I don’t know the last time I Pubski’d. I think I told y’all I’ve been picking up running (my four month runnaversary is on the 10th! Stable relationships ftw, woot! I’ll take my running shoes out for a pasta dinner maybe, 😂) as of late, and that I’d signed up for a 10k in April and was on a training plan and my goal was to run it in 1 hour or less.

Well. I’ll set the scene. It was New Year’s Eve, I’d had some wine, and I was feeling nice and relaxed. I was taking a break from running for the holidays (as in, I didn’t run 12/31 or 1/1). I checked my email. Lo and behold! One of the running sites has my email and sent me something.

“Time for New Years Resolutions runs!” uh-oh, I thought. An effective clickbait subject line. They must know me.

I click in to the email.

“Save 20% with code 2020!” they said. “10k races!” they said. “Jan 5: 3rd annual memorial race for a local high school senior! $24 with discount!”

I swear the bottle of wine nearby gained sentience and took over. I couldn’t remember typing in my info or my credit card details, suddenly I was on a race confirmation page. I was running a surprise 10k in 5 days! Holy shit!

Well, guys, I ran it. I had a fantastic time(as in, at the event). My actual time wasn’t bad either: 57:09. Damn. I already beat my April goal.

Looks like I need a new goal for the April 10k! I’m so glad I did the run last weekend. It went to a good cause and I ran faster than I thought I could! (This is a side effect, partially, of being directly AT the starting line when the gun went off — for some reason everyone was being shy about being right at the front. I ran my first mile in 8:59 as I was surrounded by all these faster people passing me. :D)

According to r/running a lot of people seem to pick up running and jump into marathons right away. I do want to do a marathon and am confident in my ability to complete one, when I get there. However, I really like what I’m currently doing; I ran 2 5ks in fall 2019; looks like I’ll run 2 10ks in early 2020; I have plans for my first half marathon in the mid to late fall. I like this accidental concept of running two of each kind of race before progressing onward.

Anyway, it’s clearly my newest addiction — but it makes me feel great, and it gives me a good challenge that gets me out of the house. I was considering posting a race report here after the 10k, but figured I’d wait for Pubski. I don’t know how many runners we have in our ranks - a few, at least, I know.

Anyway. It just feels good to share. More than anything, I just want to make sure I stick with it this time. My approach and my feelings about running this go-round have been really different in a positive way compared to basically every other time I’ve laced up my shoes and decided to make a go of it, so I’m optimistic. More than optimistic, however, I’m at the point where I really embrace the fact that the only way to be sure that running is going to stick with me is by doing it. Every day. And the big picture will take care of itself.

Happy Wednesday, hubski! I hope whatever your current endeavor or obsession is, that it is treating you just as well.