Melody and Terri (my inspirations to run) and I in warm up blankets after our chilly race
I am three weeks away from running my second half marathon. I am not in the least bit athletic, but I
love setting goals, and sort of like achieving them. I had a flashback this week while I was running: When I was in Jr High, I tried out to be a cheerleader, but I did not make the squad. It was traumatic only because all of my closest friends made it, and we were then somehow mysteriously forced into separate social groups. There was a teacher named Mrs. Reed who took notice of my lonely state, and encouraged me to join the track team. She put me on the mile because I was not fast, and I did not have any other discernible skills to jump or throw things. My first meet I tried to keep up with the pack, and ended up completely burning out on the third lap. I had no concept of pacing having not really trained much at that point, and came in dead last, running that uncomfortable last half-lap by myself to the cheers of Mrs. Reed and my mother. I puked at every meet because of nerves, and as somewhat of a hypochondriac, I'm sure I wore Mrs. Reed out on my many 'injuries', but still she cheered me on, and I got better. I started out around a nine minute mile, and ended the season with a 6:17 mile - a school record! It was not even fast compared to the other girls in the city, and I didn't even place in my last meet, but it was fast for my school. The last time I was there, I found my name still up on the wall of the gym "S. Colbaugh 6:17 Mile" - that was in 1984. I lived off of that one achievement for many years, and even though I did not stay on the track team, I have considered myself a runner in the back of my mind for many years.
Last year I thought it was high time for such an intrinsic runner like myself to actually run, and so I trained with friends for the Whistestop Half Marathon in Ashland, WI. There is no point to this post other than to say that I like being in that underdog place, with room for improvement, but without anything to prove. I like working to make myself better without the insane pressure of having to be
the best. Mid-run this week, I flashed back to the fullness of joy of doing my personal best, and hope to feel that way again on June 19th.
Melody and Terri (my inspirations to run) and I in warm up blankets after our chilly race
Have fun! It's such a good feeling to follow through with something, especially when it's hard and we really have to work ourselves.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post. I had a similar experience to your first track meet...I am not a runner, but entered a half Marathon at Penn State with a friend. Turned out that 12 of the 13 miles were uphill, and my friend was a beast on the course. For the last 10 miles it was just me and at 70+ year-old man passing each other at drink breaks and shoe-tying pit stops. In the end, we tied for last place. Most people were already in their cars going home at that point, and my friend had been finished for about an hour. I still look back on that race as a lot of fun, and I can say, "I did it!"
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I think your attitude about running is much more healthy than being consumed by it. A great activity, with the desire to do your best without putting too much pressure on yourself. The Buffalo Marathon was yesterday, and our daughters Bethany and Rebecca were part of a relay team of four. My wife and I got to see Bethany finish along with many other runners and really enjoyed it. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Cliff
Hi Sara, I found your blog just tonight after checking out your website for the first time in a long time. I had less discernible athletic ability than you so I was the track manager and I remember you puking after each race but you never gave up. I look back to those years of our long-ago friendship with a smile and many fond memories. I'm very proud of you. --Robin
ReplyDeleteHello, Sara! This is a random blogger who writes daily how to "Live with Flair." Your lyrics about coming alive and being FULLY alive resonate so deeply with me. I just wanted you to know that your music inspired part of that: http://livewithflair.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteI'll be praying for ya. You can do it!!!!
ReplyDeleteSara, your songs are extremely relevant in my life. I have actually experienced the things you are referring to in his music. The values of the gospel of Jesus Christ, are in every area of his work, and inspires me a lot. I am a Brazilian musician, with plenty of experience with instruments, but soon felt the call of Jesus to work more directly with the direction of songs and music in my local community, and I feel inspired by his songs. May the Lord of all glory continue to bless you, and you do not stop writing things beautiful as it is doing
ReplyDeleteWow Sara! I admire you, I really do. I love the idea of running but no matter how many times I do it, I still hate the physical act of jogging/running. I have recently discovered biking (okay it's on a machine at the gym) and I'm loving it so far and I'm happy to feel a passion for something besides Zumba and dance aerobics, lol! Totally agree with what Cliff and Deb said too :)
ReplyDeleteSara, I think you're more physically fit than you give yourself credit for. I remember trying to keep up with you as we were climbing those hills around Mt. Rushmore while on tour.
ReplyDeleteDad Groves
Just want to say that there's a great line in here: Room for improvement with nothing to prove.
ReplyDeleteI'm likin' that.