This running thing

So a while ago—holy crap, coming up on two years?—I started running as a form of exercise. I'd been working out for a while, mostly elliptical and some machines at my gym, and while that was helpful, it didn't help get rid of some extra flab or build muscle. (I know health isn't determined just by pounds, but when there's not much noticeable difference in any form...) So I started doing the Couch-to-5k program. It took more than the official two months the program schedules, since I'd stick on one segment until I felt ready to move on, but eventually I got there, and I actually have run a couple of 5ks now. (The first one was a better time. This summer, I slacked off on running and the weather was very humid and heavy.)

I've never been a runner. Did it for a couple years in middle school, short and long distances both, and really didn't enjoy it. It was physically unfun and mentally boring. Tennis was much more engaging. But like I keep explaining to people, I started running recently because I'm actually lazy. No, it makes sense! I got more bang for my buck with running. 30 minutes of jogging a couple times a week got bigger results than 30 minutes of elliptical a couple times a week. So I might have to put more effort into it while I'm exercising, but I can go home sooner and be lazy. But I don't like running, I've said. It's just an efficiency thing, that's all.

This week I did my first five-mile run.

I don't think I can use that excuse anymore.