Two years ago, today, after an unsatisfying dinner (who sets out to go to Golden Corral, anyway? It’s not a destination, just a place you end up due to circumstances, right?) and a Krispy Kreme dessert I decided to see if I could run a mile.
Right, stupid to try after that kind of meal, I know. But I had recently shed 70+ pounds and had taken up cycling as a form of exercise.

Needless to say, I was unable to make it the full mile.
But I developed a determination to be able to. I found a running plan on-line that promised to get me up to a 5K in two months time.

I did it and I was hooked. Over the course of the next year I ran over 600 miles and began harboring dreams of running a marathon. I read every book on running I could get my hands on, subscribed to Runners World, bought a heart rate monitor, eschewed cotton clothing and fell in love with Bodyglide.

I never missed a day of running that first year. I was a junkie.

Then, shortly after my one year anniversary, I hit the wall. My first pair of running shoes had been sufficient when I was still ramping up the mileage. My second pair was purchased at a running store in Austin. My third pair, however, were not conducive to someone with extreme overpronation.

Over the course of the past year I have struggled with running. My motivation has been zapped, my dreams of a marathon diminished.
It’s hard to balance running with family and career. My peak running time is 5-6 in the afternoon. Just when my family expects me home.
I’ve missed days. I’ve struggled with pain.
I’ve thought about giving up over and over again.

However, I now feel like I have new life. When I was in Arkansas a month ago, my brother-in-law gave me his copy of Jeff Galloway’s Marathon.
When I had first heard of Galloway’s methods and the use of walk breaks I had dismissed it. It wasn’t really running if you took walking breaks, was it?
However, I was so frustrated that I decided to give it a shot.

And I haven’t felt this good running in over a year.
I ran 5 miles yesterday and I feel great today. I’m starting to think that maybe a marathon is possible after all.
And I’m starting to feel the love of running again.
Today is a good anniversary.

To all my running readers: have any of you used Galloway’s plans? What do you think? Do you use walk breaks at all? Any thoughts on running?
To all my non-running readers: give it a shot. Try the couch-to-5K. It could change your life.