I’m going to run a 5k.

Like a pregnant woman, I felt it was best not to say anything until I was positively sure and committed to the cause before I told anyone. I didn’t even want to write this out loud – what if I changed my mind? You can’t just go around announcing things like this and then not following through with it. But I’ve gone and done it and now you’ve read it so it’s too late to take it back. (Side note: that pregnancy metaphor wasn’t meant to wind up sounding like an abortion.)

Awkward.

Anyway, I haven’t set a date yet but I’m two weeks into the Couch to 5k program…and for the first time in my life, I’m not dreading climbing aboard a treadmill. Don’t tell anyone but I actually kind of like it.

To be honest, I’m not sure I could do Couch to 5k without the iPhone app though. On my own, I’d probably get through 1.5 songs before getting bored, distracted, or hungry and wind up at Qdoba instead. With the app, a nice lady comes on and tells me when it’s time to run, walk, cool down and when I’m half-way through. I tell myself that she’ll scream horrible things at me if I quit early. In my head, she sounds like the evil white witch from the Narnia movie and tells me I’m going to end up with saddlebags for thighs.

But so far, that hasn’t happened.

Tomorrow I complete week two, leaving a mere SEVEN more to go. This may sound a little dramatic considering I completed a (MINI) triathlon only weeks ago. It’s not.

The triathlon was for fun. And there were things that I think are fun involved, like biking and swimming. The 5k part? I walked most of it and cursed the whole time. Despite my obsession with completing things, I’m not looking for a sense of accomplishment this time. I’m simply trying to find the joy in running.

There a great number of people who I respect in life that love running. They say it clears their mind. They have great ideas and experience runner’s highs. None of those things have happened yet but I’m going to keep trying.

I guess I’m just looking for some level of understanding. That, and I don’t want saddlebags for thighs.

You can follow my also follow my Couch to 5k adventure on Twitter: @lesalina.