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.
kelley
I'm so glad you're sharing your story. You're a true inspiration! How many times have I told you I'm not a runner? Now I wonder if I'm just lying to myself…. humph.
Tess
You inspired me with your post! Normally I run at night and in weekends. I am planning on taking a run BEFORE work tomorrow. I have to get up at 6:15 am, not nearly as early as your 5:30 but I'm still a bit nervous whether I will hear my alarm clock.. I hope I do and I hope it will give me energy throughout my work day.Thanks!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Good for you, Tess! I won't lie...it's hard to pull yourself out of bed first thing in the morning. But Nike says it all - "Just do it". I promise that you won't regret it. It's such a great way to start the day!
Tess
Well, I did it! It feels great, although I am looking forward to lunch break even more than usual 😉
Thanks again, and I love your recipes as well.
Kirsten | My Kitchen in the Rockies
My son is a runner, He loves it. I also hear your words through him. You are a true inspiration, Dara. Allerliebste Gruesse. Kirsten
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you, Kirsten! It's great to hear that your son is out there, hitting the roads. Any chance that you'd want to join me in this challenge?
Trish @infinebalance
I read the first post about "run like a girl" yesterday and it got on the treadmill this morning. It is so true - you never regret a run. You might not enjoy it, but you will not regret it.
thanks for this. This is just what I needed to get back at it.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I'm so glad, Trish! Please keep me updated on how the running is going for you.
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour)
I'm really glad to see this. I really, really want to start running but it's almost like I can't find a starting point, I'll never be able to, it's too hard. Hearing that others had the same feelings at one point, well that makes it so much better for me! Motivational!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Not to be cliche, but it truly happens one step at a time. You can do this, Kim!
Divacowgirl
Almost inspires me to try it again
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Cheering you on! I would love to have you as part of the challenge.
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
I love this post, Dara! After a few years off, I've been running 3-4 days a week since July. Some runs are easier than others, but I never regret going - even if it involves putting on extra gear to face the 46 degree winter days!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
You said it, Laura! There's no regret...just that feeling of satisfaction at the end of a run. I have to tell you...46 degrees sounds idyllic right about now. 🙂
Jodee Weiland
Great job, Dara! Because of asthma that isn't helped much outdoors here in the Midwest and knee injuries from a fall I took while jogging outdoors a few years back, I jog in place indoors everyday on my mini trampoline for 65 minutes or more. Sometimes I will do another 30 to 40 minutes later in the day because I enjoy it so much. I would love to do more outdoors, but while the mini trampoline has helped strengthen my knees, the asthma depends on environmental counts. You have to be able to breathe to run. Maybe I'll try again when we get better weather in the spring, but no matter what I will continue to jog indoors on the mini trampoline. Good luck to you on your continued efforts and accomplishments.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Wow, that is fantastic, Jodee! Whether you're inside on the treadmill or trampoline, or outside on the road or trails, a runner is a runner. Way to go!
Cindy @ Kicking it In
Oops, only part of my reply came through! I meant to add that the above is what running gives you - a new center of power that comes from living this way - challenging and triumphing every time you lace up. Everyone you meet sees this confidence in you, the runner. It's not about meeting some irrelevant standard of what a "real" runner is. That is the crazy part! It's about the effort and growth, inside and out.
Everyone on this thread who has made the decision, CONGRATS! I am so inspired just reading through his page! Everyone on the fence, come on. We will do this together. It takes a village!
Xoxo
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
There's really no sense in comparing yourself with someone else. Everybody has a different experience with running and runs at a different pace. It truly is about personal growth. Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments, Cindy. You're are always so inspiring to me!
Cindy @ Kicking it In
Dara, you've said it straight- up honestly here. There is NO magic light switch that gives you unlimited and constant motivation to run for the sheer joy of it. Pain is involved. Bad runs happen for seemingly no reason. But you do improve, inside and out. I find it's the life you create in and around running that gives you the joy - from nailing workouts in tough times, to simply choosing
to invest in yourself when you could find 100 excuses to blow off your run on any given day. And great "bragging right" stories of the highs and lows that go with running.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
It's so true...there rarely appears to be a rhyme or reason for "good" or "bad" runs, but it's the feeling from knocking it out, and the improvement over time, that gives me great satisfaction.