When I say "our," I really do mean us. I am referring to Brian's support and insistence that I get out and run and just get the job done (I think of this kind of encouragement as two-steps: 1) stop whining and just do it, followed by 2) I'm so very proud of you). I am referring to Maia's "Go MOMMMMMMYYYYYY!" yells as I crossed the finish line, and her own enthusiasm for running races herself. I'm referring to my sister Katie's determined support, running with me every step of the way at a pace surely much slower than her usual. She provided me with tips on form and suggestions for how to mentally prepare for the hill that was just around the bend, as well as how to approach the power run across the finish when I had just the fumes of my energy reserves left.
My time didn't matter. It didn't matter that my pace, at times, was barely faster than a brisk walk. What mattered is that I ran over five out of 6.2 miles with very little real training, and that my sister helped me to do it. I can't thank her enough. It was very, very cool to join 8,000 people in 80-degree sun for the simple purpose of feeling my feet pound over 6.2 miles of Huron-riverside pavement.
I'm at a place now with my running, it appears, at which I can run a full 5K with almost no preparation. It wouldn't be a personal best time or anything like that, but I could run the whole way and finish it. So, in order to challenge myself and keep up my post-Eli physical conditioning, I have to work towards faster 5K times or full 10K runs with no walking. Ultimately, my goal is to run a half-marathon during the 2012 calendar year (perhaps Chicago's in October?).
3 comments:
I love how Katie was your running doula. That is so cool. Thanks for the encouragement. I don't think I would ever have taken up running if a good friend hadn't shown me that it really IS possible to go from the couch to 5K. My summer goal chart has listed, "Try to get up to 8K or shave 5 minutes off of my current 5K time." I'll keep my fingers crossed and encouragement going your direction if you do the same back for me!
I run on our neighborhood track three or four mornings a week, but I don't keep up a jog for a full 5K: that'd be, what, 12.5 times around a standard track?
I honestly don't know if I can run a 5K - by myself, that is. If I were running with a partner who's running a 5K, I could probably do it. Cara, maybe this summer when I visit MI...?
I'd love to run with Katie as a "running doula" - but, if you ladies don't mind, I'd prefer to just use the word "coach." :-)
All I did was ask how you were doing a couple times, and remind myself (outloud, and therefore you as well) to lean back when going uphill. No big deal...it was fun!
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