Starting my day off right.

Before I begin this post there is some background information you need to know... I am by no means a runner. In fact any time I try to 'run' (it's really more like a slow jog) my throat turns into a horrendous dry ice tunnel & my chest burns like mad. Add in my asthma and it's as if I have an elephant sitting on my chest. Dramatic much? Yes. But for any of you who are in a similar boat you know exactly what I'm talking about! Well, a couple weeks ago I got the idea in my head that I wanted to challenge myself -- 30 miles in 30 days. Now for all of you runners that's not really much but for me I knew it would be a big feat. So I decided come October 1st I would cover a mile a day. I say 'cover' because I knew it would take me a little while before I could actually jog the entire mile without walking a little bit here and there (my neighborhood is full of hills). Plus I knew this would help keep me from making excuses...if I'm ever sick or not feeling well enough to jog the mile then I can walk it. BAM, no excuses not to do it. So here I am 8 days in and I have completed 9.74 miles! That's over a mile a day :) "That's great Lauren but why are you telling me this?" Well I'm writing this post for two reasons... 1) I know it will help keep me accountable and, 2) I feel like this could help motivate others who need a little push to do something they've been putting on the back-burner for a while now. I wanted to do this challenge because for as much as I hate running I knew it would be good for me. What has become the best benefit to this daily run/jog is that I have so much more time to myself in the morning and it really gets my day started off on the right foot (no pun intended). I have been waking up at 5:45 (before the sun is even out!) every morning to do this. I'm sure that sounds absolutely crazy but when I'm done I get to enjoy my morning. Have quiet time. Pray. Read. Make and enjoy my breakfast. Chat with my roommate. Have some coffee. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? I have fallen in love with my new routine. I get more done throughout the day, am less lethargic & much happier! And even though I thought running through the hills of my neighborhood would be the death of me it has and keeps getting easier with each day. I have grown to look forward to it *gasp* every morning! So there you have it friends...a little personal update. I hope it motivates you to do something you've been thinking about but have put off time and time again (whether it's working out or something entirely different). This challenge has become the gateway for me to take control of my day and I'm excited to keep up with it :) I leave you with a picture (via iPhone) from my weekend in Washington. Hugs,Lauren