I am young again". Boy, was I surprised when I heard those words. Actually, I turned 1 year old this month. Next month I turn 46, but who's counting? I am proud of running for a complete year. I ran the Tiger Dash 5K as a celebration of the achievement.
For those just starting or those remembering back when, I will recount my past year. I started in February with what my father called the "Boy Scout walk", that is, 100 paces walking then 100 paces running. Little did I know that this starting technique has been used successfully by several trainers in Y programs. I got out about 3 times a week. I gradually reduced the number of walking paces until I was running all the time.
In the late March timeframe, I started reading to see where I should go next. All the books said that getting the right equipment for running is very important. Get the right shoes. In May, I did so by going to Orlando, since that was the closest decent shoe selection that I could find. Another thing that books mentioned was training for races such as the 5K, 10K, ½ marathon and marathon distances. Could I do that? Boy, I read that Disney had a marathon and ½ marathon at the beginning of January. Could I be ready?
I checked out races on the Web and choose the Celebration of Running as my 1st 5K. I did what all the books recommended. I registered early, got there early, got in line early for the port-a-potties, stretched, and got to the starting line early, which, in my case, was in the back of the pack. I can't tell you how exciting it was to be with thousands (or hundreds) of kindred spirits on a beautiful morning waiting for the starting signal. Then the start where the buzz of conversation creates a loud noise level then suddenly the hush and patter of thousands of feet while watching many bobbing heads going up & down. I had my strategy which was just to finish, I had my breathing pattern and I did not vary from either. I felt so good at the end that I was able to finish with a kick while passing a couple of others that I was following.
Then there was summer vacation in NC and I didn't know where to run. I shouldn't have been concerned as you can run anywhere. We had a hotel just at the edge of Research Triangle Park. I ran around the parking lot of an EPA office building that had tenths of a mile marked. That was nice but I discovered some runners crossed the road and kept going. There was a very nice asphalt track that goes forever, or at least as far as I could see from where I needed to turn around. The enjoyment of my running went up by leaps and bounds as I went from running around a parking lot to running along beside beautiful trees. Going home from vacation, the strangest thing happened to me. On Interstate 95 in SC, an old bridge ran along side the new highway but it was a bridge to nowhere and there were only fishermen on it. To my surprise, I had a desire to stop the car and run the bridge. I did not expect that at all. I have come to understand that this is not an uncommon experience and if time is not a concern, some stop and fulfill that sudden desire.
I have not escaped my infant year without injuries caused by overuse. I starting mowing the yard directly after the Saturday long run and I strained my ankle. On Sunday, I crawled to the bathroom. The podiatrist put me in an ankle boot for 4 days. I think it was to ensure that I did not overuse as well as to provide the support the ankle needed. I also must deal with plantar fasciitis as a chronic injury but it does not hamper me.
I am currently in Rebecca Spark's "Peak When it Counts" running camp so that I can learn and have some individual training. I have set a goal but it may be tough. It is also great to now have a running shop right here in Brevard County (Up & Running on the East Coast, Inc.) with an owner who is as personable and knowledgeable as Rebecca is.
It is nice to be young again. I am ready to grow.
P.S. No, I did not do the Disney marathon or 1/2 marathon this year. Maybe next year...