January 3, 2017 I RESOLVE TO NEVER MAKE A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION AGAIN!!! For Christmas, my mom got a gym membership and she’s been going almost every day to an exercise class or something. She comes back all sweaty, exhausted, and…happy? It’s weird. But kind of inspiring. So, I decided to try it. NOT my mom’s old people Zumba dance classes. But just…exercise. I mean, I get some exercise during PE at school. But let’s be honest. Usually I’m trying not to be a sweaty mess for the rest of the school day. So I maaaaybe don’t put in my full effort. (Shhh…nobody tell the PE teacher!) But, my mom keeps coming home from the gym with a goofy exercise high. So I decided to try running. I figured, how hard can it be? I’ve known how to run since I was like two years old! So I put on sneakers and comfy clothes, cued up an upbeat playlist on my phone, popped in my ear buds, and headed outside. I hadn’t really planned WHERE I’d run. I mean, that’s the beauty of running, right? You can basically go anywhere. No limits! I hadn’t even started and I felt this awesome freedom!! I picked a direction and started running. It was GREAT! The wind blew through my hair! I felt powerful, like one of those kick-butt Olympic gymnasts running toward the vault. Maybe I would BECOME an Olympic athlete! Or, maybe one of those track runners, probably the ones who do marathons. (Or whatever the longest distance is.) And then…I got a leg cramp. Also, my lungs stopped working. I was pretty sure I was going to pass out. I hunched over and rested my hands on my knees. As I caught my breath, I looked down the street. I could still see my house. Like two blocks away. I hadn’t even listened to one whole song!!! How was this possible??? How did my ancient mother come home from the gym looking like she’d had a massage and a bubble bath? And how did those Olympians run for HOURS??? “Nikki? Are you okay?” I would have jumped if there had been any strength left in my legs. There was Max Crumbly, walking his grandma’s dog. “Do you need help?” I tried to answer, but I was so out of breath I couldn’t speak. I waved my hand in the air in a way that was supposed to say, “It’s fine! I’m totally cool! Nothing to see here! And would you mind not mentioning this to your best friend, Brandon?” “Maybe you should sit down?” I decided sitting would be better than falling. So I sat on the curb and Max sat next to me. “New Year’s resolution, huh?” he said. “Jogging? I tried that once. Totally bombed. But you probably just need some more practice.” I still couldn’t talk. “I’d offer you my inhaler, but I don’t think it’ll help unless you have asthma. Do you have asthma?” “No,” I managed to say. “Wow. How far did you run?” Max seems like a really nice guy. I considered telling him I’d only run two blocks. He’d probably be sympathetic. I held up two fingers. “Two miles? Nice!” He held up a hand. I couldn’t help myself. I high-fived him. And THEN! Before I knew what he was doing, he’d whipped out a phone, leaned in, and snapped a picture of the two of us. “What are you…” “Just sending a text to Brandon! Showing him you’re a runner! He likes running. Maybe you guys can run together sometime! Okay, well I’ve got to be getting back to my grandma’s. Are you going to make it home okay, Nikki?” I nodded, in shock. Somewhere, Brandon was opening up a text message to see a totally sweaty, red-faced me, slumped over his friend Max. New Year’s resolutions are the WORST. Just then, my phone dinged with a text alert. I looked down. Hey Nikki! I didn’t know you were a runner! Want to hit the View Ridge Loop sometime? It’s only three miles, but there are some great hills. Let me know! I mean, for half a second I considered getting back up and continuing to run. Training as hard as I could so I’d be up to running three miles with Brandon. Someday. But who was I kidding??? I texted back: OMG Brandon, that would have been SO fun!!! But my trick knee’s been acting up and the doc said I’d have to stop running if that happened again. I’m happy to give you some coaching tips, though! 🙂
EMOJIS says January 17, 2017 at 9:31 pm I really think that the last book should be about all the group going to college or graduate high school.
Running with the wolfs says January 17, 2017 at 8:54 pm Wait what nikki you refused to go running with a boy specialy 0 you know it is fun my find boy not a boy friend and me go running even if your tired I an sure brandon would love to share an ice cream at chocolat favorite best place to go but u can try one time with him EAT YOUR HEART OUT MAKENZIE
angry lover says January 17, 2017 at 8:42 pm omg Nikki sometime you make me so mad when you dont tell the truth but thats the beauty of a story right? 🙂
Dorkygirl666 says January 17, 2017 at 1:58 pm Omg Nikki I feel you! once me and my family ran a 3k race and it was SO hard I could barely make it through but it was worth it when we got are metals
#RomanticRoseGirl says January 16, 2017 at 12:33 pm Maybe it was a better idea to say yes to Brandon – you do love himmmm………..
reading is awesome#9 says January 16, 2017 at 11:50 am I LOVEEEE running. It’s like my fave thing!! 😉
PinkCat says January 16, 2017 at 5:19 am NIKKI TELL BRANDON U LIKE HIME HE LIKES U BACK PLEEEEEEAAAAAASSSSSEEEEEEE
PinkCat says January 16, 2017 at 5:18 am I just have a question last year I would dread the days in my pe class when we run the mile but now i am actually looking forward to them, is something wrong with me HELP ME!
Dorks r welcome! says January 15, 2017 at 10:37 pm I hate running 2. I will never ever have a new year’s resolution to jog!
PurpleGirl18 says January 15, 2017 at 5:56 pm Wow, I hope your leg feels better, Nikki. And congrats for running 2 miles!
Dorky_Emerald_Gamer says January 15, 2017 at 2:25 pm Anyone without asthma is lucky. 🙁 I have asthma in real life, and I can’t run around the whole soccer field (Which is pretty dang small), without stopping AND getting hit square in the ear, knee, or stomach.
Mountain maniac says January 15, 2017 at 2:03 pm Running is Awsome maybe u just need some more practice and then u will be able to run with Brandon everyday ( I hope )
Writing The Future says January 15, 2017 at 1:18 pm I tried running once too. I made it one and three quarters laps around my apartment complex before practically passing out. Reading this made me want to try again though. Thanks! Now I just need to get my lazy behind out of bed . . .
Dorky6 says January 15, 2017 at 7:56 am Really Nikki, That is embarrassing!! Good luck for your run around View Ridge Loop with Brandon!! P.S: I mean, is he still on it?
Despicablemefangirl says January 15, 2017 at 12:18 am I so hate running I might have asthma people stare at me in gym Ine time I passed out in front of my choir I rember the nirse running in my music teacher telling me to lay down and then it went dark next thing I know I am back on my stage.
Superdork2222 says January 14, 2017 at 9:25 pm I tried running every morning once it worked for 2 monthsthis is me every morning. to . But now I can run 1 n, a half