I *might* owe you an apology.
You probably remember every Spring and Fall when you marched our class out to that gorgeous red track for fitness testing? We were all supposed to run a mile. Just one mile. Ideally, in 15 minutes or less. But for the varsity athletes of the class, under nine really wasn’t asking too much.
Well at the time, one mile was the closest thing I knew to true suffering. I seriously wondered if the school knew what was going on out there. And, I was pretty sure one mile was just under the longest distance any human could expect to cover without dying of heat stroke or organ failure. 39 lashes before 4th period.
Yet somehow, every year, after a fair amount of half-fainting, near-vomiting, huffing, puffing, and laying in the grass with my feet in the air and my face beet red, I managed to complete that mile in enough time to crawl back to the locker room and change back into my corduroys and Doc Martens and head to lunch. (that’s right – no shower. In retrospect, not sure why we were all okay with that…)
Ms. Smith, you were right, I was wrong. Running a mile did not kill me. And while 26.2 miles did kill Pheidippides, it turns out the human body was actually made for such things. And, four consecutive laps around the track is not asking too much of the average, healthy tenth grader. Who knew, right?
Still, it probably goes without saying that running is not my favorite. Even as a varsity athlete, running-for-running’s-sake never ever appealed to me.
And now, I’m a grown up. I turned *cough* thirty *cough* last summer and my metabolism just ain’t what it used to be. And I refuse to stand by and watch what I worked so hard for came pretty effortlessly for so long fall to pieces because I don’t love to exercise.
Almost two years ago I bought my first big girls pair of running shoes and I invited y’all to hit the pavement with me. At first, it was like being in gym class all over again and the thought of running an entire mile – even with walk breaks – made me want to lay in the grass with my feet up again.
But, there’s something about strength in numbers. And we were a team of eighteen people who weren’t super fond of running, but wanted to take care of our bodies, enjoyed the fun of being on a team, and had one very intimidating-yet-worthy goal in mind.
And probably my favorite part was the way we competed-slash-held-each-other-accountable using Nike+. It worked super well for us to set goals, create competitions and offer up prizes. We started in June 2011 and six months later in December we all ran (and completed!) the St. Jude half marathon in Memphis (we also managed to have a mini-meet-up in Franklin before the big day and a lot of fun together that weekend).
That’s right. The lame high school girl who couldn’t run a mile in gym class ran 13.1 miles in Memphis. What.
(also, I neither puked nor passed out… although I did cry just a bit as I ran injured for the last 6 miles of the race…)
So.
Why am I bringing all of this up now? Well, I’ve got the itch. And – a new pair of running shoes! Now all I need is a fun running team from all over the country to train and hate running with me.
I’m toying with the idea of running the St. Jude half in Nashville at the end of April. And possibly (please don’t hold me to this) joining Ryan in the Chicago marathon in October.
So, at the risk of tumbleweeds and crickets in the comments here, I’ll just go ahead and ask:
that is to say…
does anybody want to join me in training on Nike+? And perhaps… for the half marathon in Nashville that is 15 weeks away?
anyone want to prove it to their high school selves (and gym teachers) that running might not actually equal death?
anyone need some accountability to get fit, even if they’re starting at square zero?
tell me what y’all are thinking and let’s put something together!
*added*
YAY! Lots of people are tweeting/emailing/commenting that they’re interested. Let’s do this – if you are interested in possibly jumping in, email me with the answers to the following questions:
Blog (if you have one):
Twitter handle:
Oh my goodness – ME! I had basically the same high school story – thought running was torture! Then I fell in love with it later. I’ve never been “good” (i.e. fast or impressive endurance), and through the last few years I’ve stopped altogether. I couldn’t run an entire mile right now without stopping! I’d love to get back to it, though. My pants would appreciate it, also!
I’m game! I log through Dailymile though but I’m sure I could go Nike+ too! Do you need the little dohincky thing? I’m doing a half at the end of March and then one the beginning of May with a girl I met at Influence…the great things to come from there!
So yes consider me game.
“Runners” unite! Because I’m totally not a real runner runner, but I do run in my books!
Yay, Kim!! As long as your smartphone has 3G (gps), Nike+ should work great without any additional doohickies :) (I used to use a chip in my shoe with my ipod, but now that I have an iphone it’s all built in. Actually, I think my husband uses a Nano, so maybe you don’t even need 3G…)
Do me a favor and email me (raechelmyers at gmail) so I can add you to the list
I have tried running off and on for over a year now. I will to a week to two weeks of running and then I quit. I think it would be easier to run with accountability. I don’t think I could make it a mile without stopping. I REALLY out of shape. But let’s do it! I live in Texas so I don’t think I would do the half but just the accountability would be nice :) How/when do we start?
Great! Email me (raechelmyers at gmail) and I’ll add you to the list. We’ll make this happen :)
I would be interested… I need the accountability aspect! Do you have to buy any devices or can you just log things online?
Hey Brooke!
If you have a smart phone, you can log everything with the Nike+ app – no extra devices required. Without the GPS on your phone though, it might be tricky to enter time/distance/pacing into the team log. Hm….
I would be interested. I have been thinking about trying to get into running and maybe even investing in a new pair of runnung shoes. I think maybe some accountability would be good for me and I would be able to stick with a program all the way through. I have used the Nike+ app before and really liked it! I would love to do something like this!
perfect, Lydia! email me (raechelmyers at gmail) so I can add you to the list!
Me me me me!!! I do run some and I love it, but I let life get in my way. I need accountability!
perfect! email me and I’ll get a list going :)
I would love to join in on this for the accountability! I am in California so I’m not sure I would be able to make the half in Nashville, but I’d love to keep up with everyone through the app. I’m guessing I should email you so I can be added to the list? :) This is a great idea. Thank you!
yes, do! Excited!!!
I’m interested in running accountability! I don’t know if I could train for a mini… Health restrictions but I’m good for up to 5 or 6
Yay, Hannah!!! email me and I’ll add you to the list!
I’m in!! I need to up my running and get super fit….. ummm cuz’ you never know what is around the corner;) I am signed up for the Lincoln Half in May…. possibly up for another one, but definitely up for training on Nike+.
perfect! Glad to get to train with you again! xoxo
I am in! I am doing a half marathon in a few weeks in Huntington Beach, Ca, and have been running, minimally, haha. Mostly I want to keep up the running after the marathon so being held accountable by an awesome group would be great, and fun! We will see how I like doing this first half marathon before I commit to another one, but I do want to commit to keeping up the running.
I really like when you blog :)
I check each morning. without. fail.
Also? I love that new gorgeous pic up there on the right :)
Also? I would totally start running again – but I don’t have any fancy Nike + stuff! psh.
I really really like you, too :)
Also, you have to run with me. And Nike+ is just an app – nothing fancy.
And my husband took that picture. Because he’s a nice guy :)
I so want to be a runner. It’s always been a dream. I do suffer from self diagnosed outdoor asthma. I can “run” on a treadmill , but outside? Nope! I’ve tried. Even did 2 minutes once and didnt die. I like you, just recently turned 30 and I’d like to finally set things where they should be! Haha. Also I lost both of my parents to Undiagnosed heart disease. They had heart attacks and didnt make it. I want to live past 40 and past 44. Do you think you can help a girl as unfit as me?! Will you be my Jillian michaels? Without all the screaming cause I’m too sensitive for that! My biggest fear? The weather. I live in New England each day is a different climate! Oh man. A lot of “issues” already! Hahaha I clearly need help!
yes add me please! i am running the St Jude Marathon in April as a fundraiser for our adoption…oh dont even look at my blog its terribly behind and i havent even gotten started with the fundraising for this run or even running yet. i was just praying today for some form of accountability. wala answer to my prayer! oh and im going to do the half marathon in sept in chicago with project hopeful! woohoo for connections
So fun! Adding you to the list, Keely!
oh and my twitter is MamaEli
Accountability only bc I’m running a 50 mile relay in may. My twitter is AmandaLdesigns and I’m guessing a 4 at running. Just need to get motivated.
Yessss! I was already hoping to run the half in Nashville! Oh, and I’m Brei and I live in GA. I am about an 8, running-wise. My twitter handle is @breifloyd…I’ll have to download the app! I like accountability…especially when it’s cold outside and I like to stay in bed instead of run! :-)
oh, yay! Brei, I’m geeked that you’re doing it! I added you to my list :)
I so wish I could jump right in but my knee is SO jacked! Although we have been wanting to visit Nashville now that we live in Little Rock…need a cheerleader at the race? ;) (ps TOTALLY serious a out that!)
Arg! I wish that the 1/2 was just a few weeks later. I have a client who is due around the end of April. I can’t commit to traveling/the half when I’m on call.
Seems lik last time I had just popped a baby out, too. Dangit.
But, I can run with you. :)
Ok… I need accountability! I’m laying on my couch right now totally dreading this!! I’d say am about a 4 maybe?? Longest distance I’ve done is an 8k. I’ll email ya!
Just emailed you! Pumped about this!!
Ok. Emailing you. The sidewalks look clear today…. time to dust off those sneaks.
PS- love your new pic on your sidebar… pretty pretty!
Yessssss…… :)
I will have to e-mail you later… I’m in! I’m training for the Cherry Blossom Ten Miler in DC (early April) so we’re kind of attempting to hit the same goal. If I’m getting close and it looks like I might actually make it ten miles… I’m going to do a half in May. I was pretty stoked about turning 30 last year until I realized that I weigh five pounds more than I did a year ago – WHAT!?!? I’m a small girl like you – I don’t know what happened! You’re telling me that once I hit 30 I have to actually watch what I eat? And keep up with my running – OR ELSE?? Ugh. Like I said, I’m in.
Just emailed you! This is perfect timing :) Thanks for putting it together!
I have sooo been needing some sort of accountability to start running again! I was running pretty steady early last year but I dealt with a few injuries that threw a wrench in my running wheel. I haven’t ran in FOREVER and I’m pretty sure I’m a 1 on the running scale. meh. I live too far away to join you in your race but I’m looking into some local races here in Jacksonville. Seems we have a Color Run every couple months so I think that would be a good first race for me!