Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Losing my delicate grip on reality -OR- entering Ragnar Relay Tennessee

I'm not a runner.
Wait, let me start over.
!!Newsflash!! I'm not a runner.
I typically huff and puff my way to a treadmill mile then move on to something less threatening and more fun.
So why was it when Lisa mentioned that a friend of hers was putting together a 12-person (6-couples) team to relay race all the way from Chattanooga to Nashville my interest was piqued? Skyrocketed?
Internal dialogue: that's crazy, I could never do that. unless I trained. which wouldn't be fun. but the race might be fun. it would be different, a goal, a singular life experience. think of the glory. trying something hard is good. you'll grow. stronger.
That day (for the first time ever?) I ran two miles. That's all it took. I was hooked. I talked with Scott about it on and off for days, read every page on the website, copied down the training schedule (the "beginner" one) and started to follow it. Without ever actually talking to the lady organizing this deal and committing. I kept it as an idea, a thought, an imaginary end to a made up story for awhile, to see if it would fizzle out or hang on. It hung. We're running.
My progress is slow but steady. I can run a few miles without stopping or thinking I'm going to die now.
Scott rocks the casbah. Seriously, the following anecdote perfectly typifies Scott when he decides to try something physically challenging. (note: He's not a runner either.) So the other night, after looking at the various legs of the race, he decided to go and see just how far he could run. He came back to announce that he went 8 miles without stopping. What, huh? Just like that? Of course.

8 comments:

Kay said...

I'm so excited for you! Running is great. I'll be cheering for you every step of the way.

Julie said...

I'm so proud to be your friend. You are someone who inspires me to do great things. I'm also jealous of your ability to just decide to do something and make it happen. Especially something so physically challenging. Go for it.

nbarnes2 said...

lori you are amazing. that is so cool and way to go. runners amaze me. i want to be a runner. you'll do awesome!

Jeanne said...

Woo-hoo! Good for you!!

I hate running With that being said, Tal and I spent the whole summer running. We did a 5k follow along run thingy for 9 weeks. It was really fun just spending the time running with her and talking (when I could breathe!)

Have fun!!

Yo Mama said...

DO it!!!! THen on your worst day, you can still say, "I must not be so bad since I ran that relay race from Chattanooga to Nashville." I love running. Even though it is hard, it makes me feel so strong and healthy. Congrats! (Sheesh, 8 miles, who does he think he is?)

Sharlene, Mom, Grammy said...

I am so impressed with you AND Scott. I'm not a runner either, so I am totally in awe of both of you!!! I think I'm doing good because I *walk* 5 miles a day. I don't even think in terms of running. Oh, yeah, and my 5 miles aren't all at once. That two good long walks or three short ones. :)

Troy said...

Keep up the good work!

Hey-- did you feel that big east coast earthquake? did it make you some little part of you homesick?

lisa said...

Yay Lori! You surprised me so much and inspired me to commit when I wasn't sure at all that I wanted to do it either! 2 slow to win 2 dumb to stop!