Happy Birthday to Me!

Happy Birthday to me! I usually don't make a big fuss over my birthday. I'm not generally in to being the center of attention, not one for big blow out celebrations, and typically do a lot of 'quiet reflection' over the past year.

This year is a little different. No big blow out party planned or anything like that, but I am celebrating LOUDLY on the inside! My boss joked today and said 'this is when your candles start going out'. My response to that was, 'honey, the way I see it, my candles are just getting LIT!'

I got up early for my 30 minute run today - on the treadmill. It was great - Tuesday's run is history. One of my favorite songs to run to is Keith Urban's 'Somebody Like You'. The opening verse says it all:

'There's a new wind blowin like I've never known, I'm breathing deeper than I've never known. And it sure feels good, to finally feel the way I do...."

During the run this morning I was thinking about some of my thoughts early in the C25K program, and made a note to read back on some of my 'first running' posts. Some of this stuff is great:

"Did I mention I am so NOT a runner? I have never run in my life. I have never been an athlete."

"It is so easy for me to say 'I can't do this' when I think about training for a 5K. Am I nuts? I have said I am NOT a runner...this is new, scary territory for me. I have been thinking about doing this for over a YEAR and fear of failing has kept me from taking the leap to just try it and see what happens."

"I'm happy to say I got through the first workout and (obviously) lived to tell about it! It was the perfect starting level for me, not too easy (lord no!), but just challenging enough"

"Well, I got through the first week of C25K! I couldn't be more pleased with myself! As I was falling asleep last night, I couldn't help but reflect on how much I accomplished by just 24 minutes of running."

"I started Week 2 C25K today, which increases the running intervals to 90 seconds, with a 2 minute recovery walk. (love that ha!) Of course this was the first thing on my mind when I opened my eyes this morning...'will I be able to do this'?"

"I felt a little fatigued today. Interesting how my days off from running are a bit of a downer!"

"I knew there would be days like this, so the important thing is that I did not quit"

"Next weeks' workouts have three minute runs....again I have the nagging doubts that I can seriously DO that..."

"I feel closer to a 'real' runner now that I can swing more than a 90 second jog!" (*snicker*)

"The best part of finishing Week 4 is that on the last 5 minute run, I just kept going, and ended up finishing up with an 8 minute interval!"

"It was only Thursday that I did the 8 minute runs with the 3 minute walk in between - I found it difficult to comprehend how I could possibly do 20 minutes straight! "But I did it!"

"Someday I will look back on this post and smile I'm sure...because I know I will only get better as time goes on!"

Yes, it is a great day for me. I am happy that I've come as far as I have in just 9 weeks. This is the first birthday in a long time that I truly look forward to good things in the next year of my life - and beyond!

For now, I am looking forward to hangin with my fam this evening and a fun weekend ahead with friends and family. There is truly much to be grateful for and I plan to celebrate!

Cheers All!