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The last time I updated you was the end of Week 5. Since then, I’ve accomplished quite a bit!! Here’s a little update.

To catch you up:

On January 22nd, 2010, I announced to my blog audience that I was actually going to start running. And, according to my Twitter tweeps, if I announce it on my blog, I’d better follow through. So, thank you for holding me accountable, friends. You have NO idea how motivating it is to know that I will have to come report my success or failure to you!

On Week 3, I shared my discovery of the Couch to 5k Podcasts that I downloaded for free at iTunes. Sure, the music is cheesy, but it is very motivating to hear, “You’re doing great! Just 2 more minutes!” I highly recommend those podcasts by Robert Ullrey, especially if you are going to start running by yourself.

On Week 5, I showed you my cute new shoes and hat! You must have the right accessories, especially if you are a REAL RUNNER!! Yes, I think I became a real runner at the end of the first month.

The evidence:

• I no longer feel the need to crawl back into bed at 10:30am. I finally got my energy back. For some reason, I expected to have all kinds of energy from exercising. I was trying to figure it out the first few weeks and finally decided that I felt like crap because I wasn’t drinking enough water or eating enough food. So, I don’t diet, even though I mentioned (but did not promise!) that I might start a diet. I just can’t. I eat right, but I can’t do the diet thing or I have NO energy at all.
• I have learned that food is fuel, so I must eat! I’m SO down with that! Hee, hee! Seriously, though, I was pooped the entire first month of running. I slept GREAT, though. I was told that this is pretty normal and that after about a month I would get my energy back. AND, taking my vitamins and drinking plenty of water is CRITICAL. For now, I eat my proteins and fill up on high-fiber stuff like beans and veggies, and have really cut back on not-so-healthy stuff . . . except the Thin Mints. I can’t stay away from those blasted Girl Scout Cookies. Argh.
• My muffin-top is going away. I thought it would never happen, but it actually is going away! It’s not completely gone, mind you. There is still evidence of being a mommy peeking over the top of my jeans, however it is SO much better than it was! This is very encouraging! I plan on having a tight little runner’s bod by June 23rd (my 34th birthday). It will happen. Oh, yes. It will. In my mind, losing weight is a fun by-product of becoming a runner. When I first started running, I weighed almost 10 pounds more than I did when I got pregnant with each boy. NOT good. I am now back down to my pre-pregnancy weight . . . although this is still at least 6 pounds more than I want to weigh, and 14 pounds more than I weighed when I got married (which is probably an unattainable goal, ’cause I was a little hottie . . . but wouldn’t that be cool?). Bottom line: I’m losing weight slowly, and I feel great!
• I think about running ALL the time. I’m obsessed with it. I want to run a lot. THIS IS CRAZY. Seriously crazy.

Two months ago, the thought of running for 5 whole minutes was paralyzing. It was just NOT gonna happen. I was exhausted and gasping for breath after one minute. I was a true couch potato.

However, I followed the program, and now I am able to run for at least 28 minutes with no stops. In fact, on Monday I ran for over 28 minutes, even though I was only supposed to be running for 25. This morning, I was only supposed to run for 28 minutes, but I felt great, so I ran for 30 minutes. AND, I’ve been picking up the pace! This is SO exciting for me!

I still have the rest of Week 8 (28 minute runs) and Week 9 (30 minute runs) until I am officially done with the Couch to 5k program, at which point I will work on my speed. I am so proud that I am actually following through with this!! I sincerely hope that this means a lifestyle change for me.

Now, I’ve heard some talk on Facebook that a couple of you are thinking about taking up the Couch to 5k challenge. Are you in?