I know for a fact that I am in the worst shape of my life.

The years have not been kind. Or rather, I have not been kind to myself all these years.

So when 30 hit like a freight train, I knew something had to be done to start fixing all the damage that I’ve spent the last 30 years creating. Fast forward now to 31, because I spent most of 30 in denial on the couch…. I have decided to become a runner.

A runner, you say? Yes. A runner. Why, you ask? Well, because in all my 31 years on this planet that is the one thing I have NEVER tried to be, pretended to be or wanted to be. I stood by the rule that the only reason I would run is if I was being chased by someone with a weapon. So I guess I figured I should go balls out and make a change that no one, not even myself, could see coming.

It’s obvious I did not think this through.

When I decided to start this, I jumped on the bandwagon called “Couch to 5K”. A plan that, if followed, would take you from couch potato to running a 5K in 9 weeks. That seemed to fit the bill for me, so starting this past Monday (11/23) I launched myself into the world of a runner.

I think I am doing pretty okay. I’ve made it through week one without collapsing, and I can already tell I’m getting better. I can actually make it to the end of my street now. (Yay!)

So here’s the part I did not think through: Someone who has smoked a pack a day for the past 15 years should probably quit smoking first.

My logic in not taking that route is two-fold. 1) I thought if I started being healthier it would be easier to stop the bad stuff and 2) Training for marathons is easier then quitting smoking. I know, roll your eyes if you have to.

It’s become exceedingly clear that a pack-a-day smoker cannot also be a 5k runner. I know I could make it a lot farther during my jogging expeditions if I was able to breathe. In fact, the only reason I have to take a break is to be able to breathe.  I have to walk for about 2-3 minutes before I can get a full breath again. And that sucks.

So… as I write this and ponder my entry into week two (which requires more running), and am also trying to wrap my head around how I can quit smoking simultaneously. And doing that while I smoke a cigarette.

My goal for making it from the Couch to a 5K is January 24, 2009. My goal for quitting smoking completely (which = no relapses) is December 19, 2009.