Monday, June 28, 2010

Going the distance

I've always hated running. HATED. LOATHED. I will even admit to feeling twinges of distaste for people who actually enjoyed running.

When I was in grade school, we'd have to run the 1/2 mile monthly and then the dreaded mile run once a year as part of the fitness test. I never ran them. Either of them. On 1/2 mile days I'd just call it a leisurely walk and take my time. On the big day of the annual mile, I can vividly remember begging my mom to let me stay home. She never did. I always had to go. And again, I never ran it. But damn did it take a while for me to walk that mo fo! But really, why rush? To get to the pull-up test? No thanks. Looking back I'm sure my PE teacher found this a maddening hurdle to his scheduling. If that terd hadn't kept me from the coveted "first honors" by gifting me with a C+ every quarter, I might even feel bad.

I also never played any sports. Why? Because they all required running (well, other than softball throughout grade school, which for some reason was the only sport that didn't require runs during practice). I'm still slightly irritated by that. I mean, really, if you can run enough to play the sport, why do you need to just run for runnings sake? But anyway...

And then all my friends started running. All. My. Friends. My friends from childhood, high school, college, mommyhood. All of them. Now, I'm going to admit something that just might shock you. I'm kind of competitive. Ok, wildly competitive. And it started to slowly drive me nuts that everyone was doing this thing that I just did not believe I could even begin to be able to do. Then last November a bunch of my mama buds did the half marathon. I had just had Kell (so at least I had a really good excuse!) so I didn't even consider it, but in the back of my head, I thought, someday...

A few months ago I noticed that a bunch of my previously non-running friends were doing this thing called the C25K. What? Google to the rescue! Couch to 5K. Perfect. I can do the couch, so if we're starting there, I can totally play. Well I did it! And now I'm running a few days a week and have a great friend who joins me (nothing like a running partner to push you). Last weekend her husband was making fun of our 5mi goal distance. A challenge had been issued. I loves me a good challenge...
Next time he should say that he doesn't believe we can make it that far and still be able to WALK afterward. But we did it. And this week we're shooting for 6! And that half marathon this November? You better believe I'll be there.

Almost makes me want to call that grade school gym teacher and ask for a report card amendment. Hehe.

5 comments:

Cara said...

So, I know I've asked about C25K before, and I have probably told you I am so not a runner and never was. Then I read how your grade school running experience went and I see, wow I am so not the only one who refused to run the mile during the fitness test or the "fun runs" throughout the school year. I'm taking baby steps to run hard for 2-3 minutes at a stretch to bring down the time it takes me to reach 2 miles.

I'm wondering if you are noticing a change in your leg shape and if in general all the exercise is giving you motivation when you look in the mirror? I don't ever want to run a marathon, ever, as they are bad for you, but wow to run 5 miles without pause would be amazing and I'm so impressed by your progress!

Maggie said...

Thanks lady! Yes, I'm happier with the shape of my legs than I've been in years. I'm trying to hold onto that since the scale is so far not budging.

Keep me posted lady - wish we could run together!

Cara said...

You would run so many circles around me, but I wish we could too. You would be such a great motivating force for me like your running buddy is for you. I do not make myself go to the gym for cardio as much as I should. Since I don't have kids yet, I should enjoy the time when I could do this at 6 a.m. and not have any obligations.

Maggie said...

Yes Cara! Take advantage of your child-freedom :) And I seriously would not be motivated at all without a buddy!! You should find one!

H. said...

I also did the C25K...and I am still not fulling running the 5K, BUT I can run 20 minutes at once which is huge for me...I hated running my whole life, so I feel good about myself and love having little goals. I see the scale finally moving ( I have a 2.5 year old and an 11 month old) and am seeing overall fitness progress!
Very impressed by YOUR progress! wish we could be running buddies!