I've always been an aspirational runner. One who wants to love running and have running love her like I see with so many of my friends and even my husband.
And yet, every time I attempt to get into it I just can't do it - I get bored, I get winded, I feel dejected. And any of the steady progress that might get me to actually that place runners rave about dwindles.
But lately, I've found myself running in my sunny, leafy California neighborhood. Just putting my shoes on and doing a decidedly unremarkable 1 minute running; 1 minute walking… for 5 running segments out and 5 back. Each time, my goal to get 3 houses further than the day before.
It's simple - I can neither overthink it or negotiate with myself over it. And it's doable - for me. Because in a minute of running I'm never "far from a ledge". Like in swimming when you set out from one side, to a distance just comfortably in sight but just a challenge away, this makes me feel like I'm never far from the walking bit…
Even the 5 segments out feel simple and doable and before I know it, I've turned around and started heading home, the hardest parts behind me.
I don't know if I'll ever become a Runner. But I'm feeling joy that for now, I've found a way just to be a runner.