June 10^th

 Well, with a mere 17 days to go before our big trip to Disney, I realized that I’m going to be spending the majority of the trip in a bathing suit and I’d better get cracking on losing that (shall we say) ‘insulation’ from the wintertime! So, I’ve started running every morning after I drop the boys off at school.

Yeah, that's right, I’m doing what I always swore that I’d NEVER do! I always thought that people who ran were full of themselves. I mean, 'cmon: they have their special running outfits, their special running shoes, special running baseball caps that are made of some sort of fabric that doesn’t make you sweat…really? How elite can you get?

But my own pretentiousness faltered and crumbled when Paul, (who is an avid runner himself, and has been for years) came home and surprised me with the CUTEST running outfit just for me! (And oh yes, I’m aware of how easily my values sway – I don’t think I’d hold up too well under any sort of interrogation!)

So out I go, every day like clockwork, in my cute little running outfit (sweat-free hat included). And I’m up to 3 km now – of which I’m pretty proud, especially since a lot of it is uphill! ‘Course, there are times when I have to lean against a tree until the gagging subsides!

And now I've noticed that I’m quickly becoming obsessive about running. I want to stress that it's NOT, in fact for my good health, or for the fact that it’s amazing for my cardiovascular system. Nope. It’s about Vanity, pure and simple.  

I realized that a line in one of my all time favourite movies, "American Beauty", is even funnier now because it TOTALLY pertains to me:

Lester Burnham: I figured you guys might be able to give me some pointers. I need to shape up. Fast.

Jim Olmeyer: Are you just looking to lose weight, or do you want increased strength and flexibility as well?

Lester Burnham: I want to look good naked!

And really, am I alone in this??