So last week, I gave forewarning that I might not workout as much as I should. Well, I kept that promise and I didn't do anything. Mainly because I was away. So, I resolved that the beginning of this week that I would follow my entire training regimen and just be thankful for the rest time. After all, I am or was a week ahead of schedule.
So far this week, I have competed 8 miles. I actually just finished a great 5 mile run at night. I don't usually run at night because I don't like running in the dark. Being a young woman, you can never be too careful. However, the local police had multiple speed traps set up throughout the neighborhoods and I took great care to only run in well lit areas. Actually, it was one of my more successful runs because I went up and down a lot of challenging hills. As time goes on, I decided that I will work on my speed, but for right now I decided that building the endurance is the most important thing for me to do.
As you can imagine, running 5 miles can lead you to some time to ponder on your own. I began to think about where this craziness of me wanting to run so much really began. I realized I owe a lot of where I am to two of my friends, Annie and Casey. Why these two?
Well, I will start with Annie. Annie is a former co-worker of mine and very good friend. About 2 years ago her boyfriend signed her up for the MCM 10k. She really wanted me to run it with her. I said I would, even though I could barely run a .10 of a mile. Over the summer, I really didn't train and in August I became painfully aware of the fact that the 10k just wouldn't happen. I set my sights on doing a 5k on Halloween and then building up to running a race with her. Here I am almost two years from that point and ironically, I am the one who has urged and motivated her to run a half marathon with me. Since Amanda will be running with her friend, Annie and I will run together. So, it took me a little longer than I would have liked, but I kept my promise to Annie.
The other person who I owe a tremendous debt to is my friend, Casey. Casey is a co-worker of mine who may be bordering on the edge of insanity. But, the good kind of insane. He has competed in tough mudder, warrior dash, countless races, and basically anything extreme. In December, he took on the World's Toughest Mudder. It was like 48 hours of a repeated 10 mile loop with ice baths, electrical wires, and things that only the mentally and physically tough would even contemplate doing. Look up the words "hard core" in the dictionary and I am pretty sure you will see a picture of him back flipping into a vat of ice water with no qualms whatsoever. He's that extreme. Aside from my admiration of his incredible abilities, I owe him a lot because I have to say I think he was the only person to truly believe in me. When I first decided to run that first 5k, he was there offering me advice and guidance as to what to do. He even ran with me around the track the week before the race and offered words of encouragement. Through minor injuries, defeated attitudes, and personal best times Casey has always cheered me on. It may sometimes just be a like of status on facebook and sometimes it is just to check in and see how my training is doing, but his positivity gave me the courage to not only try that first 5k, but to push for a half marathon and now to attempt to complete a marathon in October.
My point is this, while running is a solitary sport sometimes you need a support system. I like having a common activity to bond me with my friends and sometimes when I am defeated I need people like Annie and Casey to keep me putting one foot in front of the other. If you haven't found a buddy, and it doesn't need to be a direct running buddy who pounds the pavement with you day after day, but just someone to share your achievements with, then I suggest getting one. I don't think I would be where I am today without these individuals. Although, my friend Amanda deserves a lot of credit for getting me to step up my game.
Well, I will post on Sunday after I finish my insane 11 mile run before Easter dinner at my Aunt's.
Adios and happy running :-)
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