ugh. running. ugh again.

preface--semi-inspired by whitney's 'lessons i've learned from my dogs' series.  oh how you always one-up me, whit (fist shaking).  coming up with all the good ideas first.  i think this means that i am a terrible blogger.  i must have missed the first day of 'blogging 101' where they teach you it is the cardinal sin of blogging to steal ideas and content from your peers in the blogosphere.  oh well, i love you whitney. and please don't be mad i am stealing borrowing your idea.

well, it's been a not-so-wonderful 115 days since i started working out by way of running.  and in the, maybe, 30 days i've actually put on my work out clothes, laced up my shoes, and walked out my door, i've learned some very important lessons that i thought i'd share with you.

things i've learned in my short time as a runner very slow jogger.

1. you can't go from zero to marathon overnight
   
2. just because you buy all the fancy running gadgets, doesn't make getting up in the morning any easier
   
3. there is a very strong chance that you will see people much older than you or much younger than you running 3x your speed and seem like they are actually enjoying themselves.  as if running can be fun!  who are you people?
   
4. you need to switch it up.  run a new route.  intermingle short distances and long distances.  listen to new music.  change up the scenery.  wear your mp3 armband on the other arm sometimes so you don't end up with one huge tanline on your left arm.
5. running outside is much more fun, but much more difficult.  it's a trade off.
6. daylight savings makes it so much easier to train.  it's too hard to get out of bed in the morning and now i can run after work without feeling like i might be pulled into the bushes at any given moment.
7. every day is different and there are good days and bad days.  some days i feel like i could run forever.  and others i get a side cramp right from the get go and wish i had listened to my instincts and sat on the couch watching friends with a bucket of popcorn.
8. it's important to understand that if you run 4 miles in one direction, you must travel that same distance to get back.
9. when using moleskin padding to cover the same blister that keeps reappearing under the bunion on your right foot, make sure you listen when the directions tell you your feet must be clean for it to stay in place.  that's no funny business.
10. being in shape makes it much easier to push through the pain (sore legs, side aches, feeling like your head is going to explode from overheating) and keep going until you finish the distance you set out to do.
11. while running along the trail by the ocean and listening to panic at the disco's 'nine in the afternoon,' you may repeatedly think the train is about to pass you, but it's not.
12. if you get your head in the game and decide that you are going to run after work without fail, no excuses, you might be rewarded when you are done with a beautiful sunset like this. (oh how i love living near the beach!) 

Lucky # 13.

and above all else, when you hear the train coming, turn your face away from the tracks or you'll be whipped by grains of dirt and sand like you're a camel in a dust storm!  and that's no fun for anyone!