W2D4: Proud

I went to Body Pump class tonight and skipped Core Conditioning.  After leaving the gym, I rushed home (as much as I could rush with all the stoplights and traffic) so I could go for my W2D4 run.  It was getting dark, and the thought of running when twilight was fading struck me as somewhat foolish, but I reasoned that my neighborhood is still fairly safe.  Street lights are evenly spaced on all streets, and I avoided the places where street lights left gaps of darkness.  The sidewalks all pass in front of people's homes--families--who mean me no harm.  Many of the neighbors who were getting in their cars to go somewhere or returning from work or wherever took time to nod or say hi as I passed.

The run itself was not difficult until the end, especially when I ventured to run uphill.  I didn't avoid this, as I have been doing, because I can feel a slight improvement in my endurance after the strenuous effort.  My goal is to run continuously, and if I go ahead and include hills and inclines in my training early on, they won't be so daunting and intimidating later.  They will be the norm.  Raleigh has slight hills wherever you go--some larger than others--you know being in the Foot Hills and all.  Maybe one day I will graduate to running around one of the many lakes or trails in the area.

I shouldn't sing my own praises for fear of inflating my head and ego, but I am very proud of myself.  I have actually stuck to this training when my habit is usually to quit.  What surprises me most is the desire to do it.  Who would have thought that *I* would choose to run?  I can actually see myself going for a run several times a week during the summer.  Will I brave the winter running, though?  Hmm...  I have 3 more seasons before I have to make that decision.  OH.  The bigger question is probably 'Will I brave the summer running?'  Yep.  Definitely the bigger question.