Running is not ingrained into by genetic DNA. I have to work hard at motivating myself to run and in getting better at the act of running. To date, I am a bad runner. I have been at it for more than a year now and have made little if any improvements beyond the initial six months.
The process of joiningg the military as a commissioned officer is a long one and has been in the works for about two years. When I had the first inkling about entering military service I was badly out of shape and decided to develop a plan.
I needed to lose weight before I even attempted to run. I think my goal was forty pounds and I would start running when I reached that goal. I dropped the forty pounds but I was way too embarrassed to run outside because I sucked at running and I was a pasty white. I wanted to look slim, tanned and like someone who was training for a marathon - yea right!
My fears made me delay my running debut for another few months and I was able to drop another twenty pounds. However, the day came when I would put on the trainers, set my watch and hit the roads.
I located this trail near where I was staying. This helped as I would not have to run streets and be seen by everyone. So, it offerred a little more privacy. I found a tanning place and browned up a little bit and bought some appropriate shorts that were not tiny running shorts but allowed air to get to the important spots while I ran.
Day one! I walk towards the trail, but as soon as I get to within sight of the trail I see tons of high school aged kids and what looks like their keepers all on the trail. I immediately turned around and headed home. My running debut would have to come on a day when the trail was less crowded.
Two days later I returned to the trail, but this time I drove the short distance. No crowds of teenagers, not much in the way of people were in sight. This would be the day. The beginning of my new running endeavor where I would run, get better ina short time and travel the states competing in marathons and becoming a world renowned runner the likes of that would resonate throughout history.
The trail was a 2.5 mile trail with hills and turns and uneven all over the place. I found a starting spot, stretched for a full five seconds, started the stopwatch function on my watch and was off.
I figured I would start slowly and build up my speed after the first mile and sprint at the end. It was a plan, I thought a sound plan, but something happened. Pain, gasping for air and overwhelming failure. I had run about 1/4 of a mile (if that) and needed to stop, walk and catch my breath.
So, change in plans. I would catch my breath and return to the original plan. I started running again. Pain, gasping for air and frustration returned and I stopped to walk again. I repeated this pattern for the entire 2.5 miles and when all was said and done my overall time was a blistering thirty plus minutes. Yea. My running needed some work!
It took months before I could finish the 2.5 miles without stopping and even then there would be days where I had to stop and walk a bit. This very week I stopped and walked during one of my runs, but that is more related to my attempting to run faster and not just finish the course.
Running is not organic to me and I still strive to get better. No, I will not be competing in any marathons or half marathons. My goals are way scaled back now. I dream of finishing the 1.5 miles in COT within 13 minutes (dare to dream) and maybe be able to complete the required 5K second to last. Anything but finishing last will be a moral victory for me!
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