Looking for the sofa at the end of the marathon

All together now. lay on the sofa in a horizontal position, now with your right hand reach out toward the coffee table. Stretch until you have your hand firmly wrapped around the remote, now surf.

That's been my exercise regime until last fall when a friend gently encouraged me by threatening to call my phone and knock on my door until I got off my butt. Eventually I did. Now I'm running in a marathon. Holy crap how did that happen?

When I was younger I was in pretty good shape. As a kid I never really thought about it, I just ran around and played tag. As a teenager I went to dances, roller skating, and because there was no texting I had to walk to see my friends. As I got older I did a little kid chasing, yes a little, and some Boot Scoot and Boogieing at the Wild Hearts Saloon. Eventually things changed and as my butt got bigger my desire to stay in shape got smaller - life's unfair that way. I never replaced that natural calorie-burning energy into 'on purpose' physical fitness, so here I am 45-years-old with two kids to chase making getting in shape kind of a necessity.

I started walking around the track at Met Field last September. My kind, encouraging coach suggested I run it. Mid laugh I looked up to see he was serious. I ran halfway around the track and fell down. The first time I ran a full lap I did a Rocky dance and then fell down. I kept going and little by little felt my endurance begin to build. It's been eight months since that day in September.

Fast forward to May 23, 2010.

Over 9,000 people ran in the Blue Nose Marathon this year, and I was one of them. The 5k is a run/walk so there were many children, parents pushing strollers and elderly people, but with all due respect there were also elderly people running the full marathon. My goal was to run it and I did! Even at the water stations I grabbed the water while I was running and threw it on myself - not such a smart thing to do when you're really thirsty, but I've seen marathon runners on TV do it and I wanted to look cool like them. I also threw the cup down on the ground like everyone else - I was a Rock Star! Seriously, never in a million years did I think I would do this. I felt like I was going to die, but I didn't. I'm very proud of myself and I'm already thinking about next year, I think I'll do the 10k. I hear there are more water stations, you get to go over the bridge and you get a big hug and kiss when they give you your medal.

Note: There are no sofas at a marathon. Not even at the finish line.

*This year I ran for the Provincial Autism Centre. There are many walk/runs this year, including the Relay for Life in Lower Sackville on June 11, so find a worthy cause and go for it. Hey, if I can do it anyone can - seriously.