Difference Maker!
I know runners can be annoying constantly talking about running. We will tell you when we ran, how long we ran, things that happened on the run, give unsolicited advice to novice runners on what they should and should not do, and tell people all the time that they should run too. I get it, it’s a lot, especially to those who don’t run.
So please bear with me for this week’s difference maker because it is all about running.
I used to always envy runners, especially living in Washington D.C. On my commute to work, I would see people running the city, all times of the day. I always wondered if they had a job. They seemed so carefree.
Assimilation took effect after about five years of living in D.C., I put on my first pair of running shoes. I think I made it half a block before I started walking. But I kept going. I was bound and determined to run my first 5k when I turned 35. I did it! Even better, I did it on my birthday and actually got second place in my age group.
The love-hate relationship of running was a seed planted in me, and I just couldn’t stop pushing myself to reach higher goals. Then one day after running my umpteenth half marathon, listening to the other runners talk about the euphoric feeling they get running a full marathon, I signed up for the D.C. Rock and Roll.
Running a marathon was not physically easy in the least bit. I am not a natural runner. But the feeling of accomplishment was invigorating. However, I never reached that feeling that runners often spoke about. Twenty-six miles wasn’t enough.
I am a firm believer that the spectators, or cheerleaders, are just as significant as the runners. We feed off each other. And I also like to be able to give back what was given to me. Therefore, I signed up to volunteer for the Northface Endurance Challenge in Virginia. This event consisted of a half marathon, full marathon, 50K, and 50-miler throughout the scenic park of Great Falls. Thousands of people showed to run, work, and show support.
The aid station I worked at was the turning point for the marathon runners, the passing point for the 50K runners, and the three loop around for the 50-mile runners. They would stop to change socks, shoes, drink soup, eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, hug their loved ones, and start off on their journey again. The weather was horrible! In an eight-hour time span, we managed to experience the bad parts of all four seasons. There was even hail!
Amongst the climate misery of that day, the seed was planted for me to run a 50K. Believe it or not, the runners with their tired faces, some in pain, gave me inspiration. To see people, fight through their own internal struggles, knowing they could fail, but continue to go it, was AMAZING!
I went home that night and signed up for the Northface 50K. Training was tough, especially after moving back to Ohio. Winter training in Northeast Ohio is not easy. I think about that every time now when signing up for a distance race. And my body was breaking down while I was training. Instead of giving up, I moved my race up, which led me to the Williamsburg Single Track 50K.
I have never in my life ever did anything to push myself beyond what I knew I could be successful at. I never feared failure, until this race. After running 20 miles, my body was breaking down. I remember going to the aid stations and asking the volunteers to push as hard as they could on my knee and IT band because I felt like my knee was going to snap. I remember at mile 26, people at the aid station telling me it’s okay to stop. 26 miles is still quite an accomplishment. But I just couldn’t stop.
Between mile 26 and 32, the range of emotions were intense. My mind was in a battle with itself… whether to lay down, never to move again, or keep pushing forward. I cried a lot. But I just wouldn’t stop.
I was physically and mentally breaking. Yet, I didn’t stop.
When I got out of the woods to flat ground, I was so happy, only one mile left. I crossed that line listening to Hallelujah by the Pentatonix. I finally had that euphoric feeling.
What that race gave me was the greatest gift I could have ever given myself. I learned to go for something with the possibility of failing. I learned to give myself all I have. I learned nothing handed to you will be better than something earned. Most importantly, I learned I am unstoppable.
Our minds are stronger that what we think, and we are all so capable. So go for it!