You're so intense!

Dear Reader,

If you would have asked me to go running last year, I would have given you the side eye at your bad joke. Fast forward to the present, when I ask people to run with me (even some people who would consider themselves runners), I'm the one getting the side eye.

It seems as though just about everyone in this small town has seen me running through the streets, up and down hills, and either (sometimes) rain or sunshine. Many people make comments to me about my regularly scheduled, running-related Facebook status updates. People know that my weekends are dedicated, from now until the first weekend in April, to running/races/training. But when someone talks about going out for a run, and I want to join in, I often get, "But you're so intense. I'd be embarassed to run with you. I can't keep up." To that, I question, "Who's intense? Me?!"

Have I officially crossed over to become a "runner"? Clearly, everyone around me thinks that I'm some sort of life-long running devotee. I, on the other hand, still don't consider myself a "runner"...yet. I'm too new at running to be considered "intense". I have not built up the stamina, the love, and the dedication to the sport. My friend from yesterday's post who is training for a 100 mile race, CPT, now she's a runner. My friends training for the full Two Oceans Marathon (56km) are runners. I've not yet reached the point where a thirty minute run is considered "easy"...like it is describe on Hal Higdon's beginner's marathon training plan. There are no "easy" 10 mile runs over on my side of the street. No matter if I'm running a 5km or a half marathon, it's all hard work in my book. When those distances become "easy", that's when I'll earn the label of "runner" and "too intense".

So if you're interested in going on a 10 minute walk, a 20 minute walk/run, hill practice, or more...don't be shy...invite me along. Cause I'm still learning too!

Until next time...one foot in front of the other...keep it movin'!

Yours (still) in (hill) training,

Dani

P.S: I'd like to give two thumbs up to Linesiya for getting out in the cold to pound the pavement. FTTE, I know that when you put your mind to something, you can do anything! BIG HIGH 5's to Marti and Dave as they start out on their bike trip across the southern US of A! Goooo Team!!!