My Gift to You

Seeing as I've been running for 7 weeks now, I've discovered some pieces of knowledge that, I feel, is pertinent to share with other runners and/or future runners. Consider it my gift to you.

1) Taco Bell is off limits, especially before a run. Really, who ever feels good after eating Taco Bell? More importantly, why don't I ever remember this when I'm at Taco Bell ordering my bean burrito?
2) Do not skip a scheduled run to watch television and/or nap. It only makes the next night's run painful.
3) It's okay to wonder if there is something wrong with you if you are leaving a warm house to enter frigid temperatures to go running. Let's face it ... there is something seriously wrong with that.
4) Stay hydrated by drinking water. Caffeine provided by 4 cups of Dunkin' Donuts coffee and a Coke Zero is not listed in a runner's guide. Someone should have shared that information with me.
5) Sometimes after running, your legs will feel like spaghetti. That does not mean eating a bowl of spaghetti is a good idea, although it does sound very delicious.
6) If a person who has completed a marathon in 3 hours and 24 minutes tells you that it is hard, believe them. Then wonder, who runs a marathon in that amount of time?
7) Don't feel guilty if you schedule your run to coincide with when reality television shows, such as the "Bachelor," come on. It's not like you're at home watching it. It just happens to be on the television and you just happen to have control of the remote. It's not like you want to watch it. You just leave it on because the guy behind you might want to see it. Plus, watching it makes you feel better about running. At least, you're not confessing your love to someone who is also dating 20 other women. We all need confidence boosters. This show is just one of them. I mean, if you like to watch that kind of show.
8) If you are following a runner's guide and they have you running a ridiculous amount of time (currently 25 minutes for me), just do it. The second time you have run that length of time will seem so much easier because you've already done it once (so far, I'm feeling better than I did on Saturday. Let's see how I feel in the morning).
9) Find a running partner. They keep you accountable, encourage you, and make it all so much better.
10) Attitude is everything. You can do more than you think, but you have to try.