I am an athlete.
I really feel like I should put a question mark at the end of that phrase versus a period! I am an athlete? After all... remember this layout?
I got straight C's in PE! And even a C-... that's almost a D! As I stated in my journaling above, "I would purposely let the first ball hit me in dodge ball so I could sit out the rest of the game."
And remember the infamous high school ice breaker: "Say your first name and an adjective that describes you beginning with the first letter of your name"? I was always Artistic Andrea. Never did it even enter my mind to say "Athletic Andrea." Athletic? NOT!
Yet I met with a trainer last week at the gym and she described my fitness as "athletic." ATHLETIC! WOW! I started running on April 1... this year! I walked into the gym for the first time on May 14... this year! I had no base. I even got rides to classes in college so I didn't have to walk the few blocks.
Today: I AM AN ATHLETE.
I ran my second ever 5K race today: The Fishers Freedom Festival 5K Run & Walk.
- I finished in 27:14 - an 8:46 minute/mile pace.
- Of the 12 females who were 36 years old, I finished #1.
- I placed 16/110 in my division - top 15%.
- I placed 90/392 in my gender - top 23%.
I realize this was not a race that draws the die-hard athletes so the results are a little skewed. But it's definitely good for the ego none-the-less.
{David ran with me and finished in 30:53! I'm so proud of you, D!}
Although I finished in 27:14 after nearly 3 months of training, I'm still not completely satisfied. I crossed the finish line thinking "If I had only did this... If I had only done that... I could have finished under 25." But that's the nature of the game. If I finished feeling perfect there would be nothing to strive for next. And I can't wait for the next!
Enough rambling. I'll sign off with a little something that a friend sent me a while back. Thanks for all the inspiration, encouragement, and coaching. You've definitely created an animal!
How a Race is Like Life:
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Both are hard and both hurt. But the sense of accomplishment you feel when you’ve given your all is worth the pain.
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There are ups and there are downs. Going up isn’t easy, but coming down can be just as hard. It takes one to know the other.
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Everyone has their own style, and it’s really interesting to watch how much people can differ in their approach to the same task.
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Ultimately, it’s not about everyone else. It’s about you. But too often, we make it about everyone else, judging ourselves against others.
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The excitement of the “beginning” does not last forever. It’s what you do after that initial rush wears off that reveals your true character.
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It’s ok to stop for water. Taking the time to refuel can actually gain you time in the long run.
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Cheering DOES help! Never underestimate the power of a kind word or gesture. A simple shout from a stranger can give you the strength to keep going when all you really just want to do is stop.
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It really is about mind over matter. Our minds are incredibly powerful, and the truth is that most of us are scared to death of that power, so we don’t exercise it to its full potential.
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You are never really alone, even though sometimes it feels like it. If you speed up or slow down a little, eventually you’ll be with someone again.
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Sometimes you want to throw up. Period.
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Asking for help from above (or within – however you choose to look at it) does make a difference. Just when you think you don’t have one more ounce of energy left, if you can dig just a little deeper and ask specifically for what you need, you’ll be provided with the strength to keep on going.
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The first sip of water after you cross the finish line is always the most refreshing – and although it’s easy to forget, we need to remember what quenching that thirst feels like.
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Being able to admit our shortfalls and laugh at ourselves is the measure of true success – not the digits on a clock.
And the last important truth……. -
Shoes and a good bra are incredibly important. Do not skimp on them. J
