Let’s go for a run!
But where and how to start? It all can be overwhelming and something that others can do but not me. That is what I thought. I mean, I don’t even have the runner’s body. Short stature and stubby legs are not ideal for running. And, besides, who in their right mind would start running in their 40s? But that is where I started my running journey, right dab in the middle. To be honest, it doesn’t matter when you start, but that you start in the first place.
Through this process, I learned runners come in all shapes and sizes. And age is just a number, not a limit. Heck, the higher you go in age the faster they get. So never underestimate a runner; they will always surprise you with their determination. Sure, running seems simple: Just take one step in front of another but with a pep in the step I like to say. Over time build up with time and distance to strengthen your endurance. As I see it, running is like a metaphor for life: Just keep moving forward, come what may.
My running journey was lackluster until April 2022, when I started to join the TCTC track night at Hanes Park. I was in the Couch to 5K program at River Oaks, with a 5K race set for May 2022. The program was great! We would meet on Mondays, but I recognized the issue of how to get in the other two required runs per week. I had a friend from the Run for God program who joined the Twin City Track Club and said I should check out Tuesday track night. I thought he was crazy, but I decided to come out anyway.
To be honest it was ugly and rough. Running was not my cup of tea. The people there were great, but I felt like I was out there to make them look good. I was in over my head. But once I got over my “Debbie Downer” attitude and put in the work, I steadily made progress. (No offense to those out there named Debbie, because you are amazing.)
But just like that I ended up doing two 5Ks in May 2022, instead of one 5K for the whole year. I completed the River Oaks Run for God program 5K and the TCTC $5K in May. Through the TCTC group’s kindness and my determination, I started to get inspired to push myself to dream.
While I may have missed the $5K in April, I was willing to set my goals to finish the series. This was great as I found a routine, running buddy friends and, heck, even set some goals for myself and not just my kids. I wasn’t just a mom pouring into my kids alone; I started pouring into myself. I thought this would be a great opportunity to show my older son who runs cross country that I can do it too. And maybe, just maybe, we could have more to connect with and something to talk about. Teenage years are hard and finding ways to connect is important.
Life was good until it wasn’t. It was September 2022, and I was ready for another $5K. With a positive attitude and working hard, I was ready to go! But September 12, 2022, my dog passed. I was by his side and my heart was shattered when he left this world. The next day was the $5K race and I debated whether to run. Then I got the text from my cousin that his mom had passed. She had been suffering with ALS and was in Hospice care. We knew she could go at any time, but this was her time. She loved God so I felt peace in her death for she now could do everything her body limited her to on earth. After receiving this news I was determined to run without stopping.
I didn’t care how tough it got; I did not want to stop. I placed a heart in permanent marker over each of my shoulders and ran. It was exhausting and emotional, but I did it: my first 5K without stopping. I ran for the ones I loved, and it was a good run because I ran with my heart. Once the TCTC $5K series finished I placed second in my age group and got the coveted cup as an award. Pretty cool for someone trying to learn how to run.
Next, I was challenged by another TCTC friend who said, “Let’s do a 10K.” To note, this friend has run marathons and me, well we know 5Ks are my big runs. But she insisted and we signed up for the Mayberry 10K in November 2022. My goal was just don’t die. We trained together until the day had come. Yep, by some kind of miracle we both took first place for our age groups. I mean I had no doubts she could do it, but for me it was a long shot. To be honest I was just excited to get the finisher medal let alone a placement medal and first place at that!
Now while I was running high off the win, this amazing friend who had pushed me in the 10K got an injury. We had both signed up for the Mistletoe 5K in December 2022. She debated if she could do it. I stated we don’t have to run, let’s just cross. And so we did! Walking was painful for her, but I stayed by her side. I even offered to carry her. She declined but she did not quit, and we crossed the line together decked out in true Elf fashion and drenched from the rain. It was glorious! A run to cross the finishing line is better than no run at all.
Now the time had come for a distance run. One of the TCTC girls was talking about doing her first half marathon in Delaware, her home state. When I overheard this, I boldly asked if I could join her. Crazy I know: a half marathon, out of state with someone I met less than six months prior. This would sound crazy to the average person but not so much to runners. Well, this friend said yes, so we trained together and separated to get the miles in for practice and shared tips on what we learned along the way that helped or things that just did not work out as expected.
We did it together! My goal was to do a sub 2 because I wanted to beat my 10K pace of 9:10. I placed 14th out of 120 women in my age group with a pace of 9:06. I hit my sub 2 goal at 1:59:13! Heck I am getting faster with distance. This was a great accomplishment and a destination and distance run for the books!
So I guess you could say running has changed my life. It has been an amazing journey of people, places and races. My advice to any runner, new or old, is don’t set limits on yourself, because you never know whom you are inspiring. I mean when I doubted myself, others believed in me.
My heart is full, I found my joy in running. Don’t stop dreaming. Take each race or each run as an opportunity … a run for a run, run for race, run for loved ones, run with heart, run for a win, run for just crossing, run a destination course and run for distance. But whatever you do, just run. It can and will change your life. Say yes to running and you will never have regrets. I will leave you with a song I love: “You Can Do Anything” by Cameron James. Listen to it and be inspired to run your race.
