Getting back on the running wagon.

This afternoon I managed to tear myself away from my DVRed shows and go for a run. It was energizing and nauseating all at the same time. Beyond the sheer physical endurance of running, I forgot how much of it is mental, - during this particular run I did a lot of talking myself into going just one more block, just two more minutes, a couple more steps. Here are a few tips to keep you going:

Put together a great playlist on your iPod: Music helps you to keep pace and keep going. It's amazing how a song can pump you up motivate you to run just a little bit longer. Some of my favorite (albeit, cheesy) songs on my running playlist:

“Lose Yourself” Eminem
“Tom Sawyer” Rush
“Halo” Beyonce
“Welcome to the Jungle” Guns n’ Roses

Just do it, other things can wait: The dirty dishes, laundry and food shopping will still be there when you get home, your motivation might not. Go out for a run when the mood strikes you and you’ll find that you are getting out to run more often.

Set daily goals for yourself: Whether it’s running 5 minutes longer each day or at a faster pace- setting small, attainable goals for yourself will keep you going and give you the confidence to keep at it as you check off each goal. Run for today, not for the Boston Marathon you one day hope to run.

Change your scenery: Don’t run the same route everyday, you’ll wind up getting bored quickly, instead try to vary your venues. I’m such a people watcher that I find new spots take my mind off how far I have to go and my run is over before I know it.

Be realistic: Don’t demand or expect yourself to do too much too soon and understand you are going to have some off days and that’s okay; you’ve just got yourself back on the running horse, pat yourself on the back for separating your butt from your couch cushion and getting yourself out of the house.

Two miles later, I feel way better than I did this morning and I guarantee you my fellow lazy runners, that you’ll feel the same way too. So, let’s commit to getting out there and running a little more and watching the Kardashians a little less.

Here we go . . .

I dug my sneakers out of the back of my closet and thought about running by the East River, that's as far as I got. Baby steps!

Much like this blog, the next six weeks will serve as an experiment, six weeks to eventually run six miles (without stopping): how far can I push myself, what will I see along the way and how will it impact my life?

I've run periodically throughout my life, I feel great while I'm doing it, but then somewhere life gets in the way and I stop- or more accurately: it gets cold, a new episode of 30Rock is on TV and my fur lined slippers start calling my name.

There are people who are absolutely addicted to running, they enjoy it so much that they carve out the time to run even when their schedule is packed. I'm pretty sure I will never be one of those people- although I do really enjoy running to answer the door to get my chinese food takeout- so, the jury is still out.

My sneakers and I have a date tomorrow morning, here we go . . .