Girl Power
From my 96-year-old great grandmother to my grandmother, aunts, cousins, and mom, the women in my family have always been models of intelligence, humor, love, positivity, and strength. These same women have little tolerance for whining, quitting, or excuses. So, it's no surprise that I tend to make female friends who are made of the same stuff and who are capable of extraordinary things.
When I met my husband, I had no physically demanding hobbies. As a teenager, I did dance, gymnastics, and cheerleading; but as an adult, I had no "sport," nothing to keep me active. JT encouraged me to start running with him. At first, I was apprehensive. I didn't have the confidence that I could do it or be good at it because I didn't see myself as an athlete. And I certainly never saw myself signing up for, pinning a number on, and participating in a race. How intimidating! But, three and a half years later with countless 5Ks, several 10Ks, and 4 (soon to be 5) half marathons under my belt, I am officially proud to call myself a "runner" and see myself as an accomplished athlete.
I hate to think that there are women out there that are letting attitudes, similar to my old one, hold them back from attaining higher degrees of physical fitness and self-confidence. I have learned that no matter your age or season in life, a person needs to set, pursue, work hard for, and achieve goals. It's good for us as women to have something of our own. It's even better if we can join in, encourage one another, and attain goals together!
With that said, I cannot fully express what my running group has and will continue to mean to me. Over the past three years, the numbers of our group are always rising and falling depending on the busy schedules of its members. Currently, we are a female wolf pack of 4. And poor things, they have no idea I'm about to brag on and be mushy about them in a blog post.
I'll start with KRISTIN first since she is the newest addition to our group (that we've yet to give a name). A little over 6 months ago, she expressed a desire to start running, so we started her off with the classic Couch to 5K program for beginners. We used the free C25K app ; it's running for dummies and a must for beginners. She started in the dead heat of summer (sometimes 100 degrees with 100% humidity) and stuck it out - never missed a day. She's tough. Then, she really surprised me. One day, while running in temperatures that would make a grown man cry and sweating gallons of perspiration, she says that she would like to train for a half marathon (and she hadn't even run a 5K yet)! I was shocked and happy and promised to help her get ready for her first half. I love her ambition and dedication to her goals despite her demanding work schedule and responsibilities.
I met BECKY a little over a year ago at a church small group. Through various conversations, we discovered a mutual love for exercise and trying to stay in shape while being moms. Shortly thereafter, she joined our little running club (which still needs a name). She quickly voiced her desire for training for her first half marathon as well. Right away, I was so impressed - and continue to be so - by her dedication; she consistently makes time in her busy schedule, which includes juggling the activities of 4 children, to carve out space for her personal health and a grueling training schedule. She's our group cheerleader, always full of encouragement and always ready with a smile.
Then, there's my mom, DEBRA. She started running around the same time I did 3 years ago, but she's so much better and faster and more competitive than me. She sets personal goals and reaches them, like running a 5K in under 30 minutes (something which I've yet been able to accomplish, though I've come close...30 seconds close). She also encourages me to get out and run, to keep running when I'd rather walk, and to push myself to achieve faster paces in all the races we enter. Even though she's fallen down a lot and hurt herself pretty bad several times, she always finishes her run and hits the pavement (no pun intended) not soon after. She inspires me more than she knows, and I am so happy that we've discovered a sport that we can participate in together. It makes running and racing that much more special.
As for me, this will be the first half marathon that I've run pregnant. By race day, I'll be 4 months along. I made a promise to Kristin that I'd run her first half marathon with her even if I got pregnant again. Although I didn't anticipate being pregnant again this soon, I still intend to keep my promise. What's more, I'm so excited to be there in New Orleans next weekend to see two friends cross the finish line of a major race for the first time. There WILL be tears and lots of pictures!
What I've learned through running and, more specifically, through running with a group of women is that girly-girls who wear makeup and high heels can be tough as nails. We don't make excuses. We wake up early on Saturdays; we run late at night after a hard day's work; we run in the blinding rain with mascara running down our faces; we run in the scorching heat; we run hurt with strained tendons, sore hips and knees, stress fractures, and morning sickness; we run when we don't feel like it; we run pushing heavy, awkward jogging strollers; we aren't afraid of hills or running in the recent Polar Vortex weather phenomenon. No matter what, we just RUN. It takes accountability and discipline, but it's so worth it in so many ways.
So ladies, here's to you and to reaching your goal next weekend at the Rock n' Roll New Orleans Half Marathon. Can't wait to see the race medals hanging around your pretty little necks! Excited about spending many more years of setting and achieving goals with such incredible women.
Love y'all.
When I met my husband, I had no physically demanding hobbies. As a teenager, I did dance, gymnastics, and cheerleading; but as an adult, I had no "sport," nothing to keep me active. JT encouraged me to start running with him. At first, I was apprehensive. I didn't have the confidence that I could do it or be good at it because I didn't see myself as an athlete. And I certainly never saw myself signing up for, pinning a number on, and participating in a race. How intimidating! But, three and a half years later with countless 5Ks, several 10Ks, and 4 (soon to be 5) half marathons under my belt, I am officially proud to call myself a "runner" and see myself as an accomplished athlete.
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| Pre-wedding day 5K in Fairhope with my wedding party: 2010 |
With that said, I cannot fully express what my running group has and will continue to mean to me. Over the past three years, the numbers of our group are always rising and falling depending on the busy schedules of its members. Currently, we are a female wolf pack of 4. And poor things, they have no idea I'm about to brag on and be mushy about them in a blog post.
 |
| Color Run Mobile 2013 |
I met BECKY a little over a year ago at a church small group. Through various conversations, we discovered a mutual love for exercise and trying to stay in shape while being moms. Shortly thereafter, she joined our little running club (which still needs a name). She quickly voiced her desire for training for her first half marathon as well. Right away, I was so impressed - and continue to be so - by her dedication; she consistently makes time in her busy schedule, which includes juggling the activities of 4 children, to carve out space for her personal health and a grueling training schedule. She's our group cheerleader, always full of encouragement and always ready with a smile.
Then, there's my mom, DEBRA. She started running around the same time I did 3 years ago, but she's so much better and faster and more competitive than me. She sets personal goals and reaches them, like running a 5K in under 30 minutes (something which I've yet been able to accomplish, though I've come close...30 seconds close). She also encourages me to get out and run, to keep running when I'd rather walk, and to push myself to achieve faster paces in all the races we enter. Even though she's fallen down a lot and hurt herself pretty bad several times, she always finishes her run and hits the pavement (no pun intended) not soon after. She inspires me more than she knows, and I am so happy that we've discovered a sport that we can participate in together. It makes running and racing that much more special.
 |
| Rock n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon 2013 |
What I've learned through running and, more specifically, through running with a group of women is that girly-girls who wear makeup and high heels can be tough as nails. We don't make excuses. We wake up early on Saturdays; we run late at night after a hard day's work; we run in the blinding rain with mascara running down our faces; we run in the scorching heat; we run hurt with strained tendons, sore hips and knees, stress fractures, and morning sickness; we run when we don't feel like it; we run pushing heavy, awkward jogging strollers; we aren't afraid of hills or running in the recent Polar Vortex weather phenomenon. No matter what, we just RUN. It takes accountability and discipline, but it's so worth it in so many ways.
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| SOMEONE BUSIER THAN YOU IS RUNNING RIGHT NOW! 0871._2300_noexcuses.jpg |
Love y'all.
Great post! My New Years goal is to try as many new things as possible - all the things that I've always meant to try but never have because I didn't think I would be great at it right away.
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