Is that an elephant on the treadmill?!?

Part I: Once upon a time, not too long ago, I mocked people. Now- listen to my reasoning and my mea culpa. I mocked the mom who couldn't find time to get to the gym. I mocked the dad who said work took up all of his time and he couldn't make time for fitness. I mocked the people who grabbed food on the go. I mocked anyone who offered me, a personal trainer, any excuse as to why they just couldn't find time or energy to get into shape. You see, I used to have full days as well. I'd wake at 430 am, get two small children up and dressed, dropped them off at daycare, then went immediately to the gym. I spent 1.5 hours working out, showered, then off to the law firm from 8-5. Then pick up kids, make dinner, and prepare everything for the following day. During my lunch break I would grocery shop, pay bills, etc. But I was strict, and I was committed. What I failed to remember was there was no time for personal relationships. And now I realize the importance of those. And here is my mea culpa. I am sorry for mocking anyone. Life is hard, and life gets in the way. You see, now I commute exactly 64.6 miles each way to work- Monday through Friday. It's treacherous. I spend three to four hours a day in my car in traffic. That's a lot. So I have taken stock of my life now. I have learned that creating a plan is the roadmap for success. I wake at 445 am, and am on the road at 517 (pretty exact, huh?). I work 7-4. I make time at lunch to hit the gym for a quick workout, but it doesn't leave time for runs- or it doesn't leave time for weights. It's a personal conundrum. So my option for runs (or weights) is to do so before or after work. Before work finds me leaving home at 345; after work finds me working out anywhere from 5-6 (finishing at 7). The issue? I have a family. And I like them, and I want to spend quality time with them. Getting home at 730 and having to do dinner and baths, etc., well, that's a slice into quality time with my family, but being in bed by 8 to wake at 330 to go before is no solution either. So I ask: is there a solution to this? I'm not sure. But I now have a better understanding of why people let their fitness fall by the wayside. Which makes my determination to wog even more astute. Thanks for letting me put that out there. Part II: 47 minutes, 3.47 miles. That's not a staggering result to report. But since I'm coming off an injury (MCL sprain), perhaps it's okay. I did it. I survived day one. Perhaps if I can continue the 45 minute range for wogging I can be successful. I have the blessing of knowing several distance runners whom I can go to for advice. But the difference, you see (aside from their speed, agility, and perseverance), is that they actually enjoy running. They run like gazelles; their breathing is not unlike that of cheetahs- controlled, even, calm. Whereas my steps are those of a wounded elephant, and my breathing is that of an asthmatic platypus. It's not nice. So today I will give it a go once again. I will lace up those sneakers and double sports bra for safety. I will ignore the bouncing of the fat which I hope one day decides to vacation elsewhere than my behind. I will argue with my Pandora station for playing bands that I have told her more than once to cease sneaking into my playlist. And I will wog.