, vanity and family peer preasure fail me, I have my boys. Thanks for encouraging momma Henry and Alex.
PS. I can't say enough about the
Get Running app. I know everyone is different but the timed run totally helped me build my endurance. Once I mastered the 30 minute run, I started doing two 30 minute training sessions a day and eventually three! This might not make sense, but if you have seen the app it might. For me, setting time goals (like running for 10 minutes), was much easier than distance goals.
PPS. I have a Nike+Sports watch and I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! Thank you to my amazing sister Janine for this great gift. If you are on Nike+ my screen name is 'jaimebarks.' I love being able to chart my runs and I really enjoy being able to look at my wrist and see exactly how far I have ran. Of course, I realize I must look totally bizarre as I continually look at my wrist and grin (or cursing if the run isn't going well).
PPPS. This aint' my first rodeo. I did a half marathon in 2010 and
wrote all about it. Since I've trained a lot harder this time, I really hope I don't feel like I am going to die at the end of the run.