July 4th, 2009, I "ran" my first 5k with my dear friend, Caitlin, who more or less drug me across the finish line. And you just know that 14 year old Lauren is rolling over in her gym shorts, as she was notorious running the ever so daunting mile in a trusty 30 minutes flat. Never, in a million years, did I imagine myself crossing the finish line of a 13 mile race. Well, SUCK it young Lauren, because old Lauren just KICKED your butt.
As the 24th of July tradition continued on for our family, we would sit and watch the runners fly by early in the morning while we saved our spot. Every once in a while, one of us would mutter the words, "someday we will run that run." Well, someday I did. In 2013, I ran the 5k, and felt accomplished. In 2014 I ran the 10k, and felt even MORE accomplished. And in 2015, I ran the half marathon and felt as if I were on cloud 9!!!
An early, and cold, shuttle ride up the canyon soon revealed itself to a beautiful sunrise amidst the fading stars was breathtaking. The exhilaration of the race had me running my fastest mile to date, and also, my fastest 5k. The people around me were inspiring, and the scenery entertained me. Mile 3, mile 4, and even mile 5 seemed to just fly by. By around mile 6, my legs had become practically non existent, and my mind was becoming a blur. I knew I was still running, because I was moving, but I couldn't be sure my legs were actually still there. It's a funny feeling. THEN the dreaded mile 8 hit, and the leg cramps set in. I quickly popped a potassium pill the size of a brick, and realized it wasn't the cramps that were killing me at all, rather, it was my left knee that was absolutely on FIRE. I believe the pounding of the downward slope of the canyon just did it in, and I was resigned to walk more than I would have liked.
With a self motivational speech, and a prayer, I was able to slowly jog again. Around mile 10, the runners have the privilege of running along the parade route, and the support of the people of Salt Lake City is such a pick me up! I got more hi fives, applauses, motivational signs, and heck, a nice young man even gave me a cold water bottle as I ran by. Before I knew it, I was running by my own family, fulfilling my goal of running the race we watched each, and every year.
By the end of it I felt great. I mean, I felt like hell. But it was the greatest hell i'd ever felt!
Guys! We can do hard things! If this self proclaimed worst runner in the history of the world could run, finish, and not even do half bad in a half marathon... we can do anything. Humans are amazing, and humans all over inspire me each day. It's one thing to look to others as examples, but it takes something wonderful to be able to look to yourself as an example. What will be next in the list of Lauren's random goals and adventures?!
Thanks to all my family, friends, and random stranger neighbors for your love and support.
No comments:
Post a Comment