I Just Felt Like Running

Running is the answer to every question.
~ Judith Ursitti

Random blog post I know, but Happy Running Day!  For you non-runners out there, please, please continue to read.  I know you might think that running is not your thing.  But please .. hear a girl out.  I only blog like once a year.  Surely you can suffer through..

The nerdy girl who is writing this is a non-athlete .. a total band nerd.  I was actually voted "Most Studious" one year in high school.  I have no athletic ability whatsoever.  None.

But even studious girls can be vain.  Fifteen or so years ago, as I hit my thirties, I noticed that I was beginning to put on some pounds.  So I made a New Year's resolution with a friend of mine and we decided to meet at 5:30 in the morning to walk.  And walk we did.  We walked, talked and started to become stronger.  Not long after that, we heard of a 5K in town and decided we were going to go for broke and run it.

I never, ever in a million years thought I could run 100  yards, much less 3.2 miles.  But we took our training slow.  (We did the run one minute/walk one minute approach until we worked our way up to running 30 minutes without walking.)  When I ran that 5k,  it was one of the hardest things I had ever done.  The last half mile or so I was convinced I was going to drop dead.   Obviously, I didn't.  I went home with a medal and a new found realization that even slow, nerdy girls can get out there and run.

Fast forward to today and  I can honestly say that I don't know what I would do if I couldn't run.  True, I'm at the back of the pack.  The older I get, the slower I become.  But who really cares.  Running is my therapy .. my drug of choice.

The experiences are too many to list, but here is a sampling of my favorites:

• I have laughed out loud while listening to David Sedaris podcasts.  
• I have belted out show tunes.  
• I have problem-solved.  Work.  Personal.  Doesn't much matter.  Time to think really helps. 
• I have seen coyotes and snakes and beautiful sunrises.  (Never mind the road kill.)
• I have experienced all four seasons. 
• I have seen the finish line of the Boston Marathon -- three times.  
• I have raised thousands and thousands of dollars for autism charities.   
• I have run with my daughter.
• I have run with my sister.  
• I have lots of really cool t-shirts.
• I always come home in a better frame of mind.  (Well, almost always.)  It's standard practice in our household that if I'm cranky, Superdad Andy raises an eyebrow and asks, "Ahem .. Did you run today?"
• Bonus:  I can still squeeze into my prom dress.  It's tight, but I can get in it.  And I'm old.  Like almost 46. 
• I have prayed and prayed and prayed.
• I have found peace in a world that is often stressful and overwhelming. 

I suppose what I'm trying to say is that, if you haven't tried running, don't rule it out. You don't have to win or be some superstar athlete.  You just have to put your shoes on and get out there.  It could really change your life.  It certainly has mine.

My next run is the Autism Speaks Half Marathon in September.  It's a great race for a good cause right here in Boston.  They are welcoming walkers and runners.  Think about it!  


To get started with a nerd-friendly running program, visit Jeff Galloway's page for beginners.