Running, part 1 :-)

Hello lovelies!

Hope your weekend was great!

Mine was, although for some strange reason I woke up at 4am on Sunday (after going to bed at 12:30am...) Since sleep didn't seem to be an option, I decided to go for my daily run. I wrote before how amazing it is to ocasionally surprise yourself and my journey into running definitely fits this category. Every time I go out there, I seem to be able to run a bit more and for a longer stretch of time. My heart rate calms down quicker and my breath is more steady. Overall, it's an activity I'm really looking forward to! (unlike the prospect of having to work out at the gym...)

The cow doesn't go running with me but she likes to sneak into some of my pics... ;-)

I've recently read an interesting article about running in "Cosmopolitan Body" (No. 6). It's entitled 'I'd love to run, but...' and covers all the most common excuses we give ourselves when contemplating shifting our bums off the sofa and getting out there. I can definitely relate to some of them, especially the first one: "I'm not fit enough". I always hated running (even as s child) and blamed it on my lack of stamina. After the first proper run, however, I realized that I'm fitter than I thought I was. Besides, it doesn't have to be all about running, you can walk a bit and run a bit, whatever you're able to do. Cosmo recommends a walk:jog ratio of 3:1 - "(...) briskly walk for three minutes [or between three lamp-posts] and run the fourth" ("Cosmopolitan Body", p.56) And if undermining all our excuses wasn't enough, we also get a list of reasons why running is good for you: 

1. It makes you happy (I can vouch for that!)

2. It helps you sleep

3. It reduces stress

4. It strengthens your immune system

5. It improves your skin

("Cosmopolitan Body", p.57)

   www.cosmopolitan.co.uk

So there you have it - no excuses and a list of pros :-) Let me get one thing clear, however - your very first run (especially if you haven't been working out for a veeeery long time, like myself) will feel awkward and embarrassing. You'll think that everybody is looking at you, at your less than perfect body and at how tired and out of breath you are. But let me get another thing clear - in reality, NOBODY CARES and very quickly you won't either. Chances are, they will actually envy you the courage and resolve. So go out there and have fun! :-)

Domo.

P.S. I'll do a separate post on running gear :-)