You CAN run, if you want to.

I think that people don't give themselves enough credit. Don't let your weight (I was 40 lbs heavier when I started) stop you. Don't allow yourself to dwell in the world of CAN'T. Because the truth is, unless you have a medical condition, you CAN. But only if you want to.

Are you overweight and a bit of a slug? Have you become uncomfortable in your own skin? That's the point I'd reached after my third baby was born. I didn't recognize my own body when I saw it in a mirror. I didn't choose my outfits because they were cute, I choose them because they hid this and covered that. I wanted a change. I wanted my outside to match the tough, sexy chick I am on the inside.

I'd done Nutrisystem for a couple of months and yes, it certainly took a few pounds off. I started playing volleyball (my favorite, favorite sport) and it took off a couple more. But I needed to burn some serious calories. A girlfriend of mine had done the Couch to 5K program last summer, and did really well with it. I checked it out online and decided to give the treadmill version of it a try. Starting in April 2011, I worked my way through the program. I did it on my treadmill in the basement. I loaded a Couch to 5K app on my iPad that told me when to run and when to walk and I read books or watched movies while I did it. Some days I literally hung on to the bars and let the treadmill do all the work. Some days I let go of the bars and actually ran.

And so the weeks passed. I signed up for my first 5K at the end of August. When race day came, I'd only trained on a treadmill with one 2 mile run outside. My first race sucked. It was muggy and hot (August, duh!) and it took me a whopping 41 minutes to complete it. That first race also opened my eyes to how much fun racing could be, and how all types and ages of poeple ran. So I signed up for a September race and vowed to only run outside. My second race was around 36 minutes. I decided I liked how running made me feel. I liked feeling strong and capable. I liked the changes in my body. I even liked the cute running outfits! My third 5K came in at 34 minutes, and I set my sights on a November 10K. If you read this blog, you know how that turned out.

And now? I call myself a runner. I take pride in my accomplishments so far and believe I can acheive even more. Do I think I have what it takes to complete a half and even a full marathon? Why yes, I believe I do. I also love that my enthusiasm for running is catchy, that other women feel empowered to give it a shot themselves.

Don't let anyone tell you that you can't. Don't let YOU tell you that you can't. Because the truth is, you can. You just have to want to.