RunSingTeach

Next Monday starts a new training cycle. I have happily and enthusiastically agreed to run the Philly marathon with my awesome little sister to celebrate her 26th year with 26 miles! I feel like I am starting from beyond ground zero. In the spring of 2002 when I decided to run, 9 years ago, I could barely walk or run a mile. Here I am years later and feeling like I’m stepping up to the starting line from scratch again. I can run a little bit further now without too much trouble but every aspect of any relative “speed” I once had is gone. Completely. This has been a hard pill to swallow; a big giant pill called pride.

So I went running yesterday and took a scary risk to join a new club in my new town. It was so scary at first, but then I met up with lovely people and ran 5.33 miles! I haven’t run that far in months. It felt so good. Then I looked at the elapsed time. I felt a twinge of that stupid pride stuff and felt a bit down. But I quickly kicked that thought to the curb and felt so happy. I have found the starting line and now it is time to pick up the feet and go.

I’m excited about the possibility of running with frequency. I have set my first week schedule and it may be a bit lofty, but with a long run of only 6 miles, I think I can do it. I will need constant reminders that pride is a worthless negative force and that each new step is to be celebrated. It is not about who you used to be at the starting line; it is that you are there at all.

“The Courage to Start”….