need humility? run a 10k.

On June 9th, I ran my very first road race. Ok, I ran my very first ever race of any kind. The last time I ran in an organized manner like this was in elementary school gym class, running the mile. Here’s the really honest skinny on how I feel about running and my participation in it: I sometimes run. I used to never run unless it was in some sort of organized sport. I was completely ashamed that I couldn’t just put on my tennis shoes and go for a run that ended no more than five minutes later. And you think I’m kidding, but I’m dead serious. Five minutes was about my max, because at that point I felt like dying. Well, when I graduated college I became too cheap to pay for a gym membership. I decided I was going to have to teach myself how to use running as my main source of exercise.

So one summer I taught myself to run by adding one or two minutes a day to my running schedule. My goal was to run 30 minutes by the end of the summer, and it was a big deal to me when I finally reached that mark. To some, that is pretty small beans. But I felt like I had run for miles and miles. It was just about two actually, which brings me to my next point. I run super slowly. So races were pretty unappealing to me considering I lacked both speed and endurance.

This spring, my brother-in-law (above) asked if I wanted to run with him and my sister one day. Knowing it had been too long since I had much exercise, I went along and foolishly decided that day to join them in signing up for a local 10K. A week later I realized this was a bad idea, but powered through anyway, running with them a few times a week and by myself on the other days of my schedule. I don’t think it really ever got easier. Every run had some kind of challenge for me, but it did become kind of a norm to go out for a run, just because it was on the plan. And the routine of it got to be something I really enjoyed. Something else I enjoyed? Seeing my parents show up unannounced at the start of the race, donning matching neon homemade shirts so they could cheer for us. They were by far the loudest people watching the race. They are so funny. But they sure know how to show they are proud of their kids. 🙂

So on the one hand, I’m super proud of myself for running an entire race – and kind of a long one, too. On the other hand, though, that pride is being slashed to the ground here and now as I post these humbling photos of myself. Why is my face so distorted in the bottom left down there? No idea. Something to do with being tired and hot and trying to take a phone pic of myself without stopping.

Yeah. That’s my sister, with way more energy than me, apparently.

Aaand, so glad to be done. We finished well, and then I died. Haven’t run since. But I think I deserve a little break considering it’s 100 degrees outside. I’ll pick it back up in the fall. Are any of you out there running in this heat? I hope not!