The Couch to 5K and a Song for the Way

I did it! Yay! This morning--on the last official day of spring--I finally accomplished my spring fitness goal, which was to complete the Couch to 5K running plan! I woke up at 5:45 AM and ran before my husband left for work so that he could watch the baby. It was a beautiful morning and a wonderful run! I feel so empowered to be able to run 3 miles again after having a baby!

I recommend the Couch to 5K running plan as an ideal way to ease into a running regimen. It is a 9 week plan that combines running with walking, gradually transforming the couch-sitter into a 5K-runner. I love it.

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

I would not be able to run without my friend Sarah. We did the Couch to 5K plan for the first time 3 years ago, and we had a blast together! Now she has gone on to bigger and better things (like running half marathons), but I think that I am content with the 5K distance!

I would not be able to run without the music on my iPod. Thanks to my friend Hye-Won for giving me that iPod--one of the best gifts ever--a few years ago! I created a special playlist that I enjoyed listening to this spring. Here were some of my favorite songs to listen to while running (mostly Christian and country):

The Only Name - Big Daddy Weave
Give Me Jesus - Galkin Evangelistic Team
Every Promise of Your Word - Keith and Kristyn Getty
Good Morning - Mandisa
The One Thing I Know - Sara Groves
O the Deep Deep Love - Sovereign Grace Music
Get Back Up - tobyMac
Oh How the Years Go By - Vanessa Williams
She's Everything - Brad Paisley
Quitter - Carrie Underwood
Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me - Keith Urban
Pioneer - The Band Perry

And I would not be able to run without God's grace in my life! I have always been the girl who likes to sit and read, or sit and play the piano, or sit and talk, or sit and drink tea, or sit and eat chocolate (key word=SIT!). In college I struggled with emotional eating and was about 20 pounds overweight. Running 3 miles may not mean much to some people, but it means something to me. It reminds me that in the strength of Christ, I can do all things (Philippians 4:13)!