Runners' High

So there we were, chatting away about life and the universe as only a mother and daughter can, when she revealed that she had dropped a dress size all over and that when we met up again, I was going to be greeted by a slim and shapely size 8/10!

Now I love Catriona dearly, however just at that moment….I was feeling very strange and unusual feelings towards her and they were not at all kind or maternal! I am not stupid enough to want to compete with someone, who is three decades my junior – well not in the dress size department anyway – however, what I heard spurred me on to compete with myself.

I had just thirty days to cause a total revolution in my lifestyle….and boy do I love a challenge! Well, that was thirty days ago and looking back I can only say… WoW!

I really never thought that I could or would run a mile! Me? The last time I ran for anything other than a bus was years ago, at Dunoon Grammar School; I had been a very good sprinter, well that was until I found boys and they brought my athletics career to an abrupt halt! Nonetheless, once upon a time I had done some running and I do know the principles of goal setting. So I got started…

Now when I began I did not have the target of jogging a mile…I just wanted to add fitness to my new sensible eating routine and I was a girl on a mission – I too wanted to drop a dress size and not just on a whim, this time I wanted to maintain it for life!

For the first ten days I just walked faster and faster. That was easy…I bought some wrist weights and did some exercises of arm raising and twisting as I walked. That must have made the neighbours laugh maybe they thought I was practising for takeoff and landing. Not that I cared…I was so focused on being fit for Catriona’s return that I did not give a jot what anyone might think. Next I added an evening cycle ride two or three times a week to my activity sheet…only half an hour or so…and not too strenuous.

It was recommended that I purchase a sports bra for comfort. Plus I realised that I had to go at a slower pace – I was no longer the 100 yard sprinter and winner of school medals at Kirn Primary School. I was a jogger!

About two weeks ago, I started to jog a few hundred yards and then each day I just ran a bit further… just one more lamppost…or to another tree …or to the next red car…and so I pushed my stamina levels up and up. I simply focused on the next achievable target. Was I enjoying it? Not really… but I was on a mission remember? I knew I was making progress when last Sunday, I ran further that I had ever dreamed possible! And so on the same afternoon I went out and did it again – just in case it was a fluke! And I was smiling to myself all the way. I was beginning to doubt my sanity. I’d always thought joggers were a bit mad.

Last night, for the first time in my life I jogged from doorstep to doorstep - the distance of one mile! How amazing is that?! I am so delighted and pleased with my success I just had to share it with you… granted when I got back my lungs were heaving, my was face flushed red and the thought of cardiac arrest did flash through my mind. But I had done it!

I’d always thought that jogging was not for me. But now I realise that this was just because I believed that I would not be able to do it. When it came down to a false belief versus a very strong desire it was a light bulb moment… bingo! And I had a need.

I strongly encourage you to raise your bar in the realm of personal fitness, as I feel fantastic! Maybe what I experienced is the ‘runners' high’- the production of endorphins, which make you feel fabulous. Try it! Get jogging! You need to feel as great as I do…