Stories
Do you have a story to share? We would love to share your experience? You do not have to use your real name or other personal information, we just want to share the story. You never know how you could inspire someone else.
Where no one gets left behind.
Do you have a story to share? We would love to share your experience? You do not have to use your real name or other personal information, we just want to share the story. You never know how you could inspire someone else.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
This month marks my two-year anniversary of running my first 5k – actually, running ANYTHING, EVER in my life. As an officer of my alumni chapter, I figured I’d demonstrate my leadership by actually participating in the fundraiser run/walk. Having absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into, I just took off with all the runners – no stretching, no prep – just took off running. I finished the race after running and walking thanks to motivation from TNURCer, Damali Hill, but for the next week I could barely move. Damali would later invite me to join the TNURC – and the rest, as they say is history. I’ve never reached that runners high and I absolutely DO NOT love running, I do, however, love finishing. So far, I’ve completed several 5ks, a couple 10ks and my 1st half marathon this past March and I’m planning to complete a full by my 40th birthday next year. I think it’s gonna be the Disney Marathon 2011 in January in Orlando, Florida…any takers?
“So, my standard response to the question, “Do you run?” has become, “Not unless my life is in danger…” Really, my life is in danger if I were honest about the reality of my health.
I have all kinds of excuses as to why I don’t run, but can’t come up with one reason why I shouldn’t. Well that’s not entirely true…I do have concerns that my knees and ankles will be completely done if I try to run at this weight. Then there is the military. While in the military, I was made to run from day one, when I had never done it before. I never had the opportunity to gradually get into it. One of the things I appreciate about Tuesday Night Urban Run Club (TNURC) is that the more experienced runners encourage the walkers (me) to keep going without trying to force me to do something I’m not prepared to do.
I don’t participate in Run Club as regularly as I should, but I’m at a turning point in my life and I’m trying to be more consistent, truth be told, I really need to push myself harder, but I’m still battling some kind of irrational fear, but this summer I suspect will be a turning point for me. I have the support of great friends – many of whom are a part of TNURC, many of whom started off like me. I hate always being last, but maybe at some point I will figure out a way to make that my motivation and make the transition from walker to runner!
All in all, I have Urban Run Club to thank for getting me to this point. And my new response to the question of whether or not I run, has become, “define run…” I go on to explain how TNURC has gotten me off the couch, and while I’m not marathon ready, I can say that I’m a little more positive about the potential to run a 5k – which is my next goal.” (Submitted by a TNURC member)
As my running habits ebb and flow, I’ve noticed the importance of what the pros call cross training – doing something BESIDES running so that my body uses muscles that don’t get much action during my runs. Recently, I started working at Danneman’s Coffee in the Old Forth Ward, and our upstairs is home to “Urban Yoga” on Monday & Tuesday nights, and Monday & Wednesday mornings. I’ve started taking the Monday night class, and all I can say is “WOW!” Getting all the aches and creakiness out of my joints, and getting the heart rate up a bit on a “rest” night is starting to make a difference in my running.
Yoga is not the only way to go for cross training. Hop on your bike, shoot some hoops, take a tango class, grab some friends for a kayaking trip… Whatever it is, you’ll probably find that it has benefits for your running too
“Just One Night”
This past Spring I had a long time friend join me one night at URC. I was a little nervous for him because I knew he was out of shape, a smoker and a big, muscular guy – not overweight – just a big guy! I was not sure if he would even show, but I had been bugging him to join me one night at the Tuesday night run for months.
To my surprise he came and it was HOT the night we ran. I was sure I would never see him again for another run, but I hoped for the best. I have talked with him several times since the run and he has not said much except that it was HOT and HUMID that night and the run was tough. He did indicate that he enjoyed running with a group. I never said a negative thing back -just encouraged him to get out on his own to run/walk or come join us again. He has to drive from OTP and I was sure the last time I talked with him that he was not going to pursue running any further. Needless to say I was disappointed for both of us. I was sad for him because I thought he had not found joy in running and I was sad for me because I had lost a potential running buddy. I wanted to share my love of running and coaching with him.
Well wonders never cease….A few weeks back I received a call from him on a late Sunday AM and he asked me what running groups were near where he lived. He was running a little bit and wanted to join a group closer to Sandy Springs, etc. He said he had loved URC but it was too far to drive on a weekly basis traffic wise and his wife (also a close friend of mine) is expecting and he wanted to be more consistent with his running closer to home. Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised and was “trying to pick my mouth up off the floor” as we talked!
All it took for him to get back to running was being a part of URC for just one night! Just when I thought the group had not positively impacted him I realized I was wrong. Running that hot, humid night in the spring planted a strong “running” seed in him. He is finding his own way around the roads, setting his own goals and running/walking at his own pace! I know there are weeks he probably does not run, but that is not important. He runs again when he is ready and I am confident that each time he discovers a little bit more about himself and what he can achieve.
Bravo URC! Thanks for creating a great group that inspires the “newbie” and teaches the old “coach” a few tricks!