Anytime a friend would tell me they were running a race, I could not help but wonder why in the world would anybody want to willingly put themselves through that pain? And second, why would they have a smile on their face while telling me about their intention? I admit I was clueless to the attraction! I had no concept of what could possibly drive a person to run.
Then it happened.
The curiosity sunk in a little too deep and combined with the proper timing of a challenge from a friend, I was registering for my very first 5K.
I was feeling pretty good about the challenge and decided that I would get to the bottom of this mystery.
The day of the race and I'm now questioning what I had done.
I should be in bed right now! Who gets up at 6:00 am in the morning and meets up with hundreds of other supposedly like-minded people to parade around the city in what must be pure misery? That's it, I had done it.
I was convinced I had lost my mind.
We bunched over to the starting line and waited for the shooting of the gun to occur.
My goose bumps were the first thing on my mind followed by what I was sure would be my imminent death.
The shot rang loud and we began to shuffle our feet.
I was embarrassed to be there and I didn't even know why.
My ego disagreeing with my actions, I ran faster.
I was in it until the end and the faster I ran, the faster I could get on with my day.
Three quarters through my mind said WALK! And so I did, for just a few steps until my body said RUN! And so I did.
The battle continued with my body winning and not allowing my mind to say walk until we ran over the finish line.
They clocked us in and we wound around a line until we were given our race stats.
3rd place in my division, I could not believe it! So that's why people do this! I felt the accomplishment flourish through my veins, my head held just a little higher, my calves flexed just a little stronger, and my medal flashing around my neck.
I understand now why smiles spark when an announcement of a race is declared.
The achievement, regardless of whether a medal is won or not, unearths itself deep within and the runner realizes that their body is a magnificent tool not to be taken for granted.
They have the ability and the drive to make their life better through deciding not to take an easier route.
They push past the physical to develop the mental and succeed in the process.