I was not very athletic when I was younger, but I ran my first 5k on my 42nd birthday. It was a thrill for me when I crossed that finish line. In fact, for me, it was almost as exciting as giving birth to my two sons. I never really envisioned myself becoming a runner. My motivation came mainly from my mom, after losing her battle with breast cancer. This was a way to channel my grief that made me feel better. Training myself and staying disciplined came fairly easy to me as I had a purpose, plus, I had decided to enter a race. Running has shown me that I can do anything I put my mind to.
As a young child, I took ballet and a little bit of gymnastics, other than that athletics were at a minimum. I wore a Milwaukee back brace for 2 years, during my 10th and 11th grade of high school, for scoliosis. While wearing this brace, my activity was very limited except for swimming laps a few hours a week. After the 2 years, I was good to do any physical activity I chose! During college and continuing after college, I became more active, playing racquet ball, tennis, working out at gyms (where I did the weight machines and aerobic classes) and taking long walks. One of my roommates participated in 5k races and I really admired her for that, but never thought of myself running a race. It’s amazing how you CAN do things you thought you never could!
My mother died while I was working at a hospital in public relations. Several of my co-workers were training for a 10k race in Charleston, SC, The Cooper River Bridge Run. This, for some reason, really piqued my interest. They were in good shape and really talked like this “running thing” was wonderful. It kept you in good shape and running races were fun! Since they were my age and older I began to think, “if they could do this, I could too.” I could stand to be in better shape and lose some pounds plus it would be something to help me take my mind off missing my mom. So I started running at age 41! Since the Cooper River Bridge Run was only a couple of weeks away, I couldn’t join them that year. But, I decided I would look for another race to enter. It just so happened that Myrtle Beach was adding a 5K to their Marathon weekend. So decided to enter this race as I would have 6 months to train for that race!
The first time out, I ran only about a minute, then walked to catch my breath, ran a little more and walked again. I continued this pattern for about a half of mile before I had to quit for the day. After a week, I was running more than walking and that was very exciting. This is what keeps beginning runners motivated and wanting more. Each week was better than the last and I finally made my first hurdle. I ran a complete miIe! I then realized I really could count running as one of my physical activities! After running 1.5, and then 2 miles, I couldn’t believe it was me in this body Running! It’s such an accomplishment to realize you are doing something you never thought you could do! I was feeling like a full-fledge runner so I subscribed to “Runner’s World” and would read the magazines from cover to cover. When I completed my first 3-miler, I was on the top of the world. I have to admit I was rather full of myself and felt like I had to tell everyone I knew, and I did! It was very exhilarating!
It was finally Race day and also my 42nd birthday! Since my mom was not here to share in my life event, I wore her necklace to keep her close to my heart. (I now wear this necklace in every race I run.) My nerves were almost unmanageable. So, I just kept taking deep breaths to keep myself calm. There was an awesome turn out! All ages were in attendance. To me, being a first time race runner, they all looked like they had done this before. I told myself, “keep your pace, keep your pace, don’t get distracted.” The music began and everyone took their places. I knew faster runners were in the front, so I placed myself near the back.
The gun fired and we were off! There were many very fast runners. I felt the adrenaline rush through my body and my legs began to go faster. I had to slow myself down because I felt myself out running my pace and I didn’t want to run out of steam. It was fun hearing the shouting of “You can do it, Keep going, You are doing great” coming from the crowds lined along the street. Seeing the mile markers lit up as I ran past them was great, It enabled me to check my watch and see how I was doing. As I got closer to the finish line I knew I needed to finish fast and strong. As I turned the corner, I saw and heard my family cheering for me! I poured it on and made a mad dash through the finish line. I did it! I ran my first 5K race! And I wasn’t in last place!
Since then I have run several 5ks, 1 10k (The Cooper River Bridge Run!) and trained for a half marathon, that was snowed out, in Myrtle Beach, SC! It is through my new sport that I have become a more confident person. Running has made me realize that although there may be tough obstacles in life, with perseverance, anything can be accomplished. I now really believe my words when I tell my two boys they can do anything they make up their mind to do! All of us, at times, give in to the possibility that we can’t do something for one reason or another. With the right frame of mind, hard work and telling yourself “I can do it”, you CAN do anything! Don’t give up when it gets tough. That is precisely when you need to train harder and try harder. You can do it!