Thursday, October 19, 2006

She's going the distance


Awhile back (because that's how we measure time around here, by saying something was "awhile ago") I signed up for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's Race for the Cure in Baltimore. The idea being that I would force myself to become a disciplined runner, racking up about 2 to 3 miles (or more if the knees allowed) every two or three days.

Yeah. As if that happened.

Instead I sporadically put myself through the paces about once every two weeks. Maybe running my 1-1/2 mile course around the neighborhood or hitting one of my favorite local parks for 2 miles. I wasn't exactly faithful in my workouts. Or any form of exercise for that matter.

Now, in two days, I do the deed. This Saturday is the 5k...and I'm freaking out.

Why the freak out? I'm not ready. This 5k is going to kick my ass up one side of Key Highway and down the other. I've already decided that I'll just be happy to finish running and given myself permission (especially if the knees are screaming at me) to walk when I need to. I'm afraid I'm going to make a fool of myself. Make that an even bigger fool of myself than when I slipped off the curb yesterday in my new heels and landed on one of my coworkers cars. Yeah, I'm sure security got a good laugh out of that surveillence video.

I'm also disappointed in myself. It wasn't supposed to be like this. I was supposed to be disciplined. In shape. A lean, mean running machine. Instead I'm still carrying extra poundage and wondering if it's possible for me to at least finish before the walkers start 45 minutes after we do. That would shame me to no end if some walkers finised before me. Oi.

In the end though it's about the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Fighting a disease that kills with little rhyme or reason. I'm lucky in that no one in my family has been forced to deal with it, but my godmother died of cervical cancer before her 50th birthday. And numerous others in my family have perished because of other forms of cancer. It's time to bring it to an end. Now.

And just maybe figure out a way to find my motivation again.

*PS - if you would like to contribute to my pledges, click on the link above and search for my name, Wendy Staley under the participants page.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Good luck! And who cares if you have to walk? I usually come in dead last when I race! The important thing is that you are doing it and doing it for a great cause. You'll do great!