It takes preparation to run a race or to go on a
long bike ride or even walk 500 miles across Spain. You need to train. I have a
difficult time considering myself a runner. I’ve taken up running off and on
throughout my life since I was a kid. But most seriously 4 years ago after my
daughter, Lindsay and I attempted the Little Rock half marathon with no
training and then the MacArthur Park 5k with no training. Not the smartest
decisions.
I still have a difficult time when someone calls
me a runner. I just don’t consider myself to be in this class of people. But I
have learned some things about what it might take to be a runner and to run a
race. I have learned that it’s better if you do some build up before you just
go out and run (or ride/sit on a bike for 50 miles or walk the Camino).
I have had an injury since last October, most
likely because I didn’t train well for a half marathon. Because of that I hadn’t
run in a race from the middle of October until the first of May. I tried a
couple of training runs—walk/runs; and walked and cycled but truth be told
running really scared me. The fear of putting that kind of pressure and bounce
on my Achilles tendon even when I thought it might be healed was beyond words.
So for six months I have not been a runner.
On Friday night, because my husband’s favorite
5K was happening and my daughter really enjoys running together, I agreed to
run. I was very nervous. Sure, I could’ve walked. But it seemed as good an
opportunity to step out in faith and try to run.
I didn’t run the whole way but I did run. And
while I was not trained up for the whole 5k it felt good to be back running. One
of the most exciting parts for me was cheering others on as they passed me or I
passed them. As I was running the last quarter of a mile I was able to
encourage and run a woman almost to the finish she was struggling to finish.
And then as Lindsay and I waited for Jim we were able to run him in and he got
his first medal.
I missed running––the joy of the race for sure––but
more than that the simple pleasure, daily grind, persistent discipline of
preparing for it. Because when you spend the time preparing, the “race” is
truly a joy.
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