By |

My name is Kathy.

It has been three months since my last road race.

AirBrush_20170806153622

I have a million excuses. Three months of excessive transatlantic travel. Three months of reunions and events and work all with my tiny tot in tow. I’m tired. I’m not motivated. It’s hot in Florida. Blah Blah Blah rough life just do it already!

images-1 copy

Florida. 8am on a Saturday.

The night before a race, I start to wake up every hour after about 3am. I get anxious about little things like missing my alarm, forgetting to pick up the race packet, is my Ipod charged? Will these panties chafe? Is my GOOD sports bra clean? Do my shorts have a pocket for my keys? Where are my keys? How much wine did I really drink last night? Then I do the countdown: “if I wake up at 5am I can have 2 cups of coffee, a glass of water and be able to flush it all out before I get in the car.”  Then an hour later, “if I use the Keurig, bring a travel mug, drive 20mph over the speed limit and tinkle in the bushes, I can sleep until 7:15am….

When I look in the mirror to pull my hair into my very unglamorous pony tail I focus on the giant bags under my eyes and the trail of yesterdays wine err mascara down my face and think,

“this is ridiculous.”

images-5

Today was no exception.

The race itself was at a popular park for road races. I’d completed several there before and was familiar with the out-and-back along a man-made lake. Very pretty. Mostly flat. Paved road. No cars. Chip timed, actual bathrooms and two water stations. All necessary for a very fast, easy and enjoyable race. And it was.

AirBrush_20170812105110

My time was horrible. I’m not sure what I expected considering my daily runs had turned into thrice weekly jogs, the occasional paddle board and a power walk through the mall. Did I think I was suddenly going to set a state park record?

In the time before the start, I stretched. I don’t do it often or enough but I know as I approach 40 like a Mercedes on the autoban, my body needs more and more prep work. I found a quiet spot away from the crowd on a little hill to bend and twist. I noticed a few ladies make their way down to my grassy knoll and join me. Before I knew it, I was leading some sort of dysfuntional tutu wearing “i run for wine” cheering soccer mom yoga class. Kill me.

A group of very ripped cross fit ladies passed by and looked me up and down like I was loosening up for a 5k hostel takeover. Little did they know I was legitimatly afraid my thighs would cramp up at the sound of the gun and last night’s sushi would make a guest appearance by mile 2.

images

Road Race Rule #1:

Don’t judge others. Don’t worry about what people think of you. Don’t do crossfit. (ok, kidding. but really don’t.)

A few hundred people lined up, the gun went off and before I knew it we were at the half way turn around point. I was in the middle of the running pack, a comfortable place for me to be. But then things got interesting. First, as we made the U-turn, we now faced the sun. A blaring hot Florida in August sun. The kind of sun that makes you question your life choices. The kind of sun that will horrify your dermatologist and change your makeup base from “creamy beige” to “Punishment For Past Sins.”

Race Rule #2:

Wear sunscreen. Pack aloe. Lips can burn, too.

Thankfully I was preoccupied with the 9 year old kid that kept passing me like Buzz Lightyear then WALKING RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME.

Road Race Rule #3:

WALKERS TO THE RIGHT!

None of that ultimately matters. What matters is doing it.

images-1

I need to reestablish my commitment to running road races at least once a month. I need to reestablish my commitment to pushing my body farther, harder, faster. I need to reestablish my commitment to encouraging YOU to join me in our endeavor to be the best versions of ourselves. (That’s way too new-agey-touchy-feely for me but Oprah said it and I can’t get it out of my head.)

I’m out of excuses. I need to get back to running consistently and with conviction. I can’t talk about physical muscle if i’ve gone soft or spiritual muscle if I’m not putting in the time to pray and reflect. We’re running to win! There’s no time to over think it, over analyze it. There are plenty of reasons NOT to do something but when has that made you better, healthier, happier?

I kept the sushi down. So can you.

images-3

Until next week.

Run to win.

AirBrush_20170812104910-1

Advertisements

By |

3 races, 3 states, 40 hours. MS/AL/LA

Louisiana — 8:30am on a Sunday

My flight left New Orleans Sunday at 10:45 AM. The race was 20 minutes away and started at 8:30am. I knew three things. First, I needed to RUN LIKE THE WIND. Second, a photograph was going to be the only proof I would have since my New Orleans tour lasted 7 seconds and third I was confident i’d make it since my weekend partner in crime said,

“I’ll keep the car running. You can launch yourself in.”

While trying to figure out the perfect proof-of-life err race photograph, I was captivated by two boys warming up for the run. They were laughing. Playing. Skipping. They were buds.

20160306_081739-1-1.jpg

The highlights of the race for me was experiencing – albeit briefly – the magnificent blending of cultures that makes New Orleans unique. French architecture adorned with graceful southern porches, the smell of cajun cooking wafting from cuban cafes, bodegas selling fried catfish and African masks. And these kids. During a disconcerting time when we’re hearing so much hate and negativity being spewed from pundits as well as pulpits, my time in the deep south defied stereotypes and provided a nice reprieve from the man-made discontent in the news.

Screenshot_2016-03-06-22-25-02-1.png

On the plane home I sat next to my new bud Raj. (he took the amazing photos above and below this weekend in New Orleans. @4cefed). We come from different backgrounds and have taken different paths that crossed on this day in this city adding to the uniqueness of the New Orleans experience. I loved my deep south adventure. I managed to avoid injury and alligators. I met really interesting people and heard incredible stories of triumph through adversity. And I ran some races.

Screenshot_2016-03-06-22-25-56-1.png

Revive. Rebuild. Renew. Run to win.

Screenshot_2016-03-07-08-22-50-1.png

3 races, 3 states, 40 hours. Folks, don’t try this at home. I’m propelled to run and raise awareness about Parkinsons disease. I’m a little narcissistic, a little masochistic and now I’m a professional insomniac with an addiction to aspercreme and 80s theme runs. But I’m running to win.

AirBrush_20160306224654.jpg

12-14 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. Philippians 3:12-14