Chasing Miles

So late lee, I’ve been running again. I may be running like a herd of turtles, but I’m running. While I’m running, I imagine myself leaping with great strides like the “Chariots of Fire” theme inspires, but the reality is more like the tortoise and the hare race with me as the tortoise…but guess what he ends up the victor! 

I’ve challenged my youngest daughter to run as well and we have a half marathon on the horizon! Physical training is important, but mental training is necessary as well.   In the beginning when the gun sounds, you are like “Yay! Here we go!” Caught up in all the steps of those around you and not wanting to hold anyone up, you are running fast!  Um…maybe a little too fast for the training you have done! This has happened to me too many times to count. I was introduced to the love of running back in my thirties. I loved meeting my pals for early morning runs even in frigid southern temperatures! I ran my first 5k in my small little hometown.  One of the girls that I had been running with, stayed right by my side. I kept trying to get her to go on without me as I know she could have medaled in that race, but instead she remained by my side coaching me, talking to me and simply running along beside me in silence as the cop on the four wheeler idled behind us (since we were the last two) dutifully making sure the last of the runners crossed the finish line. 

I can’t tell you how excited I was! I had FINISHED that race! My first one done and in the books and that was the beginning!  I’m sure the volunteers cheering with me were actually cheering because finally they could pack up and go home…LOL!

The next year I ran that race with my oldest daughter who was in 5th grade at the time (now she’s 26 years old) and she pulled me across that finish line in 29 minutes.  We made headlines as we battled one another at the end to see who’s toe would cross the line first…hers did! But, it was something I’ll never forget. Her first one and we did it together. Then, my youngest decided she wanted to run and we ran a few 5K’s, then she ran cross country in high school.  A couple of years ago, she wanted to run the GATE River Run in Jacksonville. It’s a wonderful 15K. I’ve run it 8 times now and each time I run it with people I love. We laugh along the route and have even cried as I had to finish that race with a knee that was about to give out well before the green monster of a bridge you have to cross. When my youngest decided we were going to run that race, I found myself coaching her, loving on her, and running in silence as I know she was mentally engaging herself at various points along the course. As the green monster loomed, we laughed and trudged forward like we were walking through snow because our legs began feeling like lead.  At the top, though, we stopped to revel in the beauty and the acknowledgement we were almost done! I’ve tried to instill in my children that giving up is not an option! YOU must see your commitments through to the end!

The marathons I have run with friends and one of my sisters were no less exciting, as we trained together for months, sacrificing time doing fun stuff to run…for hours…on the weekends.  Along the course, people are stationed to cheer you on and let me tell you how important that is. These are complete strangers who are out there early in the mornings cheering on complete strangers and rooting for loved ones as they pass by! My sister and I would laugh at ourselves as we would watch ladies much older than us pass us! Seriously?! I want to be that 80 year old still running races. 

In all of those runs, my goal was never to win. I know I’m not that fast of a runner. I simply wanted to finish vertical rather than being carried off on a stretcher. Hey, a girl has to have goals! 🙂 

I’m starting over with my running, which is kind of paralleled to my life as I’m also starting over in a new career! Life is funny that way…you keep moving forward. One. Foot. In. Front. Of. The. Other. 

Life is like running. Do what makes you (and others) feel good and along the way…stand, walk, or run alongside others letting them know they are not on this journey alone. It doesn’t matter if you know them or not. Trust me, I’ve met many folks along the courses I’ve run. We would run in perfect cadence as we chatted. Then, I would watch them speed up and get lost among the many runners in my view. I would feel a small sense of pride as I thought to myself, “Look at what you did. You helped them find their sprint!” The actuality of it was probably they ran faster to get away from me because I can talk stripes off a zebra…LOL! Seriously though, people will never forget the kindness shown to them. I know I haven’t. I’ve trained and run with many people over the years I will never forget. It wasn’t the miles that we chased that left their mark, it was the kindness and stories shared as we covered the distance that left little marks of joy in my heart!