Amy's Running Story - Part II

Hi, everyone!

In Part I of my running story, I explained how I became entirely turned off to running after series of unfortunate athletic experiences and had an on-and-off relationship with the Rec Center at my university.  If you missed that post, you can read it here.

I went through a couple more stages of working out at the Rec, but it never really stuck until Tory and I became workout buddies last January.  It was my first semester of grad school, and Tory and I were in the same German class that met on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  We decided to go to the Rec together most days after class.

Tory had just started training for a half marathon (again, you can read her running story beginning here), so I started doing the Super Circuit and jogging with her.  I had considered joining the same training program and running the half, but I took too long with my decision, and all of the registration spots filled up.  I followed her training schedule for a while, but she was soon doing 4, 5, 6 mile days, and I wasn't able to keep up at that point.  It didn't matter though, because Tory was helping me get into the habit of running.

It was also great having a new girlfriend who I could talk to about relationships, school, etc.  I've never told Tory this, but she was always someone I admired for both her German skills and her style, so I loved that we finally became friends.  Tory is also a Weight Watchers leader, so I could talk to her about my weight struggles, as well as nutrition, which helped as I tried to figure out how to eat like someone who runs.

Tory nearing the finish line of the half marathon!

Cheering Tory on at the half marathon and watching all the runners was really inspiring.  There were so many normal looking people going out and running!  I started considering running the half marathon the following year, but - baby steps - first I joined Tory in signing up for The Color Run taking place in Omaha in July.  I also signed Jesse up, and together we started training.

Jesse and I ran three times per week throughout the hottest months of the year.  We ran all through our month-long trip to visit my family in Wisconsin.  It was rough sometimes, because Jesse and I had different ideas about how to train, when to push and when to go easy, but eventually we fell into a rhythm that worked for both of us.  Most days we would go somewhere from 2 to 4 miles.  Our longest walk/run was 6 miles on a train along the Fox River in Green Bay.  By the end we were sick of moving our legs, but we were so proud.

The Color Run was in the middle of July and the high that day was 100 or so degrees.  Our goal was to run the entire 3.1 miles, but we had to adjust for the heat.  We didn't run the whole thing, but in the end I could say that I participated in a 5K, which is not something I would have predicted for myself when I was younger.  I would never have imagined that in a few years I would be willingly training for a run.

Tory and I after the Color Run

And Jesse and I

And a close-up of my green hair!

Near the end of August, Tory invited Jesse and I to Oklahoma to participate in a  hash.  What is a hash, you ask?  In a hash, the runners (the hounds) try to catch the leader (the hare) by following a trail of flour left by the hare.  Drinking is usually involved, which is a perk for many runners.  At the end of the hash, all the runners gather, sing rowdy songs, and "punish" those who made infractions on the trail.  Infractions include not marking a bad trail and wearing a race shirt to a hash.  Once a runner has participated in five hashes, they are covered in flour by their fellow runners and named, usually something funny and inappropriate.

My first hash was a mixed experience.  The beginning was exciting, as I had never hashed before and it was all so new.  Then we had to travel across a lake in order to follow the hare, which was also exciting, because I had never been in a canoe before.

Looking across the lake as some decide to swim

Waiting to cross the lake

Tory and I in the canoe!

Then things got interesting, because Tory, Jesse, and I had lost sight of all the other hares while trying to paddle across the lake, and we became almost hopelessly lost.  I soon became sick of running, and I wondered why I had gotten myself into this situation.  Finally though we found the other hares, and then things felt a little better.  At one point near the end I even had enough energy to start running again, partly fueled by the desire to not be last.  Then, as we crossed the finish line, it started pouring, and I was happy to go back to Tory's parent's place and dry off and have some food.

The next day we ran a hang over hash.  I was a little worried, since my legs were already sore from the day before, but this run was shorter and there were fewer people, so it was more relaxed.  I still didn't finish last, which was nice, though I am sure I will someday.

Another highlight of this trip, which was my first time going to Oklahoma: I saw an armadillo!  Unfortunately, it was roadkill.

Tory graduated in May and was now working full time.  We still met up to run during the end of summer, but as the school year started, I was more or less on my own.  It was tough, and still is, trying to get into a workout routine, but I still tried to keep running a couple times per week...

Stay tuned for Part III - the conclusion of my running story.