Running update.

I know I mentioned that I signed up to run the Marine Corps Historic Half marathon.  And that I started training.  But have I stressed enough that I am not a runner?  At all.  Some days, I want to be a runner, which in my mind means someone who truly enjoys running.  Really, I do.  Because so many friends run and love it.  And my dad runs, and Charlie runs--that makes an impression, right?  But most days, it's still the same:  when I run, my mind screams at me the entire first ten or so minutes, telling me to stop.  I sort of think this means I'm not meant to be a runner.

But I signed up for this race.  And I'm the kind of goal-oriented person that a training schedule really speaks to.  So I've been running, running, running.  It's week three and I can now go a bit over 5 miles.  I just have to ignore my inner monologue the first mile or two.  It's going well enough that I believe I will run and finish the race come mid May.  But I still don't know if that will make me a runner.  And I'm pretty sure that without a goal, I might give it all up.  So I emailed my good friend the following:

"As my only other non running friend who occasionally runs, thought you would appreciate this:  I did 5 miles the other day.  On my own (i.e. w/o Charlie shaming me into not stopping).  And w/o the ipod!!  But don't get me wrong, I still don't like it.

Wanna do the Army 10 miler?  Sign up is April 1st while you are away so we'd have to plan ahead (the race is Sun Oct 24th)."

Harmless enough, right?  Hmmph.  In return I get this:

"Dear Sender,
Thank you for your email, but I fear it has been sent in error. It was obviously meant for a person who thinks running is a good idea, and not merely something to be done to justify eating an extra Krispy Kreme donut. Or perhaps for someone who feels she should be prepared in case the latter half of the fight or flight instinct kicks in, and not someone who'd rather take a shooting class to better prepare her for the former half of said instinct.

In any case, I wish you the best of luck in finding a willing partner for your endeavors. Should you come to realize the error of your ways, please let me know so we can have a latte together at an open cafe and watch the insane masses jog by.

With best regards,
A sane person"

I laughed very hard and told her I was sharing.  I think I have just found a new goal!

p.s.  We had a lot of birthdays this past week.  Two were ours--Max turned 7 and Will turned 2, so we had two school celebrations, two day-of dinner celebrations, and one family party over the weekend.  We also squeezed in a family friend's birthday party.  We will not be quantifying the aggregate calorie intake.    

Comments

[Stephani]

I totally get this-- I hate running. Good for you to go out there and do it. I am in total awe.