Drumstick Dash

I’m going to have to keep up with this running thing—I’m actually getting better.  Yesterday I ran the Drumstick Dash (a charity race for a local rescue mission), and I placed 1226 out of 3763 (pace 8:52).  It turns out I run a whole lot faster when I don’t have to slog through mud and rivers and stuff (okay, that’s probably not much of a surprise).  I’ve been pushing harder in my regular runs since it’s gotten colder, but I didn’t think I had improved that much.  I know you’re not supposed to congratulate yourself usually, but I am so proud of me!  Nearly all my life, I’ve been sedentary—relaxing on the couch with a book was my speed.  I always liked to walk and hike, but claimed that I wouldn’t run unless someone was chasing me.  When I started, I could barely jog for 60 seconds at a time—and look at me now.  I can run 6 miles at a time, or more.  It astounds me that I can do this, that I stuck with it, and that I’m still improving.  I’m willing to run when it’s raining, or cold, or I’m sore, but it still feels strange to say this:  I am a runner.  Sometimes it feels like someone is going to look at me and laugh when I say that, but I’m realizing that my image of myself hasn’t caught up with the reality.  I’m not the no-body-fat-marathoner yet, but I’m so much leaner and stronger than I used to be.  And I’m hoping to start training for longer and longer races soon.  Maybe a half-marathon in April and the whole 26.2 next November!  And it’s not a “someday I’m gonna” sort of dream.  It’s something I know now that I am perfectly capable of doing.  Because I AM A RUNNER!