As someone who's avoided any kind of physical activity for most of their natural life, completing a 1/2 marathon this weekend was a big deal. Not just for the physical undertaking involved, but for the unexpected mental accomplishments that came with it too.
When I was little I was told I was too small and too uncoordinated to play sports. And I believed it. So began a lifelong avoidance of any physical activity. I was so good at it that I managed to scheme my way through high school without ever taking a PE class. I would have made it through college in such a manner too, if possible, but this time I wasn't as crafty in manipulating the system. So I took a semester of tennis and one of folk dancing to meet my PE credits for graduation. Don't laugh- I can still dance a mean polka today!
So when I was restless and looking for something to change in my life this year I decided to really break out of my normal, safe place and try running with the goal being to run the White Rock Half-marathon at the end of the year. I almost gave up before I even started when my first step down this path hit a surprise that threw me off balance. Instead I chose to keep going, focus on my goal and let the surprise work itself out, which it did. This wasn't the first obstacle I hit on the way to my goal this year. I've fought weak ankles, shin splints, and a summer of 100 degree heat that caused me to take a break for a couple of months. But when fall, and cooler weather, came; I rallied and got back on track to meet my goal. And on Sunday, 12/4 I completed my goal. And I must admit, I never expected it to feel this good.
When I ran my first 5k, I gave up the ghost of considering myself unathletic. And in running the 1/2 yesterday, to be blunt, I kicked the ghost's ass and stomped on its grave. NEVER again will I believe that I'm not athletic or cut out for sports. I KNOW otherwise. Around mile 10 I started get choked up as I realized my goal was going to be a reality and thought about what I had accomplished. I left several things from the last year on the road yesterday and really understand for the first time why runners do what they do.
Yes, people say we're nuts to run in the rain, in 40 degree weather and love it, but you have to live the experience to understand it. We run for what we leave behind or face on the road. We conquer our fears, misconceptions, anxieties and much more. We accomplish our goals and dreams and take that energy into our daily lives in so many ways. This is why we run.
In closing, thank you to everyone who supported and encouraged me in the last year- my friends, my coaches and my running classmates. Thank you to the staff at RunOn! who taught me so much about running- from picking the right gear to the right form to a good race strategy. I couldn't have made it yesterday without each and everyone one of you. Thank you.
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