How I did it: All my life, I hated running. When I was a kid, I didn't run. As I got older, I never ever ran. For a solid 15 years of my life, I didn't even own a pair of shoes I could run in.

In January of 2011, I realized my life had to change. I joined a gym, hired a trainer, and started working out. "Weights only, please," I said, "no cardio." But as my body changed, I found my outlook changing. Providing myself with the right fuel, I discovered stores of energy that I didn't know existed. And then the day came when I found myself wanting to do cardio.

Running just makes sense. Everyone I know who runs thinks it's the greatest thing known to man. So I, the gal who swore she'd never run, went out one day for a jog.

And now I'm hooked.

I marked this as complete while still working on finishing hthe Couch to 5k program, because I am a runner.

How do you know when you're a runner? You're a runner if you run.

Lessons & tips:

Resources:

• Get good shoes
• Have a plan
• Have someone who will cheer you on
• Never. Ever. Give up.
• If you give up, start again.

May 18, 2012, 06:55AM PDT | 2 comments | 14 cheers