But I did it! I finally made 15 minute miles. And I while I feel happy about that, my body thinks that I suck. You can't please everybody.
I'm sharing with you, not to brag, but to encourage. If I can do it, you can do it. I'm not small, petite or sculpted. What I am is big...and hot. I can't help that. Good genes. I digress. I'm not bragging because I'm doing what I should've been doing for a long time now. I'll always be a bigger person, but I'm this big because I got okay with being fat and lazy. That's not okay, and becoming a better care taker of your body is hard. The bottom line is if I had been doing what I should've been doing, this would be a lot easier.
I'm not gonna quit because it's hard. Nope. I'm gonna do that half marathon next year. I'm just gonna work harder and get better at being better to myself. That's saying no to things that taste better than they are for my body. That's saying I will work out even though I don't want to. That's being real with myself that I am not getting younger, and I don't want to need a scooter to go shopping.
I did it. Next goal is 4 fifteen minute miles. I will do it. Hide and watch.
I love to see you on this same journey, it's like hearing myself three years ago. When I started it took me an hour to go 2 miles, and I had to stop and rest halfway through. You know how far I've come up to now. I'm still fluffy too, but I nearly came in the top half of all runners at the Long Beach half marathon last October, wearing a sparkle skirt and a shirt that says "If you can read this, I'm not last" on the back. I passed a whole lot of people in that shirt, they laughed and tried to catch me, but many couldn't and I left them in the dust. I'll never win a race outright, but I keep winning the race that is my own, to make progress and keep pushing to do better than the last time. You are right, there will be days when you just don't want to get out there and go. You'll be tired. The weather will suck.You'll have a bunch of other things that you think would be a better use of your time. You'll feel guilty for taking time for yourself when it seems it serves no practical purpose. But by adding the years to your life you are giving a great gift back to your family. By leading by example, you are showing them a better way and helping them to avoid the mistakes you made. Keep going, keep walking, jogging, running, skipping, whatever. Keep eating twigs and leaves (aka, "salad"), and do it with your usual flair for making the mundane exciting and fun. Put on your sparkle and make a tutu, and never give up. I really want to come and run that half marathon with you, pray for a plane ticket, because my husband is not going to let me hitchhike to Florida, no matter how much I beg. I love you, and can't wait to see your story unfold!
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