“Do you run?” my life coach asked me recently. (She’s the one helping me step into the new Power-Fairy persona)

“I don’t really like getting my heart rate up,” I replied. Which is true. For some reason it scares me – one of the many things that make me anxious. I also don’t like to work very hard. 😉

“Hmm…” she paused. “Because I’m getting an intuition that running would help you feel more powerful and more grounded. You need to remember how strong you are.”

The truth is, some part of my heart leaped when she said that. I had been secretly eyeing the runners in my neighborhood – wishing I could be like them but knowing that I’m not really cut out for it. I’m 44 years old and practically never run a day in my life. But when I see runners in the rain, I feel a special kind of longing – to be that girl all aglow with the rain on her face. Alive.

This was my chance.

“Okay.” I agreed. “I’ll try it.”

I downloaded an app called Couch to 5K which has been a nice, gentle way to begin. You listen to music and it tells you what to do- run or walk, alternating every 60-90 seconds.

I’m sore. I don’t always like it. But I do feel stronger each time.

And today? It rained. I was at the track at the junior high school when it really started coming down and a big smile came over me. Alright, I’m that girl! Let’s see how this feels…

As I walked home, soaked to the bone, I felt giddy.

How have I gone my entire life without running in the rain?