Monday, October 17, 2011

Run Run

Chris forced us to start a weird habit. When Eric took up running, Chris was a little younger than Sam is now, and he would call it RunRun. Daddy go RunRun. Daddy all done RunRun? That sort of thing. Well, fast forward almost 4 years later, and we still are calling them runruns. Only now (how's this for crazy?), Mommy has joined the crazies.

Kathleen and I are running together on Tuesdays and Fridays. I can announce this because we've now done it two weeks straight so it must be a habit. This past week we bumped it up with 90 second runs, and 2 minutes of walking for 1/2 hour on Tuesday. Then on Friday night, she came out and we really kicked it up a notch, and did 90s and 2s for the entire 5K. Oh yes! And we did the whole thing with 5 minute warm up and cooldowns in 55 minutes. I'm so Proud of her.

And we keep each other going. Yesterday, of course, I didn't feel like running. But I know she was knocking it out in Chicago, so I headed out to Pittsboro. I was officially starting out Week 7, which should have been a 2 1/2 mile run, roughly 25 minutes, so they say. Yeah, for fast people. Last week, I was exceedingly proud of myself as I ran 1 mile, walked a quarter, ran another mile, walked a quarter, and a third mile, in a glorious 47 minutes! Which I calculated was enough so that when we run in Disney World I won't get scooped up by the Bus.

Last night was supposed to be a 2.5 mile run. Only when I reached that same spot where I had hit 2.5 and died, with hip pain and numb toes a few weeks back. I realized I wasn't dead. I couldn't kick it up, but I had it within me to keep doing what I was doing. Plus Karin really kept me going, honoring me by sharing her story. I was so enthralled, I didn't have the heart to interrupt to say I was Done. And come to think of it, I wasn't done. I was just achy, and thought I couldn't do it, but just kept plugging. I kept looking off for the next streetlight, and used it as my focal point. Much like labor I use focal points and power breaths.
But really most of all I have a great cheer crew, who distracted me from the fact I was feeling on the verge of dying. So we made it all the way back to Karin's house, and I walked the cul-de-sac a little then stopped I realized I didn't die.

I stretched out on the cold concrete of her sidewalk, as they continued on, and in the peace and quiet, I didn't cry. I wasn't in that much pain. So I stretched, and got in the car and went home.

When I got home I felt great. How weird is that?!



This terrible photo is for Karin, who always insists on taking pictures. Only she was super crazy and kept running for a total of 9 miles, so I snapped myself when I came home...only to hear Sam screaming his head off. So a quick bad shot to mark the occasion. A momentous occasion!

I ran 5K. The whole thing. All by myself. And didn't stop at all. I'm a bit proud of myself. It was 3. 07 miles in 45 minutes, roughly 15 minute miles. Woohoo!

As long as I can keep myself up for the next 9 weeks, I'll be kicking all kinds. May even get some of my money's worth out of that gym I joined. ;)

And I just want to say to those of you who say I'm crazy for taking up running, Crazy is as Crazy does. I'm not crazy, at least not any crazier than I was before. Please don't say I'm crazy. I'm getting healthy. I'm going to be cheering on the sidelines as my kids grow up. I'm going to have my health. And that's Motivation, not Crazy.
I'm not one of those insane runners who has a desire to go run a marathon. I'm pretty darn happy to have run an entire 5K aka 3.1 miles consecutively. No Marathons - Not right now. Maybe if I keep in shape, I'll do more, like 4 miles. I might want to do more, keep pushing my limits, that's why I did it. I did it to prove I could (or couldn't). Karin challenged me, saying How do I know I can't run if I've never tried. so I tried. In a few months I plan to tell you, "We came, we saw, we kicked its ass!" But not yet. Last night, I came, I saw, I conquered.
And that is Just Fine for me. I can't wait to see what challenges the coming months are going to bring.
But I want you to take a moment and look at me. If I can do this - Me, with my plantar fasciitis, obese, bum knee, and all around crappy back, then you, my faithful readers, can do this too.

2 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Cathy...I am SO proud of you! That is just amazing! To run the entire 5K!?!? I'm just sitting here so impressed! And you are inspiring me! I'm still walking some, running some, and not up to 5K yet, but I've started the process...

jules said...

I think you are looking fabulous!!!