In 1999, on the eve of my 35th year, I took up running. To fully appreciate the enormity of that statement, you have to realize that all of my life I vacillated between bookworm and party animal. Gym rat was never my animal of choice.
When I was about to turn 35, I decided that it was then or never. John was working long hours, I was living in a furnished 800 sq. ft. apartment with 3 young children, waiting for our Navy house to become available. When I started running, I think I said lofty things about goals, and turning 35, and life changes, blah, blah, blah. The truth of the matter was, that I needed to get out of the house. There were times that August when I started a run jog hobble, that I really had to force myself to turn around and go back to the chaos of life in that small apartment. Those early runs were pitiful - and even calling them runs was the ultimate in euphemisms. They were clumsy, sweaty, and probably filled with grunting and cussing.
I kept going out, and they slowly got better. In the spring of 2000, I found a running buddy (Hi Beth!), and started a real goal - I was going to run the Marine Corps Marathon. Again - without knowing me in real life, you can't appreciate the enormity of that statement. I might as well have said that I was going to fly to Mars. Beth and I found a great training program, and spent the spring, summer and early fall of 2000 preparing for the 25th Anniversary Marine Corps Marathon.
We did it, too. It was a long (long, long) day and not without some hardships and challenges - another post for another day - but we did it, and it was phenomenal.
In preparing for the marathon, we ran the Annapolis 10 Miler in August of 2000, and then again in August of 2001. And if running 10 miles in hot humid Annapolis in August can be considered fun, it really was. We had a great time.
Six years have passed since the last 10 Miler. Beth has moved away, and we have moved 3 times - to Norfolk, Maine, and back to Annapolis. I'm six years older, a few pounds (ahem) heavier, and not in the same condition that I was before.
However. I'm doing it again. Not the marathon - I'm not quite ready for that, but the A-10. John and I have been preparing since January for this race. We planned to do it last summer, but the move and some other things got in the way and we didn't end up training for it.
So - here we are. The race is Sunday, and the forecast is for hazy, hot and humid. That's too bad, because it's been lovely and cool all week. I'm a little concerned (or a lot) that I'm not as prepared as I should be, and I don't want to embarrass myself. John seems totally unconcerned, and confident about the whole thing and I'm trying to borrow some of his confidence. The bottom line is this: any good juju that you can send my way for Sunday would be most appreciated. When Becky asked yesterday what my goal was, it was this: to finish. I should have added - - unhumiliated.
OK - there's my news. Prayers and good wishes are always appreciated.
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Posted by: Beth | August 25, 2007 at 07:50 PM
OK Shelley, I sent you an e-mail complaining about how typepad wouldn't let me post a comment on your blog and look a me now! Turns out it was my computer....I think. Anyway, check your e-mail...I'm sending lots of luck your way, but you won't need it 'cause you'll do great!
Posted by: Beth | August 25, 2007 at 07:54 PM