The first step

So I read that the first step to beginning any kind of exercise program is to check with your doctor to make sure you're healthy enough...yeah...I'm skipping that step.

The next step is to put down in writing your reasons for wanting to exercise, in my case, to run. So...here they are, in no particular order (this isn't a 2011 Top Ten Prospects in the System Ranking* after all):

1. I'd like to beat depression. I have really persistent depression that drugs can't put a dent into. "They" say that exercise and fresh air can work as well or better than antidepressants. Considering that antidepressants have done nothing, the bar is set pretty low. Running is also cheaper, free even. Free except for the $30 entry fee for the 5K, but that money goes to needy children and homeless puppies and/or kittens (see reason 4 below), not into the swimming pools of money in the mansions of pharmaceutical bigwigs.
2. My pants don't fit anymore. This one's pretty self-explanatory really.
3. Exercise=energy. Energy=good. So therefore, exercise=good. Somehow, that logic is unassailable. Sometimes it's smart to look at things objectively. That's how websites like fangraphs exist.
4. It's for a good cause. Children. Puppies. Kittens. Rainbows and unicorns and happiness. Chase Utley should go! Dude. If Chase Utley is there, I'm gonna scream like a fangirl.
5. Quality husband-wife time. My husband also registered to run with me. Training together gives me a perfect opportunity to initiate Let's Talk About Our Emotions Night. Before you know it, we'll be watching chick flicks and eating lo-cal popcorn. Just kidding. I hate chick flicks, in fact, The Notebook is pretty much the worst movie ever made (I know, I know...How can anyone even know that, Napoleon?)
6. I get a free T-shirt and two Phillies tickets. Ca-ching. That's actually the real reason. That, and I'm too cheap to buy bigger pants.

The next Step to Success (!) is to chart your progress. So here we go...
My baseline stats:
Height: 5 feet, 2 inches
Weight: 138 lbs, at last measure. I don't own a scale, so I'm just going by the last time I weighed myself at my parents' house about a week ago.
Can run for _______ minutes without stopping: Dunno. I'm sure it's less than a minute. 30 seconds seems about right.
Can run for _______ miles without stopping: Zero. Maybe 1/8 mile, or about halfway around a track. Maybe.
Waist size: ??? Can't find a tape measure. Suffice it to say my size 6 jeans don't fit anymore.
Hip size: ??? Where IS that tape measure?






*But this is: 1. Domonic Brown, OF; 2. Jon Singleton, OF; 3. Jarred Cosart, RHP; 4. Brody Colvin, RHP; 5. Trevor May, RHP; 6. (and "Awesome Name Award" winner) Sebastian Valle, C; 7. Vance Worley, RHP; 8. Jesse Biddle, LHP; 9. Tyson Gillies, OF; 10. Justin DeFratus, RHP. The Phillies <3 Pitchers.