Running Duo

For the last 6 months or so, I've been running. I always want to put that word in quotes because I would never really qualify myself as a runner. In fact, I've always just about downright hated running, unless it had a purpose...like playing basketball. After listening to a friend of mine talk about how running seemed to help her mood and attitude, I decided I should give it a try. (Can you tell I was desperate to do something about my awful attitude?!?)

I love to watch others run. Some make it look so darn easy, and I yearn for running to come with ease and grace like them. Others, when I watch them, make me feel pretty darn okay about my running. I cheer for them and mentally scream, "You go! Awesome! Keep it up." Or there are those that make me think: If they can run, then by golly, so can I.

So, I keep on running. I have yet to find the ease and grace. I still have yet to find the fun in it. But after completing a run, I find a little bit of satisfaction...maybe even a little pride.

To challenge myself, I have run a couple of 10Ks (6.2 miles). I ran one back in April as a fundraiser for Tilikum. I decided I needed another boost in my ego, so I ran another one last weekend. At the last minute, I decided to see if Daria wanted to run the 5K with a friend. She said yes! So, off the two of us went.

I didn't accomplish anything grand....BUT...I did finish...and that is always a good feeling. The fun thing about running a 10K is that, for me, it is doing something beyond what I think I'm capable of. I overheard someone say to someone once: "Never underestimate what you can accomplish." I kept reminding myself of that as I ran my little 10K. Like I said, I wasn't grand...but I finished...and that is something!

I don't know why I was surprised, because my daughter is always blowing me away with the things she can accomplish, but Daria came in third in her age group for completing the 5K (3.1 miles)! She ran the whole way!! I was impressed because, even though she plays awesome soccer, she doesn't run distance at all. On top of that, she totally rocked my typical 5K time. I usually run about 3.2 miles every day and she blew my time out of the water! Not sure if that is a testament to her awesomeness or an indictment to my aging body and my diminishing abilities!! Either way...she rocked!

Here we are as I am nearing the finish of my 10K. After waiting a while for me to finish, Daria backtracked and found me just before the finish line.


See? I really did run. And I ran the entire time. I promise.


Roses for the Victors.