In high school I still remember trying to run one mile...couldn't do it. I don't think I could even make it all the way around the track one time which was 1/4 of a mile. So I gave up way back then... I didn't understand the mechanics of running or the science behind it. Most people just can't get up and start running...it takes time, patience, and some knowledge.
A few years back we started having a trainer come to school. I thought- finally I don't have to drive to a gym- I can just work out at work! So a few of us worked out and did various exercises etc. One day we had to do the mile for some pre/post tests. Ugh... I dreaded it. I defeated myself before I even started. I think my first time doing the mile was 12 minutes and some change...total disappointment. It was more of a run/walk deal. So then I got determined to get better. Then a coworker sent out an email about a 5K at her church- why not I thought- some motivation. A group of us from school attended. It was overwhelming...I had no idea what to expect. But I did it... my time was 32:47. I was proud that I finished. But it was a spark- wow I really could do this... I ran 3.1 miles.
I was hooked. I started looking for more races...I wanted to get better. I started running on the treadmill and running all over. It became a stress relief and therapy for me. Running offered some control in my life when I couldn't control whether or not I could get pregnant. It also introduced me to some really nice people. I became friends with a great bunch of people who also love to run! There is even a little team we have organized to motivate each other and have a good amount of fun and fellowship. Our little Team has grown over the years and I am so thankful for all the great memories Team Spirit has brought- even if it is running a 10K in business casual. But I enjoy seeing my running friends because people come from all walks of life and it is just fun to run and laugh with them.
But over the years I have grown to love running. Now I don't get to run as much as I did before Olivia but when I do get to I go full throttle and enjoy every minute of it. It is the sound of feet hitting the pavement and hearing your breathing that makes you remember that you are alive. I just enjoy it...I even sometimes have conversations in my head and think things through while running. I admit sometimes I pray when I am out there- sometimes I pray for a run to be over if it is a bad run!
I am very proud of my run this past weekend. This weekend I ran Liam's Run in Loganville. The same church that hosted the run has a run in the fall that I also love. The course is pretty basic and is an out and back. My goal was to try to keep up with Malissa. I wear my GPS while running and have gotten into a habit now not to look at it while running. But when I did it said 2.61 miles in 21 minutes. I was like holy crap...I am actually running kind of fast. I kept up with Malissa for the most part until the end. I just needed 30 seconds to recover. But my overall 5K time was 25:43. I was so happy. I have never run that fast EVER! So even though this post baby body still isn't all the way back to normal...it did something great this weekend! Go Team Baby Bump Busters!
I use a great website to track all my races and they are all almost there... a few are missing... but you can click the link below to see my progress.
http://athlinks.com/racer/41311679
My best advice... if you think you can't, you will never know until you try. Put on your sneakers and just run even if it is 20 steps...that is a start. Get a good pair of sneakers. Try running programs like Couch to 5K. Cross train when you are not running. It is sometimes more of a mental thing than a physical one- you can beat the mental game though! Last but not least- have fun!! Let me repeat that... HAVE FUN! So put on your sneakers (or as they call them down here tennis shoes) and start somewhere.
But here are some pictures from over the years. Not sure if they are in sequential order...but I tried!
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| First race! |
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| running in the winter in Georgia- it is great! |
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| Probably my best physical condition- September 2009 |
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| Covington Fuzz Run |
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| October 2009 |
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| Pound out Polio- Buford, GA |
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| Joan the running machine! |
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| Sometimes you even win a prize! |
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| Sometimes you need to coach someone in! |
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| Other times you run for cheesecake! |
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| Sometimes you run with Sanjay Gupta (not really him- but in my mind it was him) |
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| First half marathon finish |
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| YAY! We finished! |
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| 2009 1st Place in Age group in Run and See Georgia Running Group |
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| March 2010 |
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| Cheerios Challenge 5K |
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| Laps for Literacy |
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| Joan and I made the newspaper! |
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| Swat Trot June 2010 |
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| Peachtree Road Race 2010 |
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| Running in the snow in Georgia!! Gotta love it! |
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| Liam's Run 5K- New PR 25:43 thanks to a great pace setter- Malissa!! |
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| Joan and I! We always have to make a picture together! |
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2 comments:
I loved reading your reflections on running...I'm proud to be on Team Spirit and share in many running memories with you and our friends. Thanks for sharing! - Dean
Dean we have been on so many running adventures. Such great memories, laughs, and one of the main reasons to keep running is the friends that we have made!
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