Bold Moves
My endurance running journey started in October of 2011 when I ran the KC Marathon with Team in Training. I’ve been hooked ever since. I am blessed with a supportive family but I think they fully expected that I would be a “one and done” after that first marathon. Afterall, that was my initial game plan. Yet less than 30 days after crossing the finish line I was once again in a race, my first half-marathon. When my Hubby noticed me searching the internet for 2012 races, he knew this was not over.
Even so, running has been totally my thing, which is ok. We only have one kid at home now and although a phenomenal athlete, she prefers basketball over running. Hubby has stuck with me for runs 4 miles and under, since his back can’t take much more than that. He runs with me not because he likes it…..he runs with me so that we can enjoy doing an athletic activity together. True love! Neither can understand my passion for running or why I keep signing up for marathons and half-marathons, but they support me 100% and never criticize. Dynamo Daughter is actually a good runner, she just doesn’t enjoy it. Yet she has been there at the finish of my last two marathons and ran with me the last 3/10 of a mile each time.
Imagine my pleasant shock and surprise on Thanksgiving Day, when I knocked on her door while the Turkey was enjoying his sauna, letting her know that I was heading out for a short run and the door flew open, “Wait! I’m coming too!” I think I literally stood there with my mouth hanging open. “You’re not going far, right?” she half asked, half commented. Still paralyzed with the immediate happiness that only comes when your teen child actually WANTS to spend time with you, I managed to shake my head no. Realizing that I hadn’t talked yet, she stopped lacing her shoes and laughed. “Can I borrow something for my ears?”
I should mention that it was really cold on Thanksgiving Day. About 25 degrees. The positive was that the sun was out and not much wind. I had just run the Gobbler Grind Half-marathon the prior Sunday in 12 degree weather so 25 degrees now felt reasonable. This was not a training run. It was a ‘get out of the house and do something physical’ run before eating tons of food. Now it was more than that. It was time with Dynamo Daughter….running together! I loaned her one of my headbands and we were out the door.
Walking down the driveway, she again wanted to confirm that we would only run a few miles. In return, I wanted to confirm that we were running my pace, not hers! Deal. Hubby was out on the side of our property chopping wood. I hollered at him as we ran by. He turned from the wood pile and gave us a big wave with an equally big smile. All was right with the world because I was running with my Dynamo Daughter and she VOLUNTEERED to run with me! Whoot, whoot!
We live in a hilly, country area so the run was fun. We moved along and chatted about all sorts of things. I don’t think Dynamo Daughter ever got her heart rate up or broke a sweat. I, on the other hand, was sweating before we hit the one mile mark. We wound around the neighborhood and I thought we could easily do 3 miles. On the last hill I felt a tweak in my right hamstring, so we turned right, back to the house instead. I was disappointed, it was ending too soon! The whole 2.5 miles I was on cloud nine. Even during the hamstring issue, nothing mattered because I was with Dynamo Daughter. We trotted into the driveway and settled into a walk. It was over way too soon but I was still happy – she made my day! Side note: hamstring is fine, just a little tweak.
I wish Dynamo Daughter enjoyed running as much as I do. She has an effortless, beautiful stride. I loved watching her run next to me.
So three years into my marathon journey I have now had the pleasure of running with both daughters (our oldest is blazing her own trails now). And, on New Year’s Day, Hubby, Dynamo Daughter and I will do a 5k togehter, the Commit To Run 5k. I can hardly wait! I have the best family ever!
