Am I a Runner Yet?

I am not a runner.  I have never been a runner.  But I am trying to convince my body that after twenty some years of neglect, it can become a runner.

I got really good shoes and a really good watch and I signed up for a half marathon.  People say you need to set a really big goal and train for it.  People say that if you start slow and build yourself up, you can do it.  People say you are never too old.  I might be talking to the wrong people.

For three months, I have been running (well, walking and jogging) about three days a week.  That alone is pretty monumental for me.  I started with the run three minutes, walk three minutes drill and just kept going.  I still do intervals of running and walking, but I can do it for longer and go farther.  I’ve actually made it six miles on three separate occasions.  Most days I do four, but I can do six on the right day and with the right music.

This weekend, one of my running buddies and I are going to try to do eight miles.  People say that once you do eight, you “break through the wall” and you just feel great.  Breaking through a wall does not sound great to me.  Actually, every time I run part of me (usually my ankles) feels like I have broken through a wall.  That’s why I am not a runner.  Breaking through a wall hurts.  Who are these people and why do I listen to them?

Still, I am going to try it.  It is two miles closer to the 13 I am supposed to do three months from now.  If I do eight, then can I call myself a runner?  Maybe I’ll just be calling myself a doctor… or finding a good bartender.