Somewhere around the third week of training, I started
running on the levy on Sunday nights. It’s a peaceful kind of run, quiet and
breezy with the fall weather just rolling it. The wind is always so intense
that close to the river. For me, it’s almost like a propeller pushing me along.
I have a distinct memory from early October of what was
probably the first “good run” of my life. Maybe it was watching the sunset on
the bank of the river turn into downtown lights reflecting on the water or the
crazy winds rolling in, but I finally started to understand why people run. I
had a rhythm and didn’t need to stop. I discovered a breathing pattern and
everything synced
For the first time, I felt unbelievably powerful - and I
loved it.
I’ve got about nine weeks of training under my belt, which
is crazy to even think about, and I’m still not sure if I count as a real
runner yet. My training consists of running 45 seconds and walking 15 seconds,
endlessly and excruciatingly, four days a week. Accurate or not, I don’t think
I’ll actually call myself a runner until I’m running a full 5k without stopping
Even though I won’t actually call myself a runner, I feel
like I’ve pretty much earned the right to. Sometime around week 7, I was having
a lot of problems with shin splints. I was stretching, icing, buying new shoes
and googling solutions endlessly. Nothing worked. On a regular after work run,
I decided I was probably doing more damage than good and quit with a quarter of
the route left to go. I’m proud to say that that is the only time in this
journey that I’ve quit. I followed up that quitting with five days off, along
with some serious ice time and came back even stronger. I still constantly have
to tell myself things like: “You are hurting, you aren’t going to die.” or
“Your legs aren’t giving out, you are quitting.”, but at least now I know those
things are true.
I think I’ve finally got some real runner inspiration, too.
During our Team DHH and Team DOA Louisiana Marathon BBQ, I had the privilege of
hearing Jenni Peters speak. Jenni Peters started the Baton Rouge running shop
and institution Varsity Sports, which is home to some of the most intense,
nationally competitive running groups in the area. In my mind, Varsity was
started by someone who loved running from day one, which was probably the day
they left the womb. As it turns out, Jenni was almost exactly my age when she
ran her first 5k. She had never run a day in her life and really only went to
hang out with her friends. Now, she’s transformed into a respected running
guru, competing in Olympic trials and owning three running stores in Louisiana.
Hearing her story had an unbelievable effect on me. All of a sudden, running
wasn’t something reserved for the always-athletic. It could be mine too. I
wasn’t late to the game, I was right on time - and if she could do it, so could
I.
About a week after hearing Jenni’s story, I decided I’ll be
running the Louisiana Marathon Half in January 2016. How’s that for a plot
twist?
There are ten weeks left until race day with the real
runners. All of a sudden I don’t care only about making it through the race, I
want a great time too. That’s got to be the best thing about this journey – the
mental transformation. Nine weeks ago, I couldn’t run down the block. Now, I
feel like the real runners and I aren’t that different at all. With ten weeks to
go, all of those real runners better keep up, because I’m not sure anyone wants
it as bad as I do now.
Chelsea Bennett
DHH Public Relations Specialist
Chelsea is a 22 year-old, taking on the challenge of the 2015 Louisiana Marathon Advocate 5k. A lover of all things southern, she is an LSU grad, completely infatuated with the sweet Louisiana life and everything quintessentially “Baton Rouge.” Find her by the pralines or follow Chelsea on Twitter @GeauxChelsDHH Public Relations Specialist
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