Unlike most love affairs, it started off slow. It took several years to grow into something very passionate. However, like many affairs, one party took the other for granted and became abusive. The love affair had to come to an end.

The love affair I’m referring to is my relationship with running. I will talk about it a lot in both the past and future tenses, as I plan to get it back. That is, after I prove myself worthy.

I was not always a runner. My oldest friends will tell you that the closest I ever got to being a runner was “fake running” past a cute neighbor’s house to see if he was outside. In fact, I was never really an athlete. Kickball, dance, 7th grade basketball B Team, a few weeks of high school softball and drill team were the extent of my childhood athletic endeavors. I just figured it wasn’t my “thing”.

Shortly after I graduated college and got my first “big girl job” I decided it was time I get healthy. However, I had never stepped foot in a gym before. Seriously. Never. I imagined a world full of size 00’s and testostoerone-fueled meat heads lifting heavy and drinking protein. Everyone would look at me and laugh.

I decided to try my apartment gym instead. It was perfect. It looked like no one had used it in years. The machines were dusty and unplugged. I thought surely no one would find me and laugh at me there. It was safe. I decided the treadmill looked the simplest to operate. With my first generation iPod in hand and Judge Judy playing in the background, my love affair began.

I started off slow. Looking back, I’m sure I was doing 10 minute miles, but it didn’t matter. I started running for one song and slowly built up to two, then three, etc. For a couple of years I ran a few times a week for a few songs. I looked forward to my time in that dingy gym. While I don’t think I was losing much weight, it was an effective stress-reliever and I felt good. I was starting to understand what this “workout craze” was all about.

Eventually I felt confident enough to join a “real gym”. I chose one of the “big-box” gyms and stuck to my trusty treadmill. Again, a few times a week my after-work happy hours turned into a 30 minute run. The gym proved to be better people-watching than the airport. I not only felt like I belonged, but I enjoyed it.

You will soon understand how this love affair came to an end. However, it began in a very healthy way. If you’re thinking of adding running to your workout repertoire, easing into it is key to avoiding injury. Because running is such a natural form of exercise, people assume they can start off strong. I’ve learned that it’s harder on your body than most other forms of exercise and you should treat it as such (including supplementing with strength training and EATING ENOUGH).

I also want to note that you should never be ashamed to join a gym. There are so many positive and encouraging places to get healthy (the right way). It doesn’t have to be about transforming into a certain size or burning calories after a night of overindulgence. Just do your research.

XoXo

Katie