I was able to talk my wonderful wife and both kids into coming with me on my run tonight. I thought I’d warmup with them (5 min) and they’d head home while I continued on my way. They had different plans.

We started together, Elin and I broke ahead for a minute or two, and the warmup was complete. My Garmin (training plan) said to go into the 30 min active run and stay within the range of 9-11min/mile pace. “Easy peasy!” Elin and I both needed to turn this into a walk/run and average 14min/mi pace for the first half mile. I was proud she had gone this far with me!

I spoke too soon.

Elin and I turned around at Bobby’s driveway and started back. This is when the wheels started to come off for her. My legs seemed fine during this time, but I couldn’t just leave her… Could I? I did. Knowing Evonne and Axel were coming towards her, I took off to get back within the desired pace and managed to make it another quarter mile before needing to catch my breath and walk. All of a sudden, I heard foot steps behind me. Not the Brian Cunningham-type footsteps either. It was Elin. She got her wind back and caught me! We walked for a couple of telephone pole lengths and jogged some more.

When we were three poles from the driveway, she was out of gas. She claimed she was going to faint and throw up at the same time. I literally laughed out loud. I lightly jogged and encouraged her the rest of the way, hugged her, told her how proud of her I was, and took off to finish my test. She had just ran her first mile!

FINISH STRONG

When I left Elin and continued on my own, I had 13 minutes left of my test. I thought “I can make it to the highway (.5 miles) in six and a half minutes and then back.” I was able to walk/run and get back with a minute to spare.

I struggled with my numbers initially, but Evonne reminded me it was my first time back out and to just stick with it. I appreciated that more than she knows. I’ve now got my initial tests behind me and I’m looking forward to being back in the pool tomorrow.

Moving forward, I hope to post weekly so I can look back at where I came from and maybe inspire others to get fit for whatever personal reason they may have. Mine is to be able to ski and be active with my kids into their adult life. Here’s to everyone’s journey! SKOL!

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