Race #7: Freedom Run

Alright, I really don't mean for this blog to become a series of random race reports, but that seems to be what it's become. Last week, on July 4, I ran a 15K Freedom Run. It was pretty fun to run on the 4th of July with a bunch of other crazy people who decided to wake up early on a holiday. There were SO many people at the race that it took an extra half hour to get everyone checked in so the race could start. But still it was fun.

Let me preface this race by saying that I have, in the back of my little brain, a crazy idea that I'd like to run a marathon. However, I'm not sure I have the power or stamina to do it. So, I decided I would try Jeff Galloway's running method. His philosophy is that you run an entire race with a series of running and walking. From the beginning, you run for a certain amount of minutes, then walk for a certain amount of minutes. He maintains that walk breaks allow your muscles to recharge so you don't tire easily. I decided if I'm going to make it through a marathon, this might be the only way I'll make it.

So for last week's Freedom Run, I decided to give the run/walk thing a little trial. According to his recommendations, my ratio should be 3:1, running to walking. For this race I tried 4 minutes running, 1 walking. It actually worked very well. I think the hardest part was forcing myself to walk right from the beginning. Everyone was just starting out, and after 4 minutes, I definitely wasn't tired. It was so hard to stop and walk. But I did and I kept this up for the entire race.

It was amazing how much more pleasant the race was. I didn't feel like I was dying toward the end and I actually felt like I had energy to keep going once I was done. When all was said and done, I completed the 9.3 miles just a little slower than I would have if I had run the entire race. I usually average between 10-10:30 minute miles. My average time for this race was around a 10:45 minute mile. I'm not complaining.

But as I was running (and walking) I had a bit of an epiphany. I decided that for me, what's important is that I keep exercising; that I don't stop running (or walking, as the case may be). As much as I'd like to be super fast and competitive, it's not going to happen. I think a lot of runners focus on how fast they go, or how many people they pass, or on improving their PR's. And of course, true, hard-core runners never stop to walk. It's really hard not to get caught up in all of that hoopla.

But during this race, I decided to let go of the idea that I may someday become that hard-core runner. It was kind of hard to get to that point, but I'm OK with it now. I have a bit of a competitive streak in me, but when it comes to running, I'm just going to set it aside. I have come to accept that I will never be a graceful gazelle who takes car-length strides with each step. Nope. Not me. I'm in no hurry. I have my whole life to run. Maybe over the course of my life, my times will improve, but I'm not really worried much about that any more. Nope. Not me.

I decided I'm just going to be a short-striding, selfish runner. I run for me. I run to stay healthy. I run so in 20 years, I'll still be able to run. I run to enjoy the accomplishment I feel after crossing the finish line. I run because it gives me a chance to escape from reality for awhile. I run to stay in shape. I run for me.

It's taken me over a year to get to this point, but I think I've finally found my happy running place, and I'm taking up residence.