When I tell people that I have run several half-marathons and one full marathon, they inevitably say, "Oh, I could never do that. I've never been a runner and don't think I ever could be. You're crazy!"
That is exactly what I used to say. In fact, I sang that tune so many times that it made it to the top of my personal billboard charts.
I went through a brief running stint in my early 20s, dragging myself through a few 10k races over an 8-month period. And then I didn't run again for about 10 years.
When my eldest son was just a year old, two neighborhood friends and I stood on the sidelines of the St. George Marathon in southern Utah, watching our husbands cross the finish line, exhausted but elated.
I wanted that feeling...badly. But that would require running.
My two girlfriends, who had already been pounding the pavement a few days each week, convinced me to join them.
"You can do it, Dara. We'll go slowly...we promise. And we can stop and walk whenever you need to."
Uh huh.
I looked at them suspiciously. What was the ulterior motive? Was this some sort of brain-washing, Stepford Wives kind of running cult they were dragging me into?
Was I going to be required to wear matching headbands and sparkly shirts that said, "If found on ground, please drag to finish line"?
Through a mixture of peer pressure and purely delusional thoughts, I laced up a pair of running shoes for the first time in 10 years.
That first run loomed in front of me like Goliath before David. Okay, this was going to be hard, but I should be able to run a least half a mile before walking. Right?
Two blocks in, I had to walk, gasping for breath. From there on out, I claimed that I needed to stop every two blocks to drink water, or I was liable to get a searing side cramp, which would inevitably lead to all sorts of dramatic whining.
This running thing...yeah, it kind of sucked.
This is the pain part.
I'll be completely honest. If it wasn't for my girlfriends, I wouldn't have pulled myself out of bed in those early days. The camaraderie was just as important, if not more so, than the actually running.
I'll be talking more about running with others in next week's post.
The turning point:
I actually can't pinpoint a moment when it all changed. I don't think it was a "light switch on" kind of moment, but rather a gradual progression towards bearable and then even enjoyable pain.
"Enjoyable pain"...an oxymoron of the highest order. But there's some truth to it.
Although I still run with my running partner - and love every minute of our catch-up time - her availability is not a prerequisite to hitting the road. Hey, everybody needs some "alone" time every now and then.
As hard as some workouts may be, there's something so satisfying about running an extra half mile, fighting your way up that hill and pushing through cardio distress (you know, that feeling that your lungs can't stand another minute of it) to the feeling of euphoria and the second wind on the other side.
As many times as I have complained about crawling out of my warm bed at 5:30am to fit in a run, there are at least twice as many times when I finish the run, saying to myself, "I am so glad I did that!"
In fact, I say that every single time. Even on the toughest running days, I feel grateful that my body can carry me through those miles, getting stronger with each step.
But so worth it in the end.
That doesn't mean that I look forward to and embrace every run as though its my last. That would just be a bald-faced lie!
Each day is a concerted effort, a learning process, a challenge on its own.
That's kind of what makes it so great.
Stephanie @ Long Distance Baking
Two years ago I "got into" running and did my first half marathon. Grand ideas of yearly races floated around and my running partner and I vowed to do another race together. But of course, life gets in the way. First it's too cold in the winter. Then it's too hot in the summer. I even once used the excuse that it had just rained and there were too many worms on my running trail that I turned around and went home (I really hate worms…). You're right…running is hard. Sometimes it's not fun. But once you get to that point, where 3, 4, 5 miles is easy…that's when I start enjoying it. Reading through your Boston post reminds me running isn't just about me. It is in some ways, but us runners have to stick together. Thank you for the motivation to lace up my shoes again. I'll be following along on this journey!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
LOL. I laughed at the comment about the worms because my running partner feels the same way! I'm so glad that you'll be joining in on the challenge. The community is a strong one, and will be stronger for having you as a part of it.
Melissa
Awesome Dara - running has always been part of my life but this past year it slipped by the wayside and with a foot injury and making "busy" excuses, I've been having trouble getting motivated to get out there again. This reminded me how great it feels when you're finished, even if you didn't want to start. First up, new running shoes next week 🙂 Thanks!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Ah yes, those busy excuses are hard to brush aside. I'm so glad that you're going to join me in this challenge! Please check in on these posts and let me know how your running is going.
Barbara | Creative Culinary
Years ago when my ex-husband left for his 'true love' and I was alone and scared with two little kids, no job, a huge mortgage and more...I decided I needed to alleviate some of that stress or it would kill me. I had given up many of the physical pursuits I had enjoyed as his involvement with our girls was minimal (and now I knew why!) and I never had a moment alone.
My dear neighbor agreed to come over early each morning while my girls were sleeping so I could start walking a couple of blocks; yes, I had gained some weight thru pregnancy and stress and was not in the best shape of my life...that's for sure.
A couple of blocks became a mile, a mile became two and it wasn't too long before I was walking a 3 mile path around our neighborhood. To push myself a bit further I decided I would 'try' running a bit. It was like the beginning of walking. First just a block then a couple of blocks, then a couple more and I remember to this day that overwhelming sense of elation when I ran the entire 3 miles. It took a full year to get there but once there, there was no stopping me. I started doing some weight training and more at the gym and found an indoor track for the coldest part of winter. I entered some 5K races and loved the entire experience.
Contrary to what some thought, I was not motivated by anger or getting back at my ex...I think what happened to me is that it was the first time in a long time that I found time to dedicate to ME and I loved it. It made me feel not just healthier and strong but simply more valuable; you know...I really did matter!!
I kept with that program for years...and then I broke my leg 4 years ago. Broke it bad. I'll always limp but at least I'm walking and not using a walker! I'm getting settled in a new home without a 2nd floor and giving that poor knee a break but I'm also back on track to gain back some of that strength and yes, again, lose some of the pounds those first 2 years of almost complete inactivity culminated in.
Why do I share ALL of this? I didn't especially care for the notion of walking or even running but I did it because I thought it would make me feel better. At first it was just a chore but there comes a time when it's no longer a chore...it's a need and how wonderful that it's a healthy need right? I've loved watching your journey Dara and hope that people like you (and I) can inspire someone to find the time for yourself, give it a chance, take a risk and yes, in the words of Nike, 'Just Do It.' You won't be sorry, I know I wasn't and it's pretty clear about you Dara...I've seen the change, not just in your body but in your spirit. Trite maybe but so true...You GO Girl!!!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Barb, thank you so much for sharing your story. You are such a wonderful example of someone who spent some quality ME time and took control of their lives in every way. Thank you so much for your kind words and for being such an inspiration yourself!
Liz
Thank you, Dara. Have a Wonderful Sunday.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Liz. The same to you.
Susan
It's been a few years, okay seven, since my last race (the Seattle half marathon) and I had been contemplating running a full marathon every year for years. Now that I've paid off a huge portion of my student loan debt and actually have something called free time, instead of working extra jobs to pay off said student loan debt, I decided it's time to run again. Back in November I started training for the LA marathon. You're right! It's amazing to think that those first few weeks seemed like a lot of running but now a three or five mile run is a piece of cake. The fifteen yesterday...not so much. Thankfully, I have a couple of really great running partners, Abby & Lexi (my yellow and black labs). They get me up every morning and wait semi-patiently at the front door while I attempt to tie my running shoes.
Thank you for sharing your story!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Susan, you are knocking it out of the park! It's so true that those first weeks and months feel so challenging, and amazing to think that you've now worked yourself up to 15 miles. And there's nothing like a couple of energetic pups to get you moving in the morning. Who can resist those "run with me" eye?! Please keep me updated on your journey!
Sharon
PS : Love Your CookBook!
You look great, congrats on your Marathon plus!!!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
A cookbook hasn't happened yet, but I hope you enjoy the recipes on my blog! 🙂
Sharon
You have inspired me! I'm 70 years old just recovering from BC. Cancer free now.
Did the whole nine yards, surgery, chemo, radiation that was my Marathron.
Now I'm ready to get strong, I fought like a girl, now I'm going to run like a girl.
I've enrolled in yoga to get my muscles ready, I'll run the beach everyday, mostly walking but I'll do it!!! I walk now 8000 steps a day (average) and will up the ante.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Sharon, you are amazing! What a fantastic attitude and drive you have. There's nothing like showing cancer whose boss by getting your body strong again post-treatment. I can't wait to hear about your journey. Please keep leaving comments on these posts!
Holly
I don't see a marathon in my future but I relate to your getting started just 2 blocks at a time. I tried the app last summer "from couch to 5k (c25k)" and started very slowly. It was a big help to have the app tell me when to walk and when to run. I'd recommend it to anyone just getting started (especially after a long break from exercising like me).
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks fantastic, Holly! I know lots of people who love the c25k app. And you certainly don't need to run a marathon to call yourself a runner! 🙂
Andrea Campbell
Congratulations!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you, Andrea.
Maria
Thanks for sharing your journey with us! You are inspiring! I can't wait to get my running shoes back on. Hopefully soon:)
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you, Maria! You are always so good about keeping yourself moving, whether it's running or on the elliptical.