It's been about a year since I decided to become a runner at the age of 50. My expectations and reality went in different directions and the results surprised me. My expectations seemed reasonable when I began this journey and I was sure they would all be met immediately and effortlessly:
 -- Running three times a week would not be a problem.
 -- Weather and temperatures would not stop me.
 -- My family would support me.
 -- Excess weight would fall off of me and I would lose 30 pounds easily.
 -- Running would become as natural and routine as brushing my teeth.
 
Ouch! The reality was quite different. 
 -- I found it extremely difficult to keep to a 3x/week schedule for longer than two weeks at a stretch. Only towards the end of this year did I realize how fragile my attitude toward running had been and how it affected my ability to make running a priority in my life. Some time during the last month or two, a passion for running emerged. Prior to that, running was a chore. It took a year, but today it's a need and I like it. 

 -- Rain, snow, cold...weather will continue to be a challenge, but this year I expect my desire will lead me to overcome some, but certainly not all, of the challenges weather brings and I'll become a year-round runner.
 
-- My family never discouraged me, though I know my husband still has doubts as to whether this is the best form of exercise I could choose at my age. After a year of trying to be a runner, they now accept that this is something I do and I think, on some level, they are proud of me for keeping at it. 

 -- A year later, I'm 8-pounds lighter and less focused on actual weight. The changes in my body are far more interesting than the number of pounds. The strength in my legs and the development of calf muscles are awesome changes, as is my ability to breathe deeply, run, and sweat and not feel like I'm dying. 

 -- Running is still a work in progress but the reality of it becoming a normal part of my routine has begun.

I guess the biggest, overriding expectation was that everything I wanted would happen right away. It did not. It took a whole year before any of those goals were attainable. I'm thankful that I did not stop trying, but I might have had it not been for outside influences. The friend who helped me get started and serves as my "Running Master" deserves the credit for providing ongoing advice and encouragement. Additional support came when I joined an online running forum at Ecademy, a global social/business networking organization that I originally joined to help me in business. I had no idea being part of a club like this would make such a difference in my life on so many levels. Input from other runners, from all levels from all over the world, has been tremendous and has helped me discover a deeply hidden passion for running. At 51, I like the road I'm running and look forward to where it will take me next.