I was a joiner in high school. I was a cheerleader, in National Honor Society, drama club, Amnesty International and editor of the paper. I was a participant in all, master of none. But it was track that really threw me for a loop.
I was terrible. I mean I had no motivation. I had no stamina. I had no business pretending to be an athlete. The first couple of meets were tolerable considering I only did one or two events- the 100 meter dash and hurdles. However, one day the coach asked my friend and I to step it up and run the 400 meter. No big deal, right? Ha. Remember, I was AWFUL (and I also spent every practice chatting with friends instead of doing…anything).
My friend and I promised each other that under no circumstances would we leave the other behind. We lined up at the starting point, bent over and booked it when the gun went off. Not too long after, I panted, “Don’t…leave…me…” as she blew by in a cloud of dust. The back of her head was all I needed to see to make me lose the little shred of dignity and ambition I had left.
I veered off the track, heaved myself to the parking lot and never attended another track meet again. I became a quitter that day.
There is no moral to this story. I have done a couple of 5ks since high school and finished them all. I am currently searching for another to sign up for to give me motivation to attempt running yet again. My friend is running her fifth marathon in two weeks. I donate to her charity of choice every year. We all do what we can want. Friend, I still love you even though I’ll never forget the trauma of being ditched. Sorry I didn’t show up to your marathon fundraiser this year. Are we even?
Today was Day Six (or Day F) of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge.
One of my college roommates has been in town, so my creative juices are moving more slowly than usual. I will have a recap of this upcoming amazing weekend once my brain cells are again fully functioning. Hoping you’ll follow me on Bloglovin or Twitter! New friends make me happy!
Hi, I'm Kate. I'm fairly new to this whole blogging thing, but loving it already. Please reach out with any questions!
You’ve gotta play to your strengths!! Sounds like you just had another path to follow.
I am very bad
Sorry for the weird comment, my cellphone froze and posted it when I wasn’t even through yet! Grrr!
I meant to say, I am very bad at running too. Like you, I also joined a marathon with my bestfriend but the difference between you and me is that she didn’t leave me. When I got a stitch in my side and couldn’t run anymore, she hung back and together we just brisk-walked through the 5k marathon.
Your post made me realize what a great friend she was – and still is. I should go tell her how much I appreciate her.
From the A-Z neighborhood,
D is for Deecoded
You should definitely let her know 🙂
I feel your pain. I am no runner either. I did a 1/2 marathon two years ago and nearly died, lol. I walked it, but it was still brutal.
Anything with marathon in its name is definitely scary….
I wish I could run, but alas, I don’t have the stamina, either. I think you and your friend are definitely even! 🙂
DEFINITELY even 🙂
I like the comment about playing up your strengths!
but if you try running again, just run. It’s that simple.
No certain speed or distance makes you a runner.
PS. your comment on my post came through no-reply :((((….
I can’t figure out how to fix the no reply issue 😦
Wow. This makes me say OUCH nearly all the way through. I still haven’t done the 5K thing but I promise I have the best intentions. Argh. And thanks for reminding me I am being and need to get my F written for A to Z. It is the first day I have waited this long to post! I feel like I am cheating on my A to Z! Youch! Not to mention I missed the sitssharefest twitter party and oh, yeah, my daughter just told me there was some dog vomit that needs my attention.
I better get moving. This could get really ugly. LOL.
Happy A to Z-ing!
Julie Jordan Scott
Our Literary Grannies from A to Z:E is for Ellen Emerson
tweet me – @juliejordanscot
Don’t feel bad. I have no idea what I am going to write this week. Hope your day got better… you should have had your daughter do the cleaning!
I have run a couple of 5ks and a 10k – but am really slow (painfully slow….) since I am a firm believer that if you are too out of breath to talk you are doing something badly wrong! Gossiping make running so much better!
Have a lovely weekend.
Kate x
Kate at Home
Gossiping definitely helps… walks are much more effective for that!
I ran track in high school too. Even as an athlete, the 400 was the worst event. The theory is that is a “sprint” race. Yea right. I’ve seen many a people throwing up after running that event. So really it just sounds like you were ahead of the game and quit while you were ahead. There is a bright side to every situation.
Elliot
We Are Adventure
Very true!
You were certainly active in high school and I am envious that you have the capacity to run well! You should do some marathons! You will definitely find it rewarding
Haha- unfortunately, I do not have the capacity for running to the mailbox at this point!
I was not any good at sports either and actually hated them and wished, at the time, there was no such thing as PE class.
Sunni
I always chose the activities like walking or yoga for gym class!
You are awesome and you’ve done whatever I’ve convinced you was a good idea and dragged you to (5k, 5:30am boot camp)!! 🙂
I need you here to keep me motivated!