When I was growing up, I hated gym class. Although I used to ride my bike around the neighborhood, I never did anything related to a sport. Apparently, strength, speed and coordination were useful attributes in pursuing athletic endeavors.

My lack of athletic prowess did not go unnoticed by others. In fact, it was a good day when I got chosen second to last, but not dead last, in dodge ball. Even my gym teacher was perplexed by my ability to turn a 50 yard dash into a 50 yard dawdle.

You can imagine my surprise when I found myself, just recently, proclaiming that I was going to run in a 5K.  It started as an effort to jumpstart my annual weight loss program, but in the weeks since my bold declaration, I can sense it becoming something more.  A journey.

Every time I go into the gym to run on the treadmill, I have doubts.  Will I be able to run for three whole minutes without stopping even ONCE?  Will I jiggle and shake in the wrong places?  Will people look at me and snicker because I’m struggling to get to my first mile?  When I look at the other people around me, naturally, my eye only focuses on the long, lean folks who glide along at 7.0 miles an hour, only breaking a sweat after 30 minutes.  It’s hard doing something new; that I’m not very good at.

But for some reason, I still go.  I’m following a gradual plan that combines walking and running and that promises to have me running the whole 3.1 miles in 8-10 weeks.  To keep the pressure on, I’m signing up for 2 upcoming 5Ks: the Cary Road Race in April, and the Race for the Cure in June.

One of the things I’ve discovered during this 5K quest is that sometimes you have to take a fresh look at yourself.  At the things you’ve always wanted to do, but have never gotten around to.  At limitations you’ve accepted that now may be time to break through.  At doubts it’s time to dismiss.

When our kids are little, we encourage them to try all sorts of different things: music, arts and sports.  As they grow, they begin to focus on what they really enjoy, eliminating those things they weren’t as a good at.  But sometimes, by the time we’re adults, that focus becomes too narrow.  I was the girl who didn’t run, and stunk at sports.  Does that mean that’s who I’ll always be?

When I first talked about running a 5K, some of you said you’d be interested in doing it too.  Let’s do it.  Let’s go on a 5K quest, and maybe even a journey together.  Whether you’re a walker, jogger or Olympic track star, come join in.

We’re establishing a forum where runners and runner wannabes can talk, encourage and whine.  Our goal: complete the Cary Road Race (in whatever time it takes) and run (as in, walk, jog, crawl) as a team for the Race for the Cure.  Vickie Leff, Runner Mom, is on hand to provide expert advice and training tips on how to get into this running life.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to try something new, maybe this is your chance.  Just like computers, maybe we can continue to improve and develop ourselves—an upgrade, if you will.  Our own version of You 2.0.  Let’s get started.