I have enlisted four of my coworkers to do the Akron Marathon this year, as a relay team.
I'm team leader.
Last year, I did the first leg, at 3.9 miles, and was so afraid of the whole experience. I wasn't a "runner", I ran only for an extra calorie burn before my bootcamp class to lose weight. I only agreed to the relay because the team needed to replace a dropout.
But when I passed on my relay bracelet, I had wished I picked a longer leg....the excitement of a big race, does so much for you!
And I can't wait for my team to experience the excitement of race day! I know they are going to love it! Plus, I am selling it as a "team building experience" at work....so far, so good!!
One member runs casually, one works out alot, but does not run, one hasn't ran in years, one can do a 7 minute mile (our finisher) and then there is me. A mediocre runner, with not much speed, but a whole lotta spirit!!
I am taking the longest leg of the relay, at 7.5 miles. I'm not afraid of it at all. Even if it is one week before my second-ever half marathon!
I developed a spreadsheet for the team to track our weekly mileage, as a "healthy competition" to get them use to running, and hopefully make them inclined to get out and do some miles because I am sharing it with the team every Monday.
I have no expectations...your first race goal should be to finish without injury. Otherwise you will hate the entire experience. I am hoping to get a new (or more) race mate out of the whole experience!
I never in a billion years expected to enjoy running....or racing.. let alone, lead a team of newbies down my same path! But if you never push yourself, you will never know how strong you are, or what you are capable of.
Accomplishing what you thought was impossible, is the best gift you can ever give yourself!!
This is the message I want to share with everyone!
I think when all is said and done, seeing my team gather at the finish and retrieve our medals.... will be my most rewarding accomplishment to date!!
5 comments:
This is to answer your green bean question. I do eat them from my garden. I wash and snack on them raw. But mainly, I saute them up with a little olive oil, salt and fresh garlic and they are so delish!!
You know why I love reading your blog? I haven't been here forever, I think I signed in about the time you gave exassholemanfriend the boot the first time, but I have seen such awesome changes inyou. Not just your body, though that has been amazing, but your whole self. And now you're the team leader of a relay team! So cool.
And it's a great idea. I think I might try to do something simiar at work for one of our local half marathons. I mean I work at a gym, surely I can gather a few enthusiastic souls.
Hi,
This is completely unrelated but you won two tickets to the Cleveland wine Fest on my blog. Will you please email me at cleshopaholic@gmail.com so I can get you your tickets?
Thanks!!!
Good for you!
carolyn:
awesome! raw is good, but I would much rather eat them sauteed too!! mmm!!
debbie:
*squeal* why thank you! it's so exciting to have gone thru so many changes, and even more so when others are along for the ride!! I'm sure you can recruit some people at work!! go for it!!
Cle:
omg omg!! I can't believe I won!!!
Teena:
thank you!! i'm super excited!!
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