Running is a lot like having a picnic. It sounds like a really cute idea with lots of Instagram-worthy moments, but once you get there you start to regret it. Ants are crawling everywhere, the wind is blowing your napkins away, and of course you forgot the silverware. Somehow you're able to look back at it fondly and feel good about the time you had and the memories you made. For someone who recently started "running" (and I use that term loosely), I can tell you that my emotions tend to follow that same arc before, during, and after my "runs". Here's a list for all of you beginning runners out there that displays the thoughts you probably have but are too embarrassed to vocalize:

1. "This isn't so hard."

Woohoo, one minute in! I'm so in shape, it's insane! Look at me go, I could do this for hours!

2. "Did it get hotter out?"

When you stepped out the door it was a nice, brisk day. Did someone turn the temperature up twenty degrees?

3. "How do I keep these earbuds in?"

The sudden and unusual rise in temperature is causing sweat to form and these earbuds keep slipping out! Hopefully no one has noticed the embarrassing amount of times I've had to jam them back in my ears.

4. "I feel like I run better alone."

You know what, I'm glad I have no one to run with. I can really focus and clear my head a lot better when I run alone.

5. "I definitely run better when I'm with friends."

Now that I think about, I love running with friends. They really push me to keep running after five minutes when all I want to do is lay down on the ground.

6. "Why am I doing this?"

What have I done. Why am I doing this to myself. This doesn't feel good at all, this feels like I'm dying.

7. "Is that sweat or tears?"

Sometimes it is truly difficult to tell.

8. "At least I look cute."

I may be in pain and my lungs might be about to burst, but at least my running outfit is on point.

9. "Maybe if I slow down a little I won't have to wash my hair."

If I run at a slow enough pace I may not sweat enough to have to actually wash my hair tonight!

10. "Am I even running?"

11. "I just need to walk for a little bit."

You know what, I ran for three minutes, it's time to reward myself with five minutes of walking (sorry not sorry for all of the "Parks and Rec" GIFs. They're just too relatable).

12. "This hill will be the death of me."

My tombstone will read "This avid runner died running up a tiny mountain."

13. "I'm done."

Alright, gotta make sure I have enough energy to drag myself home.

14. "I'm HOME!"

I did it! I'm a rockstar!

15. "I'm such a runner."

Oh please, that run wasn't even that bad. Barely broke a sweat.

Keep on keepin' on, my fellow "athletes"! Someday we just might go from beginning runners to kind of average runners.