My largely sedentary lifestyle is beginning to show as I get older. I’m soft(er) around the middle and fuller in the face than even just a few years ago. My family, on both sides, has a history of heart disease and cholesterol problems. (Who’s family doesn’t these days?)

In late August I took a look in the mirror and decided I didn’t like what I saw, nor where I was certainly headed if I didn’t get off my duff and do something about it. So I headed to the store and picked up a pair of running shoes, the Nike+ iPod attachement for my Nano and was off to the races – both figuratively and literally.

My first run set a benchmark (and a low one at that). I couldn’t make it a mile and my pace was laughable – over 14 minutes a mile. That’s not too much faster than walking. Clearly I had room to improve!

After a month of training we ran the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Newport Beach. I couldn’t run the entire 5K (approximately 3 miles) but I’d significantly improved my pace and didn’t feel like a bus had driven over my knees after the race. Progress!

In January I ran another 5K at the OC Marathon (with Spiff) and turned in a much better performance: 28′ 05″ with an average pace of 9′ 02″ per mile.

Despite my life-long distaste for running I’ve stuck with it and am happy to report that I’m actually enjoying myself. Every other day I wake up at 5:30 AM, stretch for a bit and then head out for a 2 or 3 mile run, depending on my mood. On the weekends I typically head out later in the afternoon and run 4 miles.

Some fun stats about my runs, courtesy of Nike and Apple:

• Number of workouts: 54
• Distance run: 137.8 miles
• Time spent: 24.46 hours
• Calories burned: 17,092
• Farthest run: 4.04 miles
• Best mile: 8′ 11″
• Best kilometer: 5′ 07″