That first mile is a b*tch!

There. I said it. And I'll say it again, just for emphasis: THAT FIRST MILE IS A NASTY B!

I don't care if you've been running for 10 years, 10 months, or 10 days... That first mile, whether in a regular training run or a race, is downright awful.

Every day, I go out for my run, and during that first mile I feel like a frail, old man with emphysema... After that, all is right with the world again, but shouldn't the first mile be the easiest?

I'm currently mentoring (I don't know if I can call it that, 'cuz it's not like I'm a pro - or even that good, for that matter) another person at running, and she's starting out as a complete non-runner. So tackling that first non-stop mile is HARD. I remember it clearly. It was a major milestone in my running, and I'm sure it was for you too. So again, that first mile is a b*tch.

After my surgery, I thought that first mile was going to KILL ME!! In fact, I was pretty darn sure I was dying, and would never be able to run any farther than my mailbox ever again. But of course, I got past it, and kept putting one foot in front of the other.

Every race I've done, the first mile is EXCRUCIATING... Am I going too fast? Too slow? I have HOW MANY MORE MILES TO GO???? Whose idea was this, anyway???

But tonight, I'm going to thank that Nasty B because she's taught me one thing: Life is just like running - you have to find a way to keep moving forward and suck it up. It'll get easier.

I think Lance Armstrong sums it up best: "Me and running don't always see eye to eye. Some days it hurts more than others, but it doesn't mean I don't do it - I deal with it, and I keep running because not everything that is good for you always feels good for you."

Has anyone seen my mojo? Or my toes?

Ugh!!! I cannot find my motivation to run - and my waistline is starting to show it!!!

I had every intention of kicking off a killer 10 week training program for the E.T. Midnight Marathon, and then ramping up my times so that I could B.Q., but lately, I cannot find the motivation to do it. And I know I'm going to kick my own ass if I miss out on qualifying this year.... Sigh...

And this morning, I'm pretty sure my tummy was sticking out so far I couldn't see my toes! Even the thought of squeezing into my wedding dress isn't motivating me!!! Help!!!

Any good tips on finding motivation?? I was so bummed for so long that I couldn't run, and now I can - and don't want to?!?! Somebody help me!!!