Danielle's Training Check-in

I am so excited about this new goal and challenge I have set for myself in running a 5k and honored that Chris has asked me to share my experience. I have always loved the idea of discovering new challenges, setting a goal and working towards achieving whatever it may be. First and foremost, I have to admit that I have always had a complete love/hate relationship with running and about 5 years ago the hate part took over. Growing up, I was always involved in sports and of course with each activity entailed some amount of running. However, I didn’t really begin to run distances until my early twenties. My older brother, who is an avid runner initially peaked my interest due to his love and dedication to the sport. At the time, I would crank up my Walkman (yes, Walkman) and trudge along. I didn’t necessarily love to run and can honestly say never experienced that illusive "Runner's High". What hooked me and kept me going was the camaraderie and support I found along the way with other runners. I was hooked on running dates, planning races with friends and most importantly connecting with my brother on a shared interest. I relished in his visits home from college where the two of us would go for a run. It was a rare time where the two of us could be alone and talk, and along the way he would motivate me to keep going. As my stamina increased and my network of runner friends grew, I impulsively signed myself up for a half marathon. The first person I told was my brother, who was excited and beyond supportive. The problem was that I didn’t have a clear plan as to how I would achieve this goal. I just kept running as usual and fairly quickly became defeated. I could not fathom getting to the level of finishing an entire 12.2 miles, what was I thinking? Just as impulsively as I signed up for the race, I decided to quit. I phoned my brother telling him that I would not be running the race. His response “Well, if that’s what you want to do that’s fine, but I never took you as a quitter”. The transparent reverse psychology in those words, changed my thinking. So in a mere 3 weeks, I feverishly ran and had myself up to 8 miles. I did run the race and made it through, but it was grueling, and that’s an understatement. I continued to run moderately after that and about five years ago decided to completely stop. The love/hate relationship had shifted to one of hatred. I was finding absolutely zero pleasure in the activity.
I realized that I needed to find other ways to move my body that felt better for me. I begin mountain biking, hiking and yoga and fell in love with all of them. I loved pushing my body, but more than that loved feeling connected to my body and my environment. I began to honor my body and to listen to it. When I was tired I slowed down, if on a hike I was pulled to look at a unusual flower I did and if I just wanted to sit and soak in my surroundings that was okay. A Walkman (or now I pod) was always required to distract me and get me to the finish line. With this new found body/mind wisdom, the enticement of running began to flutter back into my mind.
Coincidentally, around this same time, Chris asked me to join her in training for a 5k. I was hesitant at first, but decided to give it a try, employing my ability to listen and honor my body. I am in a different place in my life and running may be a new experience.
I have slowly started the training process with clear goals and I feel much more attuned with what my body needs and can tolerate now. I realize, that for me, going to a gym or running on a treadmill does not give me energy, but in fact takes it away. I have fallen in love with running outside on trails, especially with my dog Bella, who is grateful to be along for the run. Bella has taught me that it is fantastic to run full speed ahead, and glorious to stop and look around at something intriguing. I am curious and excited to learn more about myself and to continue to share my journey with everyone.
~Danielle