My colleague, Kristi, put a bright yellow ‘What are your plans for this summer?’ flier in my mailbox right before I left school for the summer. Inside was the Cool Running – The Couch-to-5K Running Plan. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen the plan. I’ve wanted to get moving for a while now.

I don’t know if you watch Oprah but she has this theory that the universe will give you a push you in the right direction when necessary. First, it will whisper to you, then speak clearly, then shout, then if need be, hit you over the head with a frying pan. Luckily, I didn’t need to get on the head BUT I have had this needling feeling that I need to start exercising again. I’ve ignored it because I’ve been tired and overworked at school. But when Kristi handed me that bright yellow schedule of workouts, I figured the universe had started speaking clearly and I needed to listen.

So I’ve been following the plan for the last few days. I’ve been going over to Bremen Street Park and following the instructions on this yellow paper. It’s been really nice out and the birds have been chirping. And I haven’t been as sore or cranky as I thought I would be.The real test will be when it’s raining or gross. I don’t think I’m going to like running in the rain.

The running is going to last all summer because I need to be in shape when I get to Ecuador. I don’t want to be asked to hike up a mountain and have to say no. I am going to accept every invitation I get while I am down there!

So get ready world. Meg is now a (not so) cool runner!