What I Learned on Day One of Couch to 5K (A Love Letter to My Out-of-Breath Self):

Apparently, I missed working out. Like, really missed it. Who knew? My body was like, “Hello again, old friend,” and my muscles were like, “Ma’am, we don’t know you.”

I am... dramatically out of shape. The running part came in hot, and I came in wheezing. Let's just say it was more of a brisk stroll with delusions of grandeur.

BUT! Near the end, something wild happened - I caught a second wind (or maybe it was just pride kicking in) and managed a few heroic little jogs. Victory laps, really. Tiny ones.

I narrowly escaped becoming a hood ornament - because apparently, drivers don’t believe pedestrians are real people. Note to self: wear neon and maybe a flashing sign that says “Don’t hit me, I’m working on my goals.”

The voice inside me that whispered, “You can’t do this,” got body-checked by the version of me who roared, “Watch me.” And that voice? She's lacing up her shoes for Day Two already.