This morning I got up with the intention of running for a mile then doing a combination of walking/running for another 2 miles. I was going to use my outdoor route. I like running outside better than inside, especially in the cool weather. Strange, considering what a hot-weather girl I am…. But I digress.

I have run a mile before, just a few weeks ago. I have run a mile and a half before, a little over a week ago. Both of these feats (and they really are feats for me) happened on an indoor track. Nice and flat, no wind, no goose poop. Today’s mile was going to be my first outdoor mile. I was nervous because it was breezy and a little misty at times.

But I hit the pavement. I managed to get the mile in pretty easily, all things considered. But as I hit that mile mark, I decided to change my course of action for today and decided to try for two miles straight. And dammit, I did it! I have never run 2 miles in my life. Ever. And I did it today. Outside, with little inclines, with wind, with mist, with almost 47 years on my life, and with excess weight on my frame. I may not have looked pretty running, but by God, I did it. I can’t even begin to put into words how I felt when I finished it. I don’t care that I have a really slow pace. I don’t care that I don’t look pretty when I’m running. I ran 2 miles without stopping to walk, without any significant calf, heel, or shin pain, and without any doubts that I can do this 5K in a little under a month!