To Begin With....

            To begin with, I’ve never considered myself a runner. I’ve always wanted to be a runner. I’ve always wanted to be the kind of person who wakes up and the first thing I do to start my day is go for a run. Last year, I became that person. It was as simple as finding a running buddy, lacing up and heading out to pound pavement. It’s been nearly a year and I’m still on two days a week with said running buddy. The other five days kind of sucked, though. I felt, to quote Cher Horowitz, “impotent and out of control” on the days when I didn’t get a run in. So, I started going on one other day a week and then, eventually, four days a week. This isn’t to say I was religious about it all year, but I could feel it when I missed a run here and there. Both in my body and in my mind.

            This year, I found this challenge from www.ilovetorun.org to run 1,000 miles in 2016. I thought it would be a perfect way to ensure I maintain my four-day a week running schedule as well as a neat way to challenge myself. The great thing about running is that it’s taught me a lot about life and overcoming. I’ve found a lot of parallels between the two and so I want to share them with my readers as I accomplish my new goal. I will be publishing a column once a month in BLANK newspaper, as well as keeping you filled in here on the blog, newly named “M1les T0 G0.”

            My goal with the blog is to inspire but also to hold myself accountable, not only with the challenge, but also with my writing. I want you guys to keep me accountable as well as share your own challenges and goals. I want this to be interactive. Email and Facebook me and we’ll go on this adventure together. No, you don’t have to run 1,000 miles BUT I’m sure there’s something you’d like to challenge yourself to do. So…. Let’s do it together!

Very appropriately, one of my Accountability Buddies posted on Facebook today a motivational photo with the quote “If not now, then when?” And, I guess that’s my question for you…. Whether, you choose to embark on a challenge of your own or simply follow my progress, I look forward to spending the year with you. On your marks!

Goal for 2016: 1,000 miles

Year to date:    17 miles

Miles to go:     983 miles