I love to run - I think. I actually believe I have an unhealthy love/hate relationship with running. As a heavy child and teenager the thought of running was scary. I was always involved in sports and sports teams as a teenager and lived in fear of being forced to run. I always felt I never measured up and never quite ...got there.
As a younger adult I never really thought about running as recreation, fitness or therapy. I actually can't remember ever thinking about running at all. It wasn't until my weight had crept up really high and my fitness level was in the toilet that I even considered running to be something I might do.
Let me be clear here - I am not a sprinter by any definition of the word. I am a slow(er) runner. I think my best 10K finish time is just over an hour. I am also not what the world would consider a "pretty" runner. I sweat, turn red, my hair gets messy and generally I look like hell. Doesn't matter the distance or speed. I look like shit after a run. But I always feel great, that is why I think I love running.
Unfortunately for me I have not had the best experience with running. I have been hurt (knocked down) during a race that resulted in a misdiagnosed injury that still haunts me 5 years later. The result is a leg shorter than the other. Just a little, but enough that every step is impacted. Being fit now and feeling invincible I did a half marathon without specific training and ended up being sent to the hospital with a suspected blood clot or compartment syndrome in my leg. It's no wonder that when I bring up the subject of running, my husband just says no.
But,I love to run. I love to run alone. Just me, my music and fresh air. Love it! I love the race day anticipation and the feeling of being a part of the day. So I am about to embark on another running adventure. Round 4 if you will. I have taken part in 3 half marathons - two were not so bad...love the distance...and one disastrous. My goal is to finish the half in a respectable time (to be determined) and not get hurt, bitten by a dog or embarrassed by a 75 year old. I think it's a great opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and face a relatively new/old fear and check something else off my list of things to accomplish. It's also a great opportunity to produce more writing material and a GREAT chance to laugh at myself and maybe make someone else laugh too.
So, here we go.....
I will keep you posted!
Kathi
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