Me a runner?

Flashback to junior high…

Thinking back to my Junior High school days in physical education class, I remember having to run laps at the track for a timed grade.  I was able to run the first lap until my sides would begin hurting and then I would tell myself that I can’t do this.  Then I would give up and walk the rest of the way.  I was not the athletic type.  

Fast forward to present day, I will be turning 51 years old this year.  Four years ago, I met a friend out for lunch.  When he arrived at the restaurant, he was wearing a shirt that implied he had run a 5k race.  I sarcastically asked, You ran a 5k?  He said yes he in fact had and that I should start running and enter a race with him.  Being a little competitive I thought to myself, if he can do it, I can do it too.  He told me to look on-line for a race about three months out and get signed up.  We agreed we would both register and be an encouragement to one another.

I picked a race on March 31st that would benefit our local food bank.  With the registration fee paid and the knowledge that my friend had done it, I was motivated.  Next, I needed running shoes.  Not knowing anything about running shoes, I went to our local mall and found a pair of Nike’s on clearance.

Time to begin training…

After the holidays were over, it was time to get started on training.  And getting started was the hardest part.  I was thinking, what have I agreed to?  In my head, I made a checklist of small goals that I could manage.  I thought if I could run a half mile today, I would skip a day and run three quarters of a mile the next day.  It would be easy to keep building up and add a quarter of a mile each time.  

While I surprised myself by running a mile my first training day, it was a much harder process than I had figured.  I would love to tell you that it worked out exactly as I had planned but that just didn’t happen.  There were ups and downs, and days that I was just not feeling it.  Training in the cooler weather was a big plus as I prepared for the race.  My friend never registered for the race, but with the fee paid and all my work preparing, I WAS going to do this.  

Finally, it was race day…

It was a very cold March morning.  I thought I’ll pace myself and give this thing a fair shot.  I was pumped up being around all the other runners.  This helped as I pushed myself on toward the finish line.  To my surprise, I finished in 30 minutes.  But more than that, I was proud that I had finished and that I was in better health through the experience.  Needless to say, it was at that moment that I became hooked.  That very day I registered for my next 5k. 

Since that day, I have run many 5ks, a 10k, and even a sprint.  And I plan to train for a half marathon in the future.  I would encourage everyone to start running.  Register for a 5k and don’t worry about timing yourself.  Do it for a healthier you.

Press on toward the goal!

Whole Foods

Chattanooga, TN