Real Runners | Chelsea Bennett

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.

If I’m not a real runner, at least I might look like one now. Somewhere in all of this I also went from running in old college t-shirts to actually wearing real running gear. I don’t know if any of this actually counts towards me being a real runner, but I ended up with a light up slap bracelet for running in the dark, a sweet sweat band visor, shoes bought more for effect than cuteness and more dri-fit clothing than you can shake a stick at. I think the shoes were a real turning point. Suddenly, it didn’t matter if they came in hot pink, I just needed them to help my legs feel better.

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 @GeauxChels

Starting the Road to 5k | Chelsea Bennett

Yesterday, I went for a run.

I'm calling it my first official training run, but it's actually the second.

The real first one was such a joke that it can hardly be counted. You see, I have an an adorable dog named Katie. She's a one-year-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi with very, very short stumpy legs. Last weekend, it was decided that my fiancee and I would take Katie on our first run. Honestly, she's pretty lazy and needs the exercise. So, we laced up and hit the levy. About ten minutes in Katie couldn't do it. She gave up, laid on the ground and completely refused to move. We had to take turns carrying her home.

So much for starting off with a big success.

Yesterday, we decided to start over. It was about seven and starting to get dark outside, which to me is always a bit depressing. I love daylight savings time and dread the dark winter evenings. All the same, we decided we would run the levy in the dark. In retrospect, this may not have been the best plan and we should probably invest in glow sticks, reflectors or something if this is going to be a normal occurrence. After we made it up the giant hill that brings you on to the levy running/bike path, I started to feel bugs running into my face. Being so close to the river right at dusk, I'm guessing this is a normal thing, but nothing prepares you for feeling like a bug is going to fly into your mouth at any second. We cranked up couch to 5k and started going. Moments after, here come some kids on skateboards almost running us over - which confirms that the glow sticks are probably a good plan. So, I've got the bugs and then the fear of skateboarders working against me, however, somehow I got past it. 

I couldn't help but be completely in love with how pretty the river was at that time of day. The horizon was seven different of colors of pink and orange all melting into the river. Last night, the cold front blew in hard, but I think the wind was blowing the hardest on the river. It was like a giant fan blowing at the perfect temperature. You could barely hear it was blowing so hard. As it got darker, we got closer to downtown. The city lights reflecting on the water were beautiful. For a minute, in between the wind, the sunset and the lights, I understood why people run. Somewhere in the one minute running bits of the training, I felt like I could run forever.

But then I came to my senses and started to feel like death was upon me.

I have no idea how to breathe when I'm running. Trust me, I've heard all there is to hear about it. I know it's a pattern. I know it's in with the nose out with the mouth. Even equipped with all of this knowledge, I feel like I'm constantly gasping for air with my chest aching in the process. If I didn't know any better, I'd think it was some weird asthma thing. I'll be real with you though, it's probably that I have no clue what I'm doing.

All the same, I considered my run mostly enjoyable - which is a huge milestone for me. Also, I'm giving myself points for actually getting off the couch to go run. I'll take any reason to celebrate that I can get.

So, one run down, seventeen more weeks to go.
General feeling: I've got this (maybe.)

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 @GeauxChels

Going From My Couch to A 5k | Chelsea Bennett

My favorite salad has fried shrimp on it. I own a FitBit to track my lack of fitness. I drank some water yesterday. I like to take the stairs, but really only on the way down. I only have one pair of tennis shoes that I bought based only on their color. Also, one time I ran pretty far from a wasp.

Somehow, all of this has made me qualified to write for this blog associated with running.

I realize that some people may be offended when their boss recommends that they would be good fit for writing a blog from the perspective of someone who despises exercise entirely, but not I. You see, I have no shame about my hate for exercise. It is just a part of who I am at this point.

However, I have come to realize that it's probably time for me to get over that. The truth is that avoiding the freshman fifteen is nothing compared to avoiding the cubicle fifteen. Also, I will not be twenty-two forever and I should probably learn how to exercise now while it is relatively easy and while I am low on excuses.

The sad thing is that I know all of the reasons why I should be running. When I was at LSU I walked over a mile to class every day. Now, I walk 1,000 steps to the parking garage. I spend the majority of my day sitting in front of a computer all day and while my job is relatively enjoyable, being still all day can really get you down. I am all for the fact that people who exercise feel better about life in general because of endorphins and all. Also, I think that having goals to accomplish for myself on my own time will really help with my mission for a solid work-life balance.

Now, I am not going to pretend that this is going to be some easy peasy challenge. As far as athletic abilities of young people go, I am a pretty sad case. For me, running around the block one time feels the same as a marathon. I don't think I've ever actually ran a full mile in my life. A 5k is basically a Chelsea Bennett marathon. I wish I could find a way to really explain to you guys how hard this is going to be for me. I sincerely dislike being uncomfortable and last time a checked, there was nothing comfortable about running. However, there are perks. For example, if I run I can eat cheese fries without guilt – and let me tell you, I am all about maximizing eating cheese fries without guilt.

The goal is for me to run a 5k. I make no promises for extraordinary times or if I'll even be able to run the whole thing. I mean, I sincerely hope I'll be able to - but at this point running just one mile without feeling like death is upon me*, let alone three, would be an absolute triumph. Mainly, to be honest, the goal is for me to train for a 5k. I want to make it possible for me to run twice a week without wanting to die every time.

So, no excuses! If the girl on the ninth floor who can barely make it down the block without wanting to pass out can do this, so can you. I'm terrified, like really terrified, but we can do it together! Here we go!


*You may think this part is dramatic, but it is honestly how running makes me feel. Don't judge.

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 @GeauxChels