How did I become a runner? I was quite satisfied with my life of leisure. The only thing that interrupted my tv watching schedule was The Big One's sports and music events. Thank goodness for DVR! I could easily get down to my desired weight with a crash diet of some sort every Spring. Why did I need to exercise? What kind of crazy person runs, on purpose, regularly?
The answer to how I became a runner involves my sister-in-law. She had very unexpectedly lost her sister, who was also her best friend. The way she finally chose to deal with the overwhelming grief was to start running. She was the last person I would have thought would ever run. But, being on the road, alone, was good for her. One family gathering in December of 2008 we were talking about when and where she ran. She told me how she almost got hit once, when lost in thought, running at night on a busy road. She didn't wear any reflective gear, so the car didn't see her until it was almost too late. So, I decided to get her something to wear at night for Christmas.
While shopping I ran into an old high school track buddy. He assumed I was buying the reflective straps and blinking light for myself. He asked if I was still running. Not that I ran much in track. I sprinted and did hurdles. Anything more than once around the track was long distance to me. To be honest, I was there for the boys. My response was that the only time I ran was to chase my four year old. I was too old to run now. That got me thinking. My SIL was more than ten years older than me. If she could do it, why couldn't I?
So, for my 2009 New Years Resolution was to run a 5k. And I was going to take time to put me first. I bought some sneakers at Marshall's and set my sights on the Race for the Cure 5k in May. I joined a gym, and started out on the elliptical. Then, once it got warmer, I started running outside. At first I could barely run a mile, but I kept trying. Every week I could run a little farther. Then I started enjoying it. I loved my "me" time. Alone with my music. Nobody asking for anything, or whining, or touching me.
By May I easily ran that 5k. And by the end of the year I ran a 10k. My life no longer revolves around the tv schedule. I am a runner. I'm not fast, and I'll never win a race, but I love to run.
The answer to how I became a runner involves my sister-in-law. She had very unexpectedly lost her sister, who was also her best friend. The way she finally chose to deal with the overwhelming grief was to start running. She was the last person I would have thought would ever run. But, being on the road, alone, was good for her. One family gathering in December of 2008 we were talking about when and where she ran. She told me how she almost got hit once, when lost in thought, running at night on a busy road. She didn't wear any reflective gear, so the car didn't see her until it was almost too late. So, I decided to get her something to wear at night for Christmas.
While shopping I ran into an old high school track buddy. He assumed I was buying the reflective straps and blinking light for myself. He asked if I was still running. Not that I ran much in track. I sprinted and did hurdles. Anything more than once around the track was long distance to me. To be honest, I was there for the boys. My response was that the only time I ran was to chase my four year old. I was too old to run now. That got me thinking. My SIL was more than ten years older than me. If she could do it, why couldn't I?
So, for my 2009 New Years Resolution was to run a 5k. And I was going to take time to put me first. I bought some sneakers at Marshall's and set my sights on the Race for the Cure 5k in May. I joined a gym, and started out on the elliptical. Then, once it got warmer, I started running outside. At first I could barely run a mile, but I kept trying. Every week I could run a little farther. Then I started enjoying it. I loved my "me" time. Alone with my music. Nobody asking for anything, or whining, or touching me.
By May I easily ran that 5k. And by the end of the year I ran a 10k. My life no longer revolves around the tv schedule. I am a runner. I'm not fast, and I'll never win a race, but I love to run.
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