Posts
I post updates all the time on Facebook about how far I've run and how fast. The other day, my friend Marilyn asked me teasingly, "You keep running. When will you get there?"
My current goal? March 21, Marilyn. Atlanta.
Right now, I'm in my ninth week of training for my first full marathon -- the ING Georgia Marathon. I've run quite a few half-marathons, most recently the Nike Women's in San Francisco. But never the full 26.2 miles.
Some days, like this past Saturday, I wonder why the hell I'm doing this. Even if you run a lot, you have bad runs, runs that hurt, that just aren't fun or rewarding. Saturday I ran 12 miles, which, when you are training for a half marathon, is about the longest training run you do. That means my coming long run this Saturday will be the farthest distance I've run -- 14 miles. And the distances will stay up there -- my longest training run will be Feb. 27 -- until the week before the race, when it drops down to 10. By then, that should feel easy.
I mostly run by myself, so posting about it is my way of staying accountable to you, my friends. If I haven't posted in a few days about running, call me on it and ask, "What's up? Are you slacking off?"
I wrote a letter to one of my daughters around Christmas, thanking her for her part in making my running possible, and explaining why it's so important to me:
"This past year, my running has saved me. At a time when it seemed my world, my life, was crumbling around me, running is something I’ve been able to do, one step, one mile, one day at a time that has made me stronger, able to get past a time of great disappointment and sadness.
"Running is time I spend on myself, because no matter how much you do for the other people in your life, you have to have something that is just for yourself. I have set goals, I have improved, I have not quit.
"Running gives me time to think, to listen to music, or stories, or sometimes just my breathing and the sound of my feet on the road. Give yourself time to sing, time to listen to what’s inside of you, time to breathe and think.
"The friends I’ve made through running have also saved me. I mostly run alone because I’m slow, and I’m not a talker when I’m running. But by sharing this interest with other strong people who take care of themselves, I’ve expanded my world, created a circle of friends I didn’t have before. They have lifted me up at times when I was too sad to lift myself. No one can get through life alone – find people who care about you and allow them to help you.
"Why do I run? Because when things go wrong, you can’t crumble up and quit. You have to keep on, getting better, for yourself and the people in your life who depend upon you. In my life, that is you kids. I’ve needed the strength that running has given me so I can still be a good mom, maybe even a BETTER mom than I used to be, for you. I want you to see, through my example, how important it is to do something you love, even if that something is HARD. Nothing worth doing comes easy. You have to put in the effort."
So where am I going? Atlanta, 26.2 miles. After that, I haven't decided yet. I may decide I never need to run another marathon; I'm not sure yet.
But I won't stop running.
My current goal? March 21, Marilyn. Atlanta.
Right now, I'm in my ninth week of training for my first full marathon -- the ING Georgia Marathon. I've run quite a few half-marathons, most recently the Nike Women's in San Francisco. But never the full 26.2 miles.
Some days, like this past Saturday, I wonder why the hell I'm doing this. Even if you run a lot, you have bad runs, runs that hurt, that just aren't fun or rewarding. Saturday I ran 12 miles, which, when you are training for a half marathon, is about the longest training run you do. That means my coming long run this Saturday will be the farthest distance I've run -- 14 miles. And the distances will stay up there -- my longest training run will be Feb. 27 -- until the week before the race, when it drops down to 10. By then, that should feel easy.
I mostly run by myself, so posting about it is my way of staying accountable to you, my friends. If I haven't posted in a few days about running, call me on it and ask, "What's up? Are you slacking off?"
I wrote a letter to one of my daughters around Christmas, thanking her for her part in making my running possible, and explaining why it's so important to me:
"This past year, my running has saved me. At a time when it seemed my world, my life, was crumbling around me, running is something I’ve been able to do, one step, one mile, one day at a time that has made me stronger, able to get past a time of great disappointment and sadness.
"Running is time I spend on myself, because no matter how much you do for the other people in your life, you have to have something that is just for yourself. I have set goals, I have improved, I have not quit.
"Running gives me time to think, to listen to music, or stories, or sometimes just my breathing and the sound of my feet on the road. Give yourself time to sing, time to listen to what’s inside of you, time to breathe and think.
"The friends I’ve made through running have also saved me. I mostly run alone because I’m slow, and I’m not a talker when I’m running. But by sharing this interest with other strong people who take care of themselves, I’ve expanded my world, created a circle of friends I didn’t have before. They have lifted me up at times when I was too sad to lift myself. No one can get through life alone – find people who care about you and allow them to help you.
"Why do I run? Because when things go wrong, you can’t crumble up and quit. You have to keep on, getting better, for yourself and the people in your life who depend upon you. In my life, that is you kids. I’ve needed the strength that running has given me so I can still be a good mom, maybe even a BETTER mom than I used to be, for you. I want you to see, through my example, how important it is to do something you love, even if that something is HARD. Nothing worth doing comes easy. You have to put in the effort."
So where am I going? Atlanta, 26.2 miles. After that, I haven't decided yet. I may decide I never need to run another marathon; I'm not sure yet.
But I won't stop running.
If you follow Terry's footsteps, after that you'll get into triathlons...first a sprint, then an olympic,then a half ironman, then the real deal: Ironman.
ReplyDeleteI'm proud of you!
I am so very proud of you! You set an example for me of dignity and strenth that I hope to embody myself. I know your path a bit and, though not easy, I have been impressed with your grace and courage all along the way. Go for it, girl! I will be rooting for you the whole way!!
ReplyDeleteDawan
Whew! What a tremendous goal..here's to whatever the follow through on that goal looks like for you.
ReplyDeleteI soo hear you on the motivations for running and it's probably why it's been a part of my life for almost 2 decades..there's freedom in it for me...release...feeling of empowerment and also a tranquil respite..I do so much good meditating while I'm running. :) So grateful to know you :) and eager to follow your progress with running and with life....and i'd add to your friend..we always get there...:) b/c we are constantly moving forward...:)