My wife bought me running shoes for Christmas. The nicest pair I've ever owned. Brooks Ghost 6.

I spent almost two hours at the running store trying different brands. I'd try on a pair and run around the store. Take one shoe off, put on another in its place. Run around the store again. And again. It was kind of fun. Rarely have I taken that much time to buy anything.

The shoes are light and comfortable. My feet are in love with them.

I am learning how to run again. I know almost nothing about it. But I feel inspired to do it. Here are a couple of reasons why.

The first reason is simple. I can actually do it again. After dealing with a chronic health problem since 2001, my doctor figured out what to do about it. One Methyl CpG a day. One. It is amazing how much better I feel. I can run again. Why not do it?

Another reason is I could run fast in high school. I recently remembered that. It's been a few years.

Next, Jim Michie. I home teach Jim. He is in mid-70s and he runs four marathons a year. He is lean and agile, more than most people at any age. When you run four marathons a year, you have to train big. I have been so inspired by Jim. I want to be more like him—not when I grow up but now. 

Finally, Shawn Craig Wickard. I met Shawn at a writing conference last summer. He has a rare condition—lupus in his spinal column—and he is in a wheelchair. He had stem cell transplant 9 years ago and he is getting the use of his legs back.

We're buddies on Facebook. Last October, Shawn posted that he had gone 0.81 miles on a treadmill. He said, "It feels so awesome being this close to my impossible goal of walking a mile! What's holding you back . . . ? Mine was only paralysis and gravity!" He reached his one-mile goal on January 4, 2014.

When I read what Shawn said, something clicked. I realized that I was doing myself a disservice. If Shawn could walk a mile, why couldn't I run a mile or three miles or five or 10? 

This is where I start. My goal is to run at least two 5Ks this year. It is a small goal, I know. My goal is also to come in third for my age group even though I may be the only one who enters in my age group. 

And that first race? No matter how fast or slow I run, I'll PR.

I am 56 years old. I haven't run consistently since I was in high school. I am running now because I can. And because of Jim and Shawn. And because I have an incredibly supportive wife who believes in me. She has always believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself. Thank you, Cristi.

I appreciate the running advice I have gotten from family and friends. Please keep it coming. I'll take all the advice I can get. I need it. 
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