Where was I?

Things I didn't have a chance to talk about in the past month.....

I ran the most I have ever run in my entire life a few weeks ago in April. Col has graciously been my motivation to change up my exercise regime as I attempt to run. Let me mention. Col is a runner. She's done several marathons and is doing one this summer! We have been trying to run at least once a week together. After the 1st time we met up to run, she convinced me to sign up for a 4 mile race in Central Park. I was admittedly a bit freaked out b/c the most I had ever run before was a 5K. Oh, and did I mention that it was nearly 5 yrs ago and I didn't think I was going to get thru mile 2? Um, ya.

I've never been a runner. I could barely complete the 1 mile run we had to do in high school as part of the fitness test or whatever. I was one of "those" girls, who moaned and cross the line about 10 mins after everyone else did. Once I went off to grad school, I was surrounded by people who ran. My roommates, my friends and I never once thought, "hm..that sounds like fun, let me do that!"

Col and I only managed to run one other time before this 4 mile do-dad. I was slightly nervous and tried to run on my own. Guess what. It's a fail. I discovered that I can't run on my own! I either run too fast and I peeter out after a mile. Or I am just bored. When Col and I run, we are talking and laughing and there is someone I feel like I want to keep up with, so it's not so bad. And let's face it, I don't want to look like a giver-up'r, especially when someone can witness it!

Day of the race, all is fine. When we got to Central Park, I was amazed at how many people were there! Hundred and hundreds! I got a cool shirt. A little thingy that went on my shoe to track my time and just felt like I might actually "look" like someone who runs. Once we were off, Col was fantastic at setting a pace that I could maintain. I won't lie mile 2 was a bit hard. I seriously thought it would never be over,  but once we got to mile 3, something took over and I thought, 'hm..I can do this. it's not so bad"

Col was right, I had nothing to be insecure about. Old, young, skinny, fatties, kids, all types of people were running. Some were ahead of us, some were behind, but they were all running. As Col says, it's one of the few sports that everyone and anyone can join. Professional or amateur.

When we crossed the finish line, it was awesome! So much positive energy! Crowds, families,friends, music, smiles, support, feelings of achievement. I should also mention it was a run for cancer research. So many people had signs pinned to them, saying who they were running for, which was even more cool. I felt really good afterwards. It was HUGE for me!!! Sorry for all you runners out there who are probably laughing thinking that 4 miles was huge for me, it was! I wanted acknowledgement! I wanted a "you are awesome", "good for you!" something that I'd want my parent to say. I finally looked at Col and said, "I NEED A HIGH 5!". She laughed and gave me an hard-smacking high 5 and I was elated!

We went out for breakfast afterwards. I went home and I thought to myself, "damn...people who run marathons do about what I did today about 6.5x's more! YEOW!". Here I was walking around thinking I was da bomb!

So, for those of you out there who are runners and do it regularly. I admire you. I'm going to try to do it again....at some point I'd like to do another race.

Comments

[col]

cute post mama. are we running next week? ;)

[k.d.]

congrats! thanks for sharing that. =)

[snoopy]

Congrats! Maybe this is the start of a new thing for you.

I hate running...hate hate hate it. I can walk faster than I can run. I will bike 50 miles no problem...but can't run 1.