a runner am I?

Flash back to six months ago, and (barring a short stint during my freshman year in high school) any time prior in my life.  I have always hated running.  It hurt, I wasn't particularly good at it, and my metabolism was such that I didn't need to burn big chunks of calories.  Plus, I was pretty good at swimming, and that hurt a lot less.

Now flash to the present.  I've been running for just over 3 months.  When I started, I couldn't do a mile without significant pain and wheezing.  After a short build up, I strained a quadricep and had to lay off for 3 weeks.

That all behind me, and a more sane training regiment in place (thanks, Nike+!), I ran the farthest this weekend I've ever run in my life:  10 k (6.2 mi).  And it felt...good.

Now, I haven't actually lost much weight yet.  My lower body has definitely started to change shape, but I think I'm doing more with muscle refinement than with fat burning at this point.  I just started combining nutrition monitoring (via iPhone app Lose It!) with my Nike+ training tracker.  We'll see how that goes.  There is something addictive about knowing that 6.2 miles gives me an additional 800 calories of eating/drinking to play with  ;)

Now, about the shoes.  I am in love with my Nike Free Run shoes.  $85.  Light as a feather.  They simulate barefoot running, so in theory my ankles, feet, calves and knees are getting stronger as the shoes do not provide much in the way of support.  They are purely there for cushioning.  I should cross the 100 mile mark early next week, so I will continue to update as I go along.