Feel the Burn!

About a year ago, I started getting into exercising much more seriously than I have before. So serious that I actually joined a gym and have gone three times a week pretty much every week since. I even became a fitness instructor! What got me into exercising you ask? ZUMBA!!! I went to my first class as a support system for my sister-in-law and I never looked back. Eventually, Zumba wasn't enough. I wanted to challenge myself more. My friend told me he was doing the Insanity workout program and I thought to myself, "Sounds awesome!" (What was I thinking?!) It actually has been quite awesome. My endurance is up, my muscle strength is up, my exhaustion level is up. It has totally been worth it.

But, again, that just hasn't been enough. One of my friends at the gym told me she signed up for a race and somehow convinced me to do the same. I am now signed up to participate in the 2012 Run Amuck. It's 3.5 miles through Quantico Marine Corps Base and includes various obstacles such as a tire run, an A-frame wall, mud pits, and a fire hose. I'm actually really, really excited about this race. There's only one problem: I'm not a runner. I have not been able to run a mile since elementary school. The last time I did any type of running was about 8 months ago in the form of a 5K. I walked a majority of it. However, knowing I was signed up for this race, I figured I should get a baseline in my running ability so I can gauge my progress while preparing for this race. Shock of all shocks, I ran a 15 minute mile today! Even better, if I wasn't in a time crunch I could have run EVEN MORE!!! This was a huge milestone for me! (Pun absolutely intended...)

Bottom line: Exercising more has made me feel better and is now allowing me to do things I never thought I'd ever be able to do. I never thought I'd be able to survive Insanity (I still have another month to go...). I also never thought I'd be able to run and enjoy it! Who knows what's in store for me in the future? What have I got to lose?