Becoming a runner

I think I have become a runner.

It is strange to look back 2 years ago when I first started training for a triathlon. I was so embarrassed to run I only ran at night in the dark so my neighbors wouldn’t see me. I couldn’t run one side of the block …I felt pathetic and it was hard. I was very very slow…first sprint my 5K time was like 42 minutes but I felt good since I “ran” the whole way.

Slowly I improved a little, but I didn’t really ever like running, just did as it was part of the deal of doing triathlons. Last spring/summer I was better at keeping at it, I improved some, but still felt the same way about it.

The off season came, and I did a few running races to hold as carrots out there. I signed up for a ½ Mary when I had never even run more than 4-5 miles. I started to get faster, but more than anything I started not to dislike running…through the winter I ran, outside in the snow…and enjoyed feeling tough, running when it was difficult to get out the door, and amazingly my times improved and in February I met one of my dream goals of running under a 10 m/m…it was super. I started to like running and the time when I could be by myself and just find this great place in my mind and run. 

When I was training for my ½ Mary, I found I enjoyed my long slow runs the best and always felt super long after my run was done. I ran the ½ when 2 years ago never thought such a thing was possible…with great help and support from friends here on BT especially Rob (CptnJackSparr) who ran with me.

This week I ran 20 miles…which for me is amazing…but more than anything my mind has changed I look forward to my runs…long runs are great, speed work doesn’t hurt so much as I know it will help me to get faster, and now I run anywhere anytime and have a blast. I’m still slow in the triathlon world, but for me I’ve gained a lot…enjoyment of something I used to struggle with. It is sweet!