Testing the waters

As Jan. 4 approaches, my anxiety grows.

What if I'm not in shape enough to do this? What if I can't keep up with the others in my group? What if I started a blog — shared my goal with everyone I know — only to fail?

This kind of thinking can drive a person crazy.

By New Year's Eve, I knew only one thing could help me calm my fears. I decided to hit the gym, specifically the treadmill.

I'm to run three miles during my first training session, so that was my goal for this gym trip: three miles on the treadmill.

On account of the holiday, the gym closed early. 5 p.m. I managed to sneak out of work a bit early. Unfortunately, not early enough.

By the time I was dressed in my running gear and to the treadmill, I had only 20 or so minutes until the gym closed. I was definitely not about to pull out 6 1/2-minute miles.

I jogged the full 20 minutes, not quite reaching two miles.

I left feeling good but fears not completely assuaged.

I knew I'd have to hit the gym again before Jan. 4.