"Can't?" That's not in my vocabulary.

“If you want me to do something… tell me I can’t do it.”

-Maya Angelou

I've heard this quote before and I believe it to be VERY true but I was reminded of it after reading another blog that was suggested by my friend, Gail (a fellow runner). Apparently, some people have read my blog which is surprising, because I didn't expect anyone to actually read it... I guess I'll try not ramble too much in my future posts (can't make the same promise for this one though... Sorry). 

Anyway, I decided to open with that quote because the whole reason that I got really immersed in the gym; making Gold's my second home was in large part due to someone doubting me. Several months ago, I was talking with a (former) friend about working out. I mentioned that I wanted to start working out 5-6 days a week so that it would pretty much become a part of my a daily routine. From what I recall, it takes approx 21-28 days to create a habit so I suggested that I would work out for 4 weeks straight without interruption. And if I remember correctly, that particular "friend" scoffed at the idea. 

Not only did I do the 28 days, I actually ended up doing 31. It was during those 31 days that I really got 'jazzed' about running. Since I was going to workout everyday, I had to mix it up and keep it interesting. There would be cardio days, strength training, a class or two and then a mix of several things. If there was a good movie showing in the CC, I would hang out in there for a while. Each time I went into the CC, I tried to improve upon my previous time and distance. For awhile I was stuck around 3 miles and then the day of "The King's Speech," things changed and from there on I just kinda ran with it (no pun intended).

Anywho, I guess I should actually thank that "friend" for underestimating me because I honestly don't know if I would where I am today. I found that if you put everything out there and let everyone know your fitness goals (and goals in general), your friends and others will hold you accountable. I've pretty much told the whole world that I'm running this half-marathon on November 12th, so I kinda have to do it OR.... come up with a pretty solid excuse as to why I didn't (ex- bad food poisoning or a knee injury perhaps). Hmmm... I'll reserve either of those for Plan B even though I fully intend to ride out with Plan A which includes finishing the d*mn thing and slapping one of those "13.1" magnets on the G. :-)

Need a distraction?

I mentioned previously in my very first post that never in a 'bah-gillion' (yes 'bah-gillion) years would you ever caught me running... This is not an exaggeration. Let me try to set this up for you...

I never excelled in phys ed. In fact, I tried to find ways to get out of it. And although I was a dancer from the early age of 5 throughout high school, I still wasn't much into any other physical activity. I have abnormally long legs and I decided that they were best suited for dancing; not running. The ONLY time that I ever ran was when I was forced to during that God-awful class otherwise known as "physical education."

I worked out a little in high school; only because I had workout partner who was very much in LOVE with it; mi Madre. Once I got to University of Florida my freshmen year, all bets were off on that workout nonsense. Looking back, it's a shame though because UF had a pretty impressive gym. A gym that I maybe visited it a total of 4 times in those 4 years. And shameful enough of those 4 times, 2 of them were to watch friends play basketball.

Post-graduation, while still living in Titletown ::ahem:: I mean Gainesville, I maybe tried less than 5 times to workout. Mind you, I lived in G'ville for about 2.5 years after graduation. It wasn't until a year after moved to Virginia that I decided to get serious about this fitness stuff. So in May 2010, I joined the local Gold's Gym; mainly for the class offerings. I figured if I was stuck in a class for an hour, I would have to finish it and couldn't just walk out when I got bored. It was choice between Gold's and American Family Fitness. Gold's won me over because it was newer; as in a didn't smell like a foot and it had (drum roll please...) the cardio cinema (CC). The CC was pretty much the best thing that could happen to me in terms of this running thang (yes, 'thang').

Although I had the membership and every EFT on the 1st of the month reminded me of the investment I was making in my physical health, I still wasn't working out regularly. Then 2011 came and for some reason, I decided although not a direct result of a New Year's resolution, that I was going to get serious about this.

I first discovered that in order to be able to run distance on a treadmill, I was going to need a good distraction ::insert the CC:: One evening while watching "The King's Speech," I had a breakthrough of sorts... I ran for 60 minutes and completed 5.26 miles. A year before that, I'd be lucky if I ran for a measly 8 minutes. And 2-3 months before that, I would run for about 15-20 minutes while listening to the iPod and hop off to find something else to do because I got bored. I found that I was able to do the 60 minutes for 2 reasons... 1) The movie was a great distraction; I actually somewhat forgot that I was running and 2) When I did realize that was running... I was in the 'zone' and got a taste of that runner's high and d*mn it is addicting! Before I experienced the "high," I thought it was a myth. After patting myself on the back post-run (my personal best at the time) I couldn't help but wonder "Was this a fluke? Could I do this again?"