I’M A DUMMY

I think I did something really really really really dumb. I told my sister, Kristen, that I would participate in a marathon in May. Before you become all impressed with my ability to run 26 miles, it’s a marathon relay. Four members of the team each run about 6.5 miles. I think it’s in May, and I think it’s in Rochester, Minn. See! I don’t even know all of the details of the event, and I signed up! How dumb am I? Not to mention, I haven’t really run in awhile. The last time I hit the treadmill was about a month ago, and since then, I’ve found numerous of excuses not to return.

Six miles isn’t really that long, right? Well, if you’re driving in a car … it’s not that bad. But hoofin’ it by foot … that’s another story. The last time I hit the treadmill, I walked/ran for a little over a mile … and I was exhausted by the time I stepped off the treadmill. Oddly enough, my body didn’t scream at me the next day, telling me that I’m a dummy for exercising. Anyway, I kind of forgot about my participation in the marathon relay and then realized that I really need to get into shape.

The last time I seriously ran was before I started dating Charlie. And I am not ashamed to totally blame him for my loss of interest in running when we started dating. I totally blame him. 100 percent. Come on! Would you rather run in the bitter cold or play Scrabble in the warm living room with hot chocolate? Hmmmmmmm. That’s a tough choice to make. Would you rather run in the bitter cold or dine out at Olive Garden with unlimited soup and breadsticks? Why, yes, I would love some more breadsticks with my meal. Thank you.

Here’s the really sad part about this story … my new place of employment even has a GYM! It’s free. And I get PAID to work out. Up to three hours a week, I get paid to work out. And have I taken advantage of this benefit? Yes. I have spent a total of three hours working out at the gym since the beginning of September. Yes, I am a dummy. Go ahead and tell me I’m an idiot for not taking better advantage of this wonderful health benefit. I already know I’m an idiot and I’m not afraid to say it out to the world. I’m an idiot.

So, starting today, I am heading to the gym to run/walk on the treadmill and then maybe using the stationary bike. And training for this marathon relay will be my New Year’s resolution. Not only will I be able to run 6.5 miles, but I will run it in a decent time. Yes, I can run six miles right now … it will just take me six hours. Maybe seven. I think if I start training now, I can work my way to running 6.5 miles by the end of May. That’s a good New Year’s resolution, right? By the way, I don’t think I’m going to complete this New Year’s resolution … but that’s another blog.