Wanna be a Runner?

When I first considered this whole running idea, I did what, I think, most other people do. I googled it. I googled barefoot running, running clothes (because that is an easily attainable aspect of running; I might not be fast, but I look good doing it, well at least my clothes look good,) an easy running diet (an easy diet...right,) running moms, and I tried to find a running group in the area. In one of my many nap-time searches, I happened upon Another Mother Runner. This is a site produced by two moms, Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea(SBS), who have created an amazing virtual environment for moms who hit the pavement. Along with the website, they have penned two books (more on one of them later,) raise their voices on a podcast, and you can follow them both on twitter.

At first, I was intimidated by this group of running women. Sure, none of them knew anything about me and I knew nothing about them. But they were runners and I wasn't. In my mind, I wasn't even close. Dimity and SBS seemed so far ahead of me on the race track that it was overwhelming and I honestly, didn't think I would ever be able to relate. I even downloaded the sample of Run Like a Mother: How to Get Moving -and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity, but I just felt that I was so different from them. They're fast, I'm slow; they're fit, I'm flabby; they're (insert desired adjective here), I'm the opposite. I wasn't ready to accept that "I can do this, I can be a runner." So I kept the website in the back of my mind to check later if this running thing was something I actually enjoyed doing. 

Fast forward to the ZOOMA Half and 10K a month ago. This 10K was to be my sixth race of the year. Half way through my race a month all year and I finally felt ready. I had finished my first half the month before and I was really beginning to feel like a runner. The Another Mother Runner ladies were giving a talk at packet pick-up that I was ready to hear. I found myself entranced by these to women who, just the idea of them, had intimidated me just months before. As I listened, I felt myself understanding and relating to so many of their stories. I remembering thinking "I can be like them, I am like them." 

Before I left the mini-expo, I picked up a copy of their new book, Train Like a Mother: How to Get Across Any Finish Line -and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity and they were both so gracious to sign it for me. As I said my name "with an H" like I always do, Dimity added "that's the only way, right?" as she glanced at SBS and we all chuckled. 

The next morning at the race I fell in beside Dimity and Cynthia. (Read all about Cynthia's amazing story here.) They were both running the half, but I ran with them until the 10K turn around. My only goal for the 10K was to run the whole thing. And thanks to Dimity and Cynthia in the beginning I did.

The group of "runners" seemed to be such an elite group before getting out there and setting my feet on the pavement. I know I'm not fast by any stretch, but I can see improvements. When I look back at where I was when I started, I am amazed and proud of my progress. Running has become something I enjoy, I look forward too, and I crave terribly when I miss more then one.

I recently heard a quote: "The difference between a runner and a jogger is a runner has a race number." I may not win any races, I might be towards the back of the pack, and I might even stop to walk (once, twice, ok fine, a handful of times,) but I am a runner. I have joined the group. And when I pin on my next racing bib, I hope to remember to run my own race at my own pace and that will be a big win.