When I was fourteen years old, things were looking up. Thanks to physical therapy and brutal flights of staircases at school, my conditioning was better than ever. My asthma rarely troubled me. Spring of my sophomore year in high school, bored and looking for a new goal, I decided I would run a 5k. The last time I had attempted a mile, I was thirteen, and the charity race took me over fifteen minutes. It was the longest, most agonizing fifteen minutes of my life. But crossing the finish line—receiving the t-shirt, most especially—made it all worth it.
Despite writing my college essay about the high of t-shirts after a race, I pushed running to the wayside. Did I love watching people run? Yes. I envied them. Did I volunteer at races? Yes (more t-shirts!). But for some reason, I never put two and two together. Me + running was just never an option.
Because I'm seemingly wired to crave difficult situations, I slaved over the treadmill for five months. I started running in intervals mixed with walking. The first time I finished a mile, I almost cried. But then school started up again, and I joined lacrosse. Running was for conditioning only now, and on the first day of practice we had to run for twenty minutes in an itsy circle.
My lungs heaved, and as we were told this was how we would start a plethora of practices, I realized I had to get into shape. At the end of the season, we had to either volunteer or run in a 5k. Even some of the speediest runners on the team didn’t opt for the racing option. I contemplated where I was in training. I could run for 30 minutes. It was as long as I had ever pushed myself, and I had never run three miles before. I always ran for time, not distance. Could I do it?
I had to try. A few people nodded with respect when I raised my hand. I was the turtle on the team no matter how hard I tried to catch up.
That June, I finished my 5k, over a year later than I had planned. I finished in 34:04, and ran the whole way. I couldn’t peel a ridiculous grin from my face. I could do this, and I could run farther.
I have a tendency to quote Disney movies, and "Keep moving forward," is from Meet the Robinsons. Sophisticated? No, but that's me in a few words--a little optimistic, adventurous, and persistent. Over the years, it's become my philosophy. I can do anything if I take it a little at a time.
I pledged to run a half-marathon.
I’ll keep moving forward until I do—but for now, I’m obsessing over running, food, and crazy life plans.
What are you obsessed with?
My obsessions include running, Disney movies, board games, cupcakes, and peanut butter.
Today's Workout: 50 minutes swimming (darn foot injury is keeping me from running for a bit).
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