oh breathe, just breathe

So today, just after catching up on one of our favorite shows, The Biggest Loser, Josh turns to me and says, "Hey, wanna go for a run?" I turned and laughed. a lot. 


He just stares back like he's serious or something. So I say, "wait, you're serious?" He nods affirmatively and we change our clothes and before I know it, I'm outside running up HUGE hills and down crumbly sidewalks listening to the smooth sounds of Mr Michael Jackson. 


I've always admired runners and have always wanted to be someone who could run a marathon like it was no big deal. I mean, look at her. 


She's powerful, fit, strong, and she's gliding on that water. Who wouldn't want to be like that? A runner; powerful, graceful, fit. 


I've always  hated  disliked running a lot.  I figured out last summer when I was chasing after a tennis ball one of the reasons why.  I don't breathe when I run, instead I hold my breath. Who does that? Apparently I do.


 I also think my brother Cory and I have the same problem. He posted on his facebook the other day, "After years of observation, I have come to grips with the realization that I have the speed of a long distance runner, and the stamina of a sprinter." I think that's my problem too, but instead I have the stamina of a sprinter who's smoked for 40 years. 


Today I wanted to prove myself wrong. After 20 years of avoiding running at all cost, even a little run is awesome. I was actually really proud of myself because I ran all the way down from our apartment to the street(reminding myself to breathe every second). Which, if you knew exactly where we live, is quite a ways.  


Alas, that's where my lungs failed me even with the frequent reminders to breathe. I walked/ran/jogged down to the Creamery with Josh just up ahead of me. We turned around and by the time I got home I looked like this guy. 

Definitely not the beautiful, graceful runner I set out to look like......next time. 

 (and by next time I mean hopefully at the end of the summer if I can actually keep up with this goal of running)