Running... Is it in you??
Okay, I should explain something… my mind. It jumps around. A LOT. I can basically work without having to think about work, so, I think of other things. Usually this is things I want/should do in my life. More of the wanting, I suppose. I make these grandiose plans and sometimes even follow thru. Running and getting into shape is the current topic. I am also what you could consider obsessive about my ideas. Lol When I get an idea, I will completely walk thru it in my head (taking all of about 2 hours to contemplate it), then jump in.
I know people that have been running for 2 years, and have never entered a race. I ask them why? Because they are scared. I don’t know of what. Fun Runs are just that… FUN. Yea, sure there are those people that will finish in 20 minutes, no problem. But there are also the people that walk the whole thing, and finish in and hour 30 min. It makes no difference. And believe it or not, the people at the finish line cheer for you just as hard as for the first person that crossed the finish line. Whats the difference between me and the people that are too afraid? I did the race. I finished the race. Why be so scared? Who cares if you come in last. If you are that scared, do it with someone, so then you can tie for last place. You still get a shirt (most of the time), and a goody bag. There will still be swell treats and refreshments left after the race (I love how they have doughnuts after a race… really. It cracks me up). And if you are a beginner runner, you have no idea how much those people pump up your adrenaline. You are running with 400+ people. FOUR HUNDRED or more!!! When do you ever run with 400 others?? It’s a rush, I’m telling you. And for the best reason? Its your daily exercise. Yea, it may cost you $20-$25, but it’s a blast.
The summer months are hard, there aren’t a lot of races in July because of the heat. Same with Nov and Dec. I took Junior on his first 5K race over the 4th of July. We sucked. Came in with the bottom 20, I think, but you know what? We finished it. My son did a 5K. He has the shirt and the race bib to prove it. I had a goal of 1 hour. Now, if you do the math… we are talking a hair over 3 miles in an hour… so, basically, it was a 20 minute mile. I cant walk that slow if I wanted to….BUT, it wasn’t just me. I had Junior. His legs are a lot smaller. Plus, when you factor in, water stops, shoe tying, talking, and any other reason we may have had to stop, 20 min was a good goal.
The race started from the park, looped a few blocks thru a neighbor hood, then down a main street for about a mile, then turned around and came back. This is what you call and out and back course. There is an actual U-Turn at the end then you come back. Well, we started off swell… wait, I need to re-iterate. Junior had never run with me before. Ever. But he had been telling me he wanted to start. It happened that I had him back from his Dad’s that day, so I figured if nothing else, we would just do it as a walk, no biggie. My main goal was to finish it. Anyway, we started off great. I had to slow him down some because he was running all out, and he has to learn to pace himself. By the time we got to the main street, he was now walking. About 50’ later, he was done. He wanted to turn around and go back, he didn’t want to finish. I didn’t let up. Told him we would finish, and we kept walking. I held his hand and tried to distract him by talking about things. But for the most part, I dragged him the next mile. Told him as soon as we got half way, we would turn around (I am the smart Mom. Lol). It was a struggle for the next 20 minutes. Even thru the bands, water stops and cheerleaders, I told him he could do it, and we were accomplishing little. Well, we got up to the U-Turn location. Another water stop. He took some water, and the realization dawned on him that we were now half way…. All we had to do was run back (yes, Einstein, I tell you!) and we were done!! So, he started pushing me. We started running, and passing more people, and running. He would say, lets race to the next drive way/mailbox/car, and we would. It kept him moving, and every so often, he would turn and say look how far we have come! I would tell him how much longer, and he would tell me we can go faster, so we did. We pushed ourselves all the way back. He had the cheerleaders rooting him on, and it showed in his face how proud he was of himself. I couldn’t have been any prouder at that minute.
As we neared the finish line, I backed of a few steps, and let him cross alone. Near tears, I finished on his heels, but in the end “He beat his Mom” at his first race. It was all him, and I am so proud.
After ward, I let him enjoy 2 doughnuts, while I had a few waters and a banana. We took our stuff and headed home, proceeding to call many people on the way home to let them know what he just accomplished. We took pictures of him with his running number when we got home, and I will do a collage with the actual bib, eventually. Perhaps, I will add in more of his running numbers, and do a big one.
He said he wanted to get into running, so I went and bought him some real running shoes, so he no longer will have to run in Vans. 2 weeks later, I decided I needed new running shoes too, and got some my self (BTW, best ones ever!!)
There is another this weekend, and I have just decided we are doing it. I am skeptical, because it’s a 5 mile, not a 5K. But, again, it’s a fun run, and I have no doubt we will have fun. He’s been going with me a few times a week on 2-3 mile trips. We don’t always run, but we are moving, and that’s what counts.
The prize for this run is the fair that is after the run, and a tank top. I really enjoy the shirts and whatnot you get when you race. You will forever find yourself going thru your drawers, seeing that one shirt, or tank top, and thinking… I FINISHED that race. I did it. And if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have the shirt… I cant tell you what an awesome feeling it is. Self-satisfying, and if you are someone that needs validation, its great too.
I firmly believe there is nothing that anyone CAN’T do. Want to know how to find races in your area? Email me, I can give you a few ideas. There are also just one mile runs too. One mils is just over 3000 feet. You can totally do that!!!
I plan on doing a few more 5K or 5 Miles, then moving onto the 10K’s, and honestly, by next year, I would love to complete a triathalon. My only qualm is the swimming part, as I don’t have much access to swimming, except the occasional wakeboarding I do, and even then, I don’t swim much more than 10-20 feet. Hmm, thoughts to ponder…
