Denise …thank you for missing me!…and getting my lazy butt here to post! My running has been going good. I have been doing all of my runs throughout the week and though they are hard…they are never as hard as they are on Tuesday nights at Fight Club. Why? Who the hell knows…but that’s the way it is. Last night at Fight Club my body took a beating. A few good hits to the stomach is what it felt like for most of my run. My spirit might have felt a good beating too…that is if it wasn’t as strong as it is. So it’s 1 for FC and 1 for ME. We will call it a tie fight.
I made sure that I stood right in front of the leader last night, so that I could hear all that was said. I surely didn’t want to make the same mistake as I did last week! Luckily Fran the leader yelled loud enough for everyone to hear..almost screaming actually.. ( hmmm, maybe she reads my blog!?) ” Ok…everyone….Step 2- the ADVANCED group…I REPEAT the advanced group form over here. Let’s not make the mistake that some did last week and go with the wrong group!” As she laughed her ass off giggled…in a polite, very friendly way. I think she made it sound like there were actually OTHERS who might have made that stupid embarrassing mistake other than myself…though I know nobody else did.
I was sure to pick out the PERFECT group. The group that consisted of the other women who I saw getting out of breath from the pre-warm up STRETCHING! Yes…I am most definetly in the right group this week. As we took off on our walk, I walked next to a super sweet black girl wearing spandex pants, who gave my huge ass a run for it’s money. Ok..it MUST be hard for this girl to run too ! I feel your pain Sista! I could possibly be drinking as I write this post.It seemed these girls had the same coach last week..”Marty”. Marty says as we are doing our warm up walk…I will leave it up to you guys if you want to do an extra run or TWO like last week. I laugh and throw out a line to see his response, so I can tell if he was joking or not. ” I don’t think we should deviate from the plan…we don’t want to get into trouble.” With not even a smirk he looks at me and says…” we won’t get into trouble!” ummmmm…..hmmmm……ok….shit, he wasn’t joking!
So before I get into the fun part of the run, let me say that I have learned yet ANOTHER lesson of Fight Club. It could possibly be the best lesson yet…..for my spirit. No matter what….ALWAYS wait and join the LAST group.!!
So we are off and running. In my head I try to review super quickly the lessons I have learned from previous weeks. 1.) Don’t LEAD the group. 2.) Don’t start out to quick. 3.) Go at my own pace towards the back of the group. Ok….check, check and f*ckin check…I’m going to rock this run. !! It isn’t but 59 seconds 5-9 minutes into the run when the rest of the group starts pulling away from me at a quick pace. Wow….that ass girl can run! <<< ( remember I could possibly be sipping on a Harpoon I.P.A as I write this! Jamoosh will understand. ) ok…no problem, just hold YOUR pace..slow and steady. Hmmmmm……who are these people passing me?? Oh….just the group that was BEHIND us…and then the group BEHIND them…….and bla bla bla bla bla. Long post…cut a little short. = I’m the LAST person of ALL the groups running….nice.
Fran the leader, runs back to run the rest of the way with me. I still have about a half mile to go as the rest of the club is back at base. I tell Fran, that though I appreciate her running with me, I don’t want to hold the rest of the club up. ( We had guest speakers who were going to show us how to stretch after our run. ) She said ” they are grown ups ..they can go on without us.” ………..well OBVIOUSLY I was the star of the party, because the whole group was waiting on ME to arrive. Ha! How SWEET ! …….with every Fight Club, I can’t help but wonder……..
“WHAT THE HELL AM I THINKING…actually saying out loud ……I’M DOING THE PHILLY 1/2 ???!!”
Rock on with yer bad self girl! Keep it up – the important thing is that you finished and you continue to learn. I’m sending Philly a message right now: watch out!
You did it and that’s what counts!! Jamoosh sent a message and I hear Philly is expecting you 🙂 Keepin’ on girl!
it’s about time!! 🙂
you know, all that matters is that you show up there every week. do you realize how many people are too insecure to even do that? who cares if you’re in the back, you’re out there doing it. each week will make you stronger!
Are you doing the Rock n Roll half or the half marathon the day of the full in November? I gotta know so I can find you and make sure you cross that finish line smiling!!
You are such a runner after my own heart! I am so slow! But I do think the fun is in the challenging of ourselves and there aren’t too many sports where that is simply what you do; not concern yourself too much with anyone else, the goal is simply to finish and “Last” is still a place!
Dang we would be great running partners! I want to join Fight Club. You will do really well in the Philly Half.
AM SO PROUD MISSY OF YOU.AT LEAST YOU FINISHED WHAT YOU STARTED .INSTEAD OF QUITING.KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK .PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT .LOVE YOU BUNCHES AND BUNCHES XOXOXOXOXOXOX LOVE MOM AND DAD
P.S YOU LOOK GREAT IN THAT PICTURE .SEE YOU CAN MAKE IT .BUT YOU LOOK TIRED FROM THE RUN .THANK GOODNESS.SOME OF YOUR FRIENDS WERE AT THE FINISH LINE.TO HELP YOU.LOL
Hi Holly,
On MY journey from fat dyke to luscious lesbian, I discovered a passion for running. Last June (’09), I began training for my first half marathon in Dec in Las Vegas. After 3 agonizing months of training in the desert heat (Palm Springs, CA), I developed Achilles tendonitis. I won’t lie — I was devastated. Completely and utterly devastated (my partner will account to that!). I became angry, bitter and depressed. Running was no longer something I wanted to do, it was something I NEEDED to do. The doctor ordered rest, ice and physical therapy. After a 3 month hiatus, I began to run again – 5 minutes at a time. I literally had to start over. After a few months, my long run was up to 9 miles. I was over the top ecstatic and ready to sign up again for a half marathon (my A/T injury made it impossible for me to run in Vegas in Dec). But once again, the Achilles tendonitis reared its ugly head. And once again, I was forced to take off a few months to allow the tendon to heal. I began running again last month. It’s been brutal. My long run is 3 miles. And I have to fight for EVERY mile. Makes me wonder how I ever ran 9 miles. When I read your blog, I feel your pain. Without a doubt, running is the hardest thing I’ve ever required of my body. But through running, I have discovered a deeper strength than I ever imagined. I implore you to keep at it. I know what it feels like to gasp for air. I sometimes think I’m going to collapse in the middle of the street and die. I give up at least 2 or 3 times during EVERY run, but I never stop putting one foot in front of the other. I don’t know if I’ll ever be a distance runner (my injury threshhold seems to be at the 8-9 mile mark), but I’m never going to stop trying. And I hope that you don’t either. YOU INSPIRE ME. Stay the course, my friend. Complete your journey. I’m rooting for both of us! Perhaps our paths will cross one day and we can run together. Best, Marianne
Marianne-
Such a nice response!! Thanks so much for taking the time to tell me about your story. Hearing stories like yours are what keeps me motivated to keep pushing forward…reminding me that this IS possible!! Thanks again!!