“Nothing is impossible, for the word itself
says ‘I’m Possible’”- Audrey Hepburn
This quote, which is often attributed to
actress Audrey Hepburn, recently rang true in my own life when I embarked on a
once seemingly impossible task.
Let me explain: One of my best friends is
an accomplished runner; she has competed in several 5 and 10 KM events and even
ran a half marathon a few years ago! Last summer I casually mentioned to her
that I thought I would like to learn how to run, and then maybe, eventually do
a 5 KM race at some point.
About a year ago I started walking regularly
in my neighbourhood, causally on the weekends just for a bit of exercise. Then
this fall I experimented a little with learning how to run using an app on my
phone.
Turns out- Running is hard.
It seems like such a silly statement to
make- running is hard- our bodies were built to move in this way, but learning
how to do it- it really is quite challenging!
I tried for a while, but like I said, it
was hard; so, I went back to mostly walking, all the while thinking to myself, “I
wish I could be a runner”.
Then in early February I was visiting my
friend, the runner, to celebrate my birthday. As a gift, she paid my entrance
fee to the Forest City 5 KM race at the end of April. I was going to learn how
to run, and she promised to help me, every challenging step of the way.
I was excited and nervous.
I had tried this (admittedly half-heartedly
at first) and it had been hard. Never the less, I persisted and made a plan to
start slowly with small intervals of running and walking and work up to the
full 5 KM distance. It was a great plan; I had a friend who was going to get
back into running and who would stick by me as I learned.
I set out with renewed enthusiasm and my
first day I worked on walking for 90 seconds and running for a minute.
It seemed like the longest 60 seconds ever!
I struggled for a few weeks, working my way
up to 2 minute intervals of walking and running (more of a slow motion jog for
me really…)
Then life got busy. Work needed more of my
attention, as did my responsibilities at home. I left on an extended trip to
South America with my students in the middle of March and this interrupted my
already sporadic training. Then I got home, looked at the calendar and
realized- Race Day was a mere six weeks away!
Fear is a powerful motivator.
So is the prospect of public humiliation.
Getting ready for this seemed impossible.
But the truth is: I’m Possible.
I made a plan and scheduled in running
sessions three times a week. I started out slowly again, 60 and 90 second
intervals of walking and running. Then slowly move up towards two minutes
intervals. After two weeks I completed my first 5KM of running/walking in a
single session.
My time was slow.
I
mean really slow.
But
I did it.
Now I had something to compare it to and
could challenge myself to improve each time I went out. Each day I got just a
little bit better. It became just a little bit easier each run. A few seconds faster
here, a few more the next time.
I actually thought “I could do this! I can
be a runner!”
Then, three weeks before the race, I couldn’t
do it anymore.
My legs hurt.
My shins were on fire.
I couldn’t run for more than 30 seconds
without wanting to sit down and cry.
I felt frustrated and wanted to give up.
In the middle of a particularly bad run, I
seriously thought about calling my friend to tell her I couldn’t do it and officially
back out of this race. I didn’t want to disappoint her, but honestly, I
thought, maybe I’m just not cut out for this.
Maybe I’m just not a runner…
I’m Possible.
I took a break for a few days.
I
called my friend, but didn’t back out. We talked. It helped.
I
bought new shoes.
I tried again.
I was slow, but I finished the 5KM
distance.
My legs hurt.
Then I tried again, and got a little bit
better. Each time I went out to practice that week I made small, tiny
improvements.
The week before the race I was practicing
on a tread mill and I had a great (for me) run! I felt empowered. I felt like I
could do it.
Four days before the race I went for a
practice run outside and I felt strong. I felt confident. I felt like I could
really do this. I could be a Runner!
I went into the race weekend with a new
mind set. This wasn’t for anybody else but me. I had nothing to prove to
anyone. It didn’t matter if I came last place as long as I tried and finished.
It was my first time running any kind of race or event, so whatever the result,
it was going to be a personal best for me. I had my best friend next to me and
I was excited to try something new. I was going to be a Runner!
Race day was cold.
When we arrived there were people
everywhere. I was nervous, and excited, and cold, and hot all at the same time.
As we lined up for the start of our race I forgot all the belief in myself from
a few days earlier. I was just hoping I could make it across the finish line in
one piece.
It was hard and I struggled.
Yet, every step of the way my friend was
with my cheering me on, encouraging me. As we approached the final kilometer,
my friend said to me, “we have meters now not kilometers”.
My friend is a much better runner than I
am; she can run much faster and longer than I can, but she stuck with me. I needed that reassurance and support as we
made our way through the course and I am grateful to her for it.
Finally, after a long time and long, long
after the first place finisher, we crossed the finish line.
I cried. Just a little bit.
I was overwhelmed with what I had
accomplished and all the fear and doubt I had had leading up to the race, all
the bad training days, were all behind me. The volunteers handed us medals and
for the first time, I truly felt like a Runner.
Now to put this in perspective, my race was
slow. It wasn’t pretty. I don’t have great form and I’m not fast. I didn’t win anything, or come close to winning
anything; and it was only 5KM.
But those 5KM were a victory for me.
They represented the culmination of a goal.
In them was a lot of hard work for me personally, and a lot of effort towards
something I wasn’t ever sure I would be able to do in my life. They proved to
me that I was stronger than I thought, I was braver than I thought, and I was
capable of achieving a personal athletic milestone.
I’m Possible.
I’m also a Runner.
 |
| Feeling accomplished after the race |
I’ve fallen in love with the sport of
running, and while I’ll never be a first place runner, I will be trying another
race soon. Each time I practice or race, I’ll get a little better. I’m sure
there will be good days and bad days; but, I’ve learned that working through it
is worth it. I am proud of what I accomplished that cold day in April, and I
was proud to have my best friend with me each step of the way. This is something
I did only for me and it was great.
 |
| Thanks Kendra for being my inspiration and encouragement! |
I encourage you to embrace a challenge, any challenge that’s
set out before you. See what you can accomplish.
Find your own possibility.
Then-
go for a run!
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