I have in the past said I don't like running. I don't know why. Sometime it hurts, I guess, but then sometimes cycling hurts and swimming hurts, but I am not quick to blurt out I hate cycling or I hate swimming as I have with running. I think I had just lost the runner in me for a while. Over the summer months of training for the Marine Corps Marathon, I think I found the runner again. I told my coach once, you're building a runner out of me. Perhaps that was a little wrong, perhaps we were just renovating or doing a little rehab? Okay it is a massive rebuild... ;-p
As I trained, I found that I was running beyond 10 miles, feeling good and enjoying it. Stellar! Of course, there were those runs that were just crap; where I stopped before hitting the planned miles for the day or just really slogged through them at a slower than my normal slow pace. We all have those days, but overall I think I found the lost runner in me. See she was here all the time:
I found this picture while digging in a tote full of knitting needles this past weekend. Why ancient photos of my past were in this tote, I don't know, but there she was that runner! WoW! I've been looking for her. I look like I am hauling ass across that field. LOL. This was taken when I was in the 7th or 8th grade. Dig my striped tube socks to the knees. I ran cross-county and track 7th grade through 10th grade while living in rural Illinois. This girl used to talk about wanting to do a marathon. This girl used to run sub-7 minute miles on the 2 and 3 mile cross-country courses. When I saw the photo and thought back to that time, remembering that girl's dreams I said out loud to the photo - "We did it!" In regards to completing the Marine Corps Marathon. I am still pretty stoked about that accomplishment. There has been a long, winding, and sometimes difficult road between the me in the photo and me now, but the runner has been found.
Now, if I could just channel the speed from my youth I would be set!
Happy Swimming, Cycling and/or Running to all of you!
Happy Swimming, Cycling and/or Running to all of you!Still trying to figure out my 2011 triathlon and running plan. I want it all! Half-iron, another marathon, and lots of fun!
This story made me smile! That picture was in that tote because you needed to see it. Congrats on finding the runner again and that girl in the picture better be proud cause you've reached her goals! I love your enthusiasm and spirit! Thanks for spreading it to the rest of us!
ReplyDeleteNice post! I'm glad you found your running. You certainly gave me a lot to think about!
ReplyDeleteThat would be pretty cool if you could find your speed too! I'm sure that's in there, too.
I don't *hate* running, biking, swimming, etc, as much as *hate* not being able to do anything. :)
I love that. You've only forgotten your true self. I don't know if I'll ever get back to the sub-6 minute miles I used to run in high school, but I'm going to keep trying!
ReplyDeleteSo that was YOUR runnung I saw on the side of the milk carton.
ReplyDeleteNeat story!
ReplyDelete:-)