Run

I envy runners. It looks like such a beautiful, peaceful activity, striding through the streets. I love the simplicity of running. Just throw on a pair of shoes (or go barefoot?) and take off. Running doesn't increase the size of your carbon footprint - no need to get in the car and go to the gym. 

The problem is, I'm not a good runner. I was on the track team in high school, and I stank at it. I excelled neither in sprinting nor distance events. I was such a know-nothing dork that I didn't have the sense to wear a sports bra and instead wore my regular bra and constantly pulled up errant straps as I ran. 

Years later, I haven't improved much. I know that at a certain point, endorphins are supposed to kick in, making running feel great. I've experienced that while swimming. I'm often tired swimming my first seven or eight laps, but then I break through and get into my groove. That runner's high, however, has always eluded me. I've never progressed past the point where running hurts and it feels like my chest will explode. I could easily swim for an hour, but run for 10 minutes, and I feel like I'm dying. 

The easy answer would be to give up on the idea of running. But I'd still like to master it, not to win or compete in any races, obviously (so not going to happen). OK, maybe it's a little bit because I'd love to have a runner's toned legs, but really it's just an activity I'd like to add to my repertoire - you know, like I said, the beauty, the peace, the solitude.

Not for the first time, I'm trying the Couch to 5K program. You run some, you walk some, culminating in the completion of a 5K run. I have to say, as I'm doing it, I dread a little bit the moment when the little voice in my iPod breaks through my walking reverie and tells me it's time to run. As of now, I'm no closer to becoming a master runner. Who knows, though, maybe in a month or two I'll be sporting more toned legs and completing a solo 5K run, wearing a sports bra this time. A girl (or pushing-35 woman) can dream, right?