Many of you have probably already heard -- but this year my goal is to train for and complete a triathlon in May. I will do a sprint triathlon which includes 500 yards of swimming, 15 miles biking, and 3.1 miles running. I am not a natural athlete; and I have some unresolved issues surrounding running specifically. Growing up in Eugene I played nearly ever Kidsports sport as possible (except soccer). Here is a breakdown of my athletic history:
1st grade: T-ball
2nd grade: baseball (coach pitch or T-ball?)
3rd grade: basketball, baseball (coach pitch?)
4th grade: basketball, softball
5th grade: basketball, softball
Middle School: basketball, softball, volleyball
High School: swimming & waterpolo
Post-High School: nothing consistent :(
2009: this fall Eric and I did participate in a kickball league
However, despite this level of activity when we were charged with running the mile in P.E. class I developed some sort of mental and physical block. Specifically I remember one day in second grade when I struggled with the mile. I don't remember how much of it I ran; but I likely walked the majority of the way. What I do remember is being the last one done by a long shot. My PE teacher at the time excused the rest of my classmates and I had to complete the mile all by myself. All I remember is feeling like a disappointment and a failure as the PE teacher yelled at me to keep running and was clearly unimpressed by my resistance. Since that day, I decided I couldn't run and didn't want to run. Throughout the years I continued to have to complete the mile in PE and I would continue walking the majority of the way.
Another hang up I have regarding running involves how I run -- I feel like I never really learned. Maybe that sounds silly because running is supposed to come naturally -- as a flight skill. However, I had a coach (he would probably be hurt to know how this has effected me) who would tell me I was running flat footed. He was a former track athlete, so I took his advice to heart. But, I feel like I never really learned how to not run flat footed, or really what flat footed meant.
Why am I telling you this?
Because training for this marathon, learning to run, and consistently running with the goal of being able to run 5 miles is a BIG DEAL for me. Today I actually ran a mile for the first time since being forced my sophomore year in high school ... and I didn't do half bad. I did stop to walk twice; but I completed my first mile in 12 years on the treadmill in 13:40 seconds. This will be my baseline as I work over these next months -- wish me luck!