National Running Day is June 6th this year. It's an annual event held on the first Wednesday in June every year. I'm not sure when it was started or where, but hearing about it last year is what really started me thinking about my personal challenge. I was many months pregnant at the time and going for a run was the farthest thing from my mind. I hadn't run consistently since well, ever. And certainly not for my own enjoyment. Sure, I ran in school because I had to in gym, but I wasn't interested in track or cross county. Sports weren't really my thing. Thought I did have a patch (or a sticker maybe) that said "Marching Band is a REAL Sport." (I also had a shirt that said "I come to the game for the Half Time Show," but that's a whole different thing, haha.)
Why did I decided to run? Initially it was to lose the baby weight, or at least that's what I told myself and others. But I think it was really about proving to myself that I could do it. That I had the determination and discipline to do something for myself by myself. Signing up for the half marathon was easy. Training for it was hard. Especially the longer runs. Just getting out the door to do it was the hardest part.
In just the last seven some months that I have been "running" (I say that in quotations because at the beginning I was mostly walking quickly,) I have done things I never thought I would do and I have learned things I didn't think running could teach me. I didn't think I would be able to complete 13.1 miles in three hours, but I did. I didn't think I could put so much time each week to only think about me. Sure, it's only a half an hour here and there, but on the days I get up early for a run (just 1.5-2 miles usually) I feel better the entire day. Even though I lose a little sleep time, I am more awake and ready to face the three little darlings that want my constant attention all day. Taking the time out for me has made me a better mom, a better wife and just a happier person overall.
I didn't think that running would teach me that it's ok to have that time, but it most definitely is. I'm branching out and giving myself time in other ways. Just yesterday, my sisters and I went to get mani/pedis together. It was wonderfully relaxing. And the first time I have gone to get one that wasn't a gift. (But, less then 24 hours later and I'm chipping them already... ah well.)
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| This is the view on another ZOOMA training run in Annapolis over looking the Chesapeake Bay. Gorgeous! |
Another surprise teaching from running, is my renewed love of the outdoors. Some people love running on the treadmill, I am not one of them. If I'm going to the gym I'm hopping on the bike or the elliptical and I usually avoid the treadmill. For me, there is something about being outside and hearing my feet hit the pavement and the smell of fresh cut grass (or HONEYSUCKLE when it's in season) and the warmth of the sun that is so incredibly enjoyable. (Until it get's super hot in the afternoons, then count me out.) As our last
ZOOMA training run, we ran at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. They have a really great paved trail that winds around the whole park. What was supposed to be a 4 mile run, turned in to a 6 mile run because I ended up split off from the group and missed a turn somewhere (or turned to early and repeated some of the trail.) It sounds tough adding an additional 2 miles to a run, but I really enjoyed myself. I have really loved running with a group, but even more I love the quiet solace that running alone through nature brings. The last few miles were so much easier then the first too. Sure, it might have been because all my muscles were warmed up and not yet to tired, but I found some zone and just settled back and ran. I ran slowly, yeah, but I ran for fun. I ran for me.
