Mary’s Six Miler
I logged another six mile run yesterday night., but forgot to bring my watch to the gym so I didn’t time it. I was happy with my pace though (felt about 8 min/mile pace or so, but maybe I’m also just flattering myself). The only bummer is it was an 1/8 mile track…so to hit one full mile I had to run 8 laps (and 5 paces, according to the front desk trainer at my gym). 48 laps and 30 paces later, I was done.
The run felt great the whole way….and I even kicked it up for the last lap and sprinted it in. I love that I can feel myself getting into shape…it’s great.
Couple other random things:
1) during miles 3 and 4 I was followed by another runner for an ENTIRE 8 laps. He must have liked my pace or something, because he trailed me consistently, not trying to pass, and not lagging behind. He was so close behind me that the only way I knew he was there was because of a mirror in the gym located at one corner of the track (my music was too loud for me to hear him). Thanks to the slight slant of the mirror, I caught a glimpse of him behind me towards the end of mile 3. I was freaked out by his proximity, but assumed he’d be passing me. When he didn’t pass, every time I circled the track, I peeped the mirror, always to find him on my heels. Finally, after a mile of this game, I saw that he was a couple steps off me. When I realized he was getting tired, I just increased my pace and lost him within a half lap. Sucka!
2) I want to mention how grateful I am for my parents support in sports when I was a kid. Obviously this isn’t a revelation or anything. But last night, looking around at the other joggers and people working out at the gym, it just really reminded me of what my parents have given me: the opportunity to play sports. And not just that….a lot of kids get that, I suppose. But more than that, I was given the encouragement to play sports, and the encouragement to play at the highest levels I could. My parents made me believe that there was no limit to what I could achieve athletically, and provided any psychological and financial support that I needed. They never let me think there was something I couldn’t do, and were always there to push me and support me.
At the gym, I was thinking about how easy it’s been for me to get back into shape, and I have to attribute a lot of it to the fact that I ran a lot as a kid. Not just running while playing sports….but running independently, to train for sports.
I guess part of my point is that running is a learned activity, not necessarily an inherent one. The more you run, the more you tolerate (and eventually like) it. Since I was encouraged to run when I was younger, I’ve never really had a problem with running, and in fact, find it soothing and relaxing, even when I’m pushing myself to the max. I’m glad I was encouraged to log those hours running as a kid, because now, coming back to it, the process is not so bad. Sort of like riding a bike. You pick it right back up.
I feel blessed to have parents who encouraged me to pursue greatness in the athletic arena, regardless of perceived natural ability (I’m not saying I wasn’t naturally athletic…I’m just saying that either way….they didn’t care, and encouraged me to pursue my passion regardless). Both my history in sports and my parents involvement and encouragements are huge factors into why I have the confidence and desire to take on this new challenge: running a marathon.
So thanks, mom and dad. If I’d had more time on my hands I wouldn’t written this a little better. It would be nice to make mom cry, because last night at the gym, I embarrassingly choke up a little after my run when I thought of all that you two have given me.
So thanks, mom and dad for any athletic genes you’ve passed on, and for the competitive ones and the work ethic ones and all that. But no thanks on the crying genes, mom. I don’t want ‘em!
