As a child, I vividly remember watching runners jog by my car window as my little legs dangled from my booster seat. They looked so strong, so powerful, so determined, so free. I thought to myself, “I want to be one of those people someday.” One of those runners in neon-colored shorts, a tank top whipping around in the air like an American flag, drenched in sweat heading in any direction they so choose for however long they desire.

Fast forward to today. While I now drive myself around, I continue admiring runners outside the car window…and I have yet to become one of them. But that’s all changing. After having my second child, at the age of 36, I’ve decided to take up running for a handful of reasons:

1. I’ve always admired the strength, power, and commitment
2. Being a runner gives you ownership on your workout routine that few other workouts do (see 3-5)
3. It requires no commute
4. You can run any time, on your own schedule
5. You can run anywhere
6. I love a new challenge
7. I need to lose the baby weight
8. I’ve always wanted to be one of those people

So how am I tackling this? With an app, of course. My goal is to be able to run a 5k so I’m using the C25k or 5k Runner app – both apps created to help non-runners become runners. It coaches you as you build up to longer runs resulting in a 5k. And to get even more motivated, I created a group on Strava which anyone can join so we can all push each other – you can join here.

Who is down to take up running with me?!