High on Aspiration, Low on Ability...Part 5

The prequels!

High on Aspiration, Low on Ability

High on Aspiration, Low on Ability....Part 2

High on Aspiration, Low on Ability....Part 3

High on Aspiration, Low on Ability....Part 4

Since I started running in January,  I've crossed a few things off of my bucket list.  I've never run a whole mile in my entire life, so all of this is really....something.  I was always one of the kids strolling around the field, getting a 20 minute mile for my Phys. Ed. test.  Now my record is 6.5 miles in one run.  I ran from my house to my parent's house, and I called my mom before I left. "Hey, if I run to your house, will you give me a lift home?  I sure as hell ain't running back."  "Oh, well I'm not home from the grocery store yet..." "Ma, I'm running there, not driving....you got a while." (1 hour and 26 minutes to be exact.  She made it home in PLENTY of time.)

I made an attempt two weeks ago to reenter the running world. I had been easing my ankle into things with the elliptical, and wasn't planning on running anywhere just yet.  BUT...the kids wanted to go see the cows in the pasture behind my parent's house.  "What does that have to do with anything?!" an inquiring mind might ask.  I really wish there was a sensical answer to that...but there isn't.

As it turns out, a sufficient level of satisfaction could not be reached by simply LOOKING at the cows.  The totally reasonable, undemanding children wanted to PET the cows.  Unfortunately, cows aren't really creatures that are known for wanting to BE petted...so they all ran away.  Luckily, the totally reasonable, undemanding children had an alternate proposal - if THEY couldn't pet the cows, the next best thing was (obviously) for ME to pet the cow for them.

There was crying and talk of depression over broken cow-petting dreams - so I did what any normal person who happened to have her running kicks on would do - I chased the stupid cows.  One of the cows stopped running (they are HUGE at arms distance, by the way) and we stood there looking at each other.  I thought we were like, bonding through eye contact or something, so I held my hand out... and it snorted at me.  Once my feet landed back on the ground from jumping out of my skin, I took off.  THAT was probably my fastest mile to date.  It's a damn shame I didn't flip my Map My Run app on before I bolted...

Then, I had a stomach bug two weeks in a row and have been all but worthless.  I think I've gotten two good runs in the past two weeks.  And by "good" I mean "I didn't throw up and/or die."

This weekend, I have my first 5K...definitely not something the kid leisurely walking 20 minute miles ever anticipated signing up for.  I'll let you know how that goes.  I do plan on surviving the race - without hitting up the first aid tent.  I did a practice run tonight (3.1 miles) and that didn't totally do me in, so things are looking good.  I had to stop and walk a few times, and I'm pretty sure I shook off a heart attack once or twice....so just the usual.  I got this!

♥M