Why not?

By Leah

Have you ever felt the mix of exhaustion and elation? Ecstasy and defeat? What about the thrill of the chase? Being chased? How about that complete and utter satisfaction of finishing something, even though it didn’t turn out quite like you wanted? If you like this undulation of misery and joy, you should join us for Wednesday morning track drills. Coach Kristen promises it will make us faster, I think it just helps me sleep better.

There’s nothing quite like reaching a goal, however small. Sometimes the goal is to simply run one more time around the track. Other times it’s simply finishing the task, even at a slug’s pace. When it’s done, it’s done. I know professional racers (and their coaches) may balk at this attitude, but for me, just having enough air in my lungs to finish a drill feels amazing. I may hack and wheeze and totally gross everybody out (sorry about that, too), but I’ve done it. It plagues me to read in my Running Times magazine an article that talks about the women’s runners not making any waves this year. Sheesh, they finished Boston in something like, 2:39. What a horrible race (that’s what the author portrayed)! 2:39! Who are they kidding? I wasn’t even half way through my marathon at 2:39. Okay, so I’m not 88 pounds and emaciated looking, but I finished the race. How many people have done that? How many want to, but are afraid they would be laughed at?

Coach Kristen and the “team” have inspired such a running fancy that you can’t help but feel good, even when you’re not. The goal is always to do the best we can, but this 37-year-old body wasn’t meant to run 2:39 marathons. I am not even sure it was meant to run! But I do it. I do it because cancer and diabetes are rampant in my family. I do it because I want to inspire my children. I want people to know you don’t have to be the best to do your best and feel good about it. And, now that I’m running…well…jogging…guess what? I’m happier! I sleep better. I can EAT MORE! And on the days I don’t exercise, I feel crummy. How cool is that? I wish I could do everything. I want to swim, bike, run, and jump out of airplanes. I want to tour Italy on a cruiser, drinking wine along the way. I want to hike Mt. Shasta and climb Yosemite. Why not? Because I can’t win, place or show? Look, this old dog has learned something new: When you don’t play, life just slips away. How many weeks and months have you spent on your computer? Or at your desk? There are some pretty neat kids outside your window asking you to come play with them. I think you should consider shutting things down and joining us a time or two (perhaps next Wednesday morning, bright and early (6:00 a.m.) at Folsom Middle School). Don’t let your week slip by without asking yourself, “Why not?”