I am NOT a Runner (Tale of the Adeepi 5K)

I have taken enough public speaking classes and been to enough "trainings" for whatever reason to know that you really shouldn't open a statement with your weaknesses. For example, when giving a speech or presentation, don't say "Oh I am not really prepared" or "I'm sorry, I just hate speaking in front of people" because the truth is, chances are, the only reason why they know that you're nervous or unprepared, is because you told them. Well when I say "I'm not a runner," it's not because I want to just get it out there to lower your expectations, it's because it's an overall disclaimer. I don't run, I never have, but maybe, JUST MAYBE, one day I will.

There have been several cases over the past couple of years where I have ran into an old friend and they look like an entirely different person. They are TINY! Where did you go? What happened? What have you been doing? Surgery? Atkins? Do you need some bread? Carbs are heaven, I could never give up carbs. Then they reply "just running". Just running?? JUST running? Great. I will never ever get over this "platuea" if running is the answer. Well last summer I decided to give this "running" a whirl because all I had to do over the summer was a full-time job. Isn't that sad? When a full-time job means you're inevitably going to be bored, because you don't have class.

So a couple times a week I would go "run" Boomer Lake. Which really meant jog/walk Boomer lake. After a while it was my goal to just beat my last time each time. I was doing pretty well but had a to take a break once the temperature got up to 105 degrees, so then I just went to the pool with friends. While running, I had 2 thoughts in mind. 1) Well of course- get in shape, lose weight, bla bla and 2) Prepare myself to run in the annual Adeepi 5k in March. The mere thought of the second made me cringe. I already hate running, but running competitively? In public? I have always said "One day I will run in the Adeepi 5K", knowing all along that "one day" could be very very far away. You see, I believe in our philanthropy. Philanthropy has always been very dear to my heart. It's actually why I chose my house. We raise thousands of dollars for the Ronald McDonald House and I couldn't be more proud. I also have a million pop tabs at any given place in my home/car/purse/work because the recycling of pop tabs is a way that the Ronald McDonald House raises money.

Well last Saturday was that day. I "trained" for a couple of months at our local gym, still not able to complete the full 3.1 miles until last Tuesday. That fateful last Tuesday when I was able to maintain a pace for an entire 3.1 miles. HOLY COW! THEN on Thursday, I went back to my dear old Boomer Lake and ran the ENTIRE THING! Remember what I said? I'm NOT a Runner. I could have kissed strangers! It was amazing! At that point, I finally felt ready for the race.

Joe decided to come to the race with me, the kid cannot turn down an opportunity in the college town. We went up Friday afternoon, had a good meal (TONS OF CARBS!) and hung out. We got up early and headed to the Union. Oh muh goodness. There's TONS of people here! Look at that guy- he means business. Then I got my registration packet (I registered over a month ago). I walk over to Matt, pull out my number and it's all crinkled. Is this an omen?? Okay... it's fine. Don't freak. Then I pull out my shirt. LARGE?!? Well.... now there's a shirt I'm never going to wear. Another omen??

Okay- just chill. It's for the kids. You can finish this race. It's your first. Good way to calm down? Photo Op! So here is Joe & I a couple of minutes before the race began. Then we got lined up and waited for the gun to go off. The race began and before I knew it there were people a quarter mile ahead of me (or so it seemed!). Joe neglected me from the get go, but that was fine. I kept trying to remember "don't get excited, just keep your pace, you know you can do it." I started to notice this girl in a green shirt running next to me. I didn't know if I was going to try to pass her or if she was going to pass me. Then I realized that she was keeping the same pace as me. We had this unspoken agreement "we're going to do this together". We ran shoulder to shoulder for the entire race. I was sooo happy to have this girl running with me. She helped me keep pace the entire time.

Crossing the finish line! I did it! I beat my best time and I survived! I never stopped or walked the entire time! Success! They had over 180 runners in the race which means a lot of money raised for the Ronald McDonald house!

After the race, I walked up to the girl in the green shirt. I said, "I don't know who you are, but I like you! You helped me so much" and then she said "No, you helped me!" I? Shanna? Helped a fellow runner? No way. That girl was sent to me from heaven. HEAVEN I tell you!

Joe did GREAT! He got 5th in his age bracket and 20th overall. He beat me so he got to be number one and I was number two, ha ha. His track teacher should be very proud.

Matt even came to be supportive. He took all the great "action" shots!

I won a gift card to "Orange Leaf" so we all went and had icecream afterwards. We even got to go to the OSU vs Nebraska basketball game and we won!

Overall it was a great day and a great experience. Joe and I are thinking about doing another run this weekend!

Maybe I will be a runner afterall....

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