Runner

Today, I forked over $48.50 for my first 5K, happening end of March. If you want to run with (or, most likely quite faster than) me, the details and some more thoughts from yours truly can be found at Bodies in Motivation today.

I don't know if I've mentioned this, but growing up my dad was a race director in San Francisco, and my family was part of a running organization (who, wow, are still around and have a website). He directed the San Francisco Marathon and lots of other races, too, and that running group was my family. I spent holidays and birthdays with them and many of them even came to my wedding, years and years after I left California. For many, Sunday is a day to worship, but for most of my childhood Sunday was a day to rise early and go to a race. I rarely ran though and when I did run, even as a kid, I walked a lot of it. Running never came easy to me, although both my parents used to run often.

Some people have no desire to run or to exercise through running, but it's always been a (seemingly hard to reach) goal of mine.

I know what a running community looks and feels like. I just don't know what it looks and feels like to be a runner.

Last night, although it was only three straight minutes before switching to a fast-paced walk as part of my Couch to 5K intervals, it was the first time in five weeks I felt this goal wasn't crazy and that somehow, someway I would be able to do this.

One day I'll be a runner.

Comments

[Raven]

Go you!

[Elsha]

Good for you! I fall in the "no desire to run or exercise by running" camp myself.

[Cass]

You totally will be. I remember the first day that I ran for the full 5k without stopping....I felt SO fulfilled. Like I had really done something.

[Kristabella]

Good for you!

I did a similar program to Couch to 5k back in 2007. I ran an 8k and only walked through the water station. I was so proud of myself because like you, I've never been a runner.

Now I need to get back to being able to do that!

Good luck!

[Marie Green]

Crazy, but I could have almost written this post, verbatim.

My dad was a marathon runner, and we too rose early many-a-Sunday to attend a race. I too know what a running community looks like, but I've always struggled with running as well. And I've always wanted to be a runner, but found the goal to be lofty.

Also, I recently agreed to run a 5 MILE race on the 4th of July. And I've done C25K before, so I'm about to dust that off, and see how much beyond that I can go. (I would love to not have to walk any of the 5 miles...)

[Elizabeth]

You are! You got out there and you ran for three minutes! You ARE a runner!

[Sharon]

That's awesome! And I agree with Elizabeth - you definitely ARE a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or well you run. You're doing it, and that's all that matters. Good luck with your further training!

I start my yearly training routine on Saturday, and I'll be doing a 10k in May. Should be great!

[Kristie]

We still need to get together for a run. Soon, I hope!

[Heather]

We shouldn't cheat ourselves out of feeling like runners just because we'll never qualify for the Boston Marathon (honestly, who can run an 8-minute mile, much less 26 of them????!!!!), or because we have to stop and walk part of the way to avoid imminent and certain death. When you are lined up at the starting line to that 5k, you are going to be a RUNNER, and you are going to feel HIGH. It's so emotional. You are just going to be so damn proud of yourself, and we're going to be proud of you!

[Ellen]

I'll never be a runner. I'd be satisfied with being a get-off-my-couch-er!!! I found you through Katy's blog, and I smiled when I saw your header—my little boy is utterly obsessed with purple right now ("ur-ul" he calls it). Nice to meet you.

[Erin (Snarke)]

Running is something that has always intrigued me. I love the idea of it and I've tried to stick with Couch to 5K more times than I can count (though I have yet to make it through the second week--am slacker) and have loved the endorphin high that comes from actually moving my ass instead of sitting on it. Still though, whenever I get the urge I hear the siren song of Doritos and my comfy couch and, well....this is all a long way of saying Good For You! I hope someday I can stop getting in my own way and do the running thing as well.

[HollyLynne]

You rock!

[Kerri Anne]

YAY! for your first 5k. I ran my first 5k with my little sister (who is an avid runner) a few years ago and it was AWESOME. It totally hurt, but it is still one of my most favorite memories ever. I'm running a 5k (with friends!) the weekend of St. Patrick's Day in March, woot!