Better Late Than Never

I sit here at 1:44 am loving and hating all at once.
I asked myself many times after work if I really wanted to run tonight.
I knew I needed to- I've been putting it off out of exhaustion and need to see my children.
Tonight I had no excuses other than it being late.
I knew it had to be done, or I could officially say I'd fallen off the bandwagon.

So at 12:59, my partner and I left the house.
We continued as planned with a brisk 5 minute walk.
Jabbering about nerdy hobbies caught us a minute off guard and 5 became 6.
Then on our trusty "no downhill" route, we hit the first jog.
And I did it again.
I ran.
Why did I run?
I had to.
Words cannot describe the feeling in me that said "Don't jog- JUST RUN."
So I did as the inner beast demanded- and it felt good.
I kept running, light on my feet with a bounce in my steps the whole first half.

There was no burning sensation in my breathing until after our first 4 runs.
Then of course I began having to raise my arms to breathe properly.
It was my fault really, for not sticking with the "jog"- but I just couldn't help it.
I needed a few extra seconds of rest after the 4th and 6th runs so that I was able to properly slow my breathing and lower my arms.
Then came the last run and my stomach began to react negatively to all the real running I'd been doing. The burps kept coming and the acid started to churn. (I guess thats why they tell you to STICK TO JOGGING!) So when I was able to stop and breathe I had to catch my breath bent over, hands on knees and trying not to gurgle anymore.
The walk home was amusing as always, my body knowing that home meant a nice cool rinse and a place to rest the feet- but also knowing that we could easily rest the feet if I just sat down on the pavement then and there. Needless to say, I made it home on achy feet and stretched before I came inside. I made sure to stretch my midsection, opening my lungs and guaranteeing a cramp free night.
I came inside the house then and got my robe, stripped in the laundry room- threw the clothes in the washer and took a nice 3 minute rinse down in cool crisp water. (It was like high school swimming class all over again.)

In the end, my 1am run was totally worth it... seeing as I am now DONE with week 1!!!
That means come Tuesday I will be starting Week 2 Day 1- 90 seconds running, 2 minutes walking.

It's going to be a blast!

-Lisa