A couple of years ago, around 2008, if you asked me to join
you for a run or to participate in a foot race, I simply would have told you
that “running is against my religion.” I hated running and saw no purpose to
it. But that was all soon to change. I was, at that time, a light smoker,
though I am ashamed to admit it. I moved to Charleston, WV the summer of 2008
and happened to get extremely ill – in part to my disgusting habit. Saving the
gruesome details, that included but are not limited to a spinal tap and a
bronchoscopy, I opted to quit smoking and attempt a healthier lifestyle. Emily
was completing a rotation in Charleston at this time and she suggested that I
join the cousins and aunts in their newest endeavor: to run a 10K in every
state. Frantic to give anything a try that would prevent such a harrowing
experience from occurring again, I told her that I would join. To keep me to my
word, she kindly informed me that there was the Richmond, VA Monument Ave 10K
the following March and I could either “train and do well, or not and be
miserable,” but I was running the race regardless. I took her advice to train,
which proved rather difficult with my recovering lungs.
On March 31, 2009 I completed my very first 10K with a bib
time of 1:16:34. Since this race, I have ran four more 10Ks (still needing to
catch up on some states that were run before I joined the group), and until
recently this was my best time. I did not take training seriously, and honestly
I still hated running. Instead of being something that I saw as pointless, it
came to signify the improvement my lungs had made since that fateful day on
July 22, 2008. And yet, I was still not a fan. I slowly made my way through three
more 10Ks, trying to convince myself that maybe it wasn’t all that bad. I
trumped up my lack of training to being “too busy in graduate school” to take
the time out to run - the excuse “I have a thesis to write” came out of my
mouth more than I care to admit.
But then my outlook changed in March 2012. The history
department at the University of Kentucky hired a new staff member, Bridget Ash,
who happened to be a dedicated runner. I had a slight habit of marketing myself
as a runner, despite my clear dislike of it and lack of actual runs. I, of
course, did not hesitate to inform her of my imaginary status. At this time, I
had already signed up for the Cleveland Experience 10K (as described in Matt’s
post), and decided that maybe I should actually *try* to run the whole race. I
told her my goal for the 10K and she offered to train with me. I put it off and
put it off, constantly claiming that my time was much too slow for her. She
finally roped me into running with her one evening after work. She assured me
that I was faster than I thought because surely all the swing dancing I did put
me in good shape. Well, as much as I hate to admit it, she was right. We went
out and did four miles at a pace that was two minutes faster than my best
recorded time. I continued to train with her, keeping my new 9:30 pace, and
became more and more determined to run the Cleveland race in its entirety. Eventually,
Bridget convinced me that if I could run the 10K in its entirety, then what’s
to keep me from training for a half marathon. At this point, I thought, “What
the heck?! If I can do this, LET’S train for a half!”
Unfortunately, the week of the race, I did something stupid. Very
stupid. In a fit of idiocracy, I decided that it was a very good idea to attend
a swing dancing aerial practice, and instead of keeping to a move that I was
sure I could tackle (it’s similar to one I already know), I attempted one that
was beyond my abilities. When I was supposed to do a round-off over the lead's
head, I did a cartwheel causing me to land on my ankle in a not-so-pleasant
manner. I heard the “pop” and just sat there angry with myself. My ankle was
wrapped for the days to follow and I could not move it very well. To say that I
sprained it may, in fact, be an understatement. I iced it every chance I got,
kept it wrapped, and took it as easy as possible, which for someone as active
as me is hard to do. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to run the race that
was a mere four days away.
Well, May 20, 2012 came as surely as the dawn. I had spent
the previous day judging how well I could walk and move my ankle. By this
point, it only hurt if I flexed it in one particular manner, which I did not
think would happen in the race. I admit with pride that I am a very stubborn
person, and I refused to give up on this race. At the start line, I remember
thinking “Oh no, my ankle is still a little stiff.” But as soon as I heard the
starting gun, I was off. I finished the race with my fastest 10K time (59:42:00)
and my fastest recorded mile (9:07). I even beat Mike (just don’t let him know
I’m still bragging)!
This was only the beginning. I returned to Lexington and
started on my half marathon training. I decided that I would set my first half
a year out, aiming to participate in the Derby City Marathon and Half that is
held in Louisville, KY every year as part of the Kentucky Derby celebrations.
This plan lasted a few weeks. As I started training more and more (with
Bridget’s kind assistance), I talked myself into moving the date of my first
half up six months. I am now signed up to run the Iron Horse Half Marathon in
Midway, KY on October 14, 2012.
Thus far, my training has been right on schedule. Lucky for
me I have beautiful landscape to help me through the long miles. Yesterday,
Sunday, July 1, I ran my first consecutive 9 miles. Bridget and I started our
route in the parking lot of Keeneland Horse Park and continued out the back
gate to the terrain of secluded country roads and beautiful horse farms. Today
and tomorrow will be spent as “rest days,” which are built into my schedule,
and I will use them to help me prepare to race the Bluegrass 10K on Wednesday,
July 4. Hopefully I will be able to post with new record times.
Until then, I hope you all enjoyed my long-winded story.
Chao.
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