Beat the Heat

I am not a natural athlete. I was always more involved in academics and the arts. I helped run my high school's creative writing club and literary magazine, took voice and piano lessons, and acted in several of my school's theater productions. I got good grades, especially in French and English, and I spent my extra time working with special needs children. I do love watching baseball, so I had the notion once to play softball. That lasted until I realized that to make the high school team, you actually needed to have played softball. Like, ever.

Another reason I never really played sports was because I was born and raised in Arizona. You may wonder why that matters. Well, I think it's a terrible idea to be outside in 120° weather. It's as simple as that. And frankly, I think that's pretty darn logical. However, it seems that not everyone shares my affinity for air conditioning. Someone even went so far as to organize a race in the middle of June in Arizona.

Despite my skepticism, I did run the 5K (I use the word "run" lightly). Originally, I laughed when I heard of the Scottsdale Beat the Heat 5K and 11K. It was scheduled for the record hottest day of the year in Phoenix, at the record hottest time of the year (in the middle of the afternoon). A good friend of mine had registered with some family members. Her family members ended up having somewhere else they needed to be and she didn't want to run alone, so I bought one of the registrations.I was coming off of two weeks rest for plantar fasciitis and shin splints, and I wasn't thrilled about the prospect of running in 112° weather. Still, I put on my Sparkle Skirt, laced up my Brooks, and took off (slowly) at 2:47pm. Because I was out of practice and still a little tender, I ended up slowing to a walk very early on.

The 5K itself was pretty much normal; it wasn't a fun run, so we just followed the course and tried not to die of heat exhaustion (I'm only exaggerating a little). What I remember most was, near the end of the course when the 5K and 11K converged, runners who were finishing the 11K would pass me and consistently encouraged me as I hobbled to the finish line. They'd say something like "Great job!" or "Keep it up!" as they flew by, and I just couldn't believe that the "real runners" would even notice me, let alone spend time and energy making me feel better. I was so touched, Of course, I understand now that this is just how runners are: we are a unique community comprised of support and understanding. I've also since stopped referring to other people as "real runners" and discounting my own progress. So what, I had to walk the whole 5K and it took me 57 minutes to finish? I'm pretty sure that's still progress.

At the finish line, they had a fire truck and sprinklers to cool down participants, and a 40-foot water slide was waiting nearby. I was definitely ready for the Sno-Cone station, too. In the end, it wasn't a great run, but, like all the others, I'm glad I did it. It's true, what they say, about never regretting a run.

Bouncing, Buddies, and Bubbles!

Walt Disney, an innovative and brilliant man, once said, "Too many people grow up. That's the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up. They forget. They don't remember what it's like to be 12 years old."

I reflect on that thought often, and in this way, I'm lucky. I've always been whimsical in nature. My husband is especially fond of that, and for his sake and mine, I hope I never lose my child-like sense of wonder and hope. 

A couple of months ago, I ran my fourth 5K - The Bubble Run. It wasn't timed and I left my Garmin at home, so I can't tell you how I did in that sense. To be honest, I really didn't care what my time was; I was too busy having fun!

I ran this one with three other friends. One of the girls is more of a walker and we all chose to stay together and enjoy the fun, so I only "ran" a little bit here and there. We spent out time talking and laughing, stealing these moments of freedom and running with them (literally!). We bounced and danced our way through bubble bogs and went through a couple of them more than once. By the end of the run we were colorful and giddy.

For me, the Bubble Run was one of the best I've done. It was so refreshing to blatantly ignore my pace and finishing time and instead focus on the element of fun. I felt like a kid again, and there's something to be said about that. I also realized that friends make running better. No matter how much you love running (or hate running), being around people you care about makes the experience even better. True friends share your fears and struggles, amplify your joy, and inspire you to to be a better person. Without them we float along, day after day, content, but complacent. 

I hope that as you read this, you're reminded of a run that had nothing to do with racing, and everything to do with having fun. I also hope you think of your friends - the ones that make make you cry uncontrollably and laugh hysterically. The ones who know you implicitly and accept you wholly. The ones who allow you to act like you're 12 years old, and rather than disown you as you do the Gangnam Style dance through a wall of bubbles, laugh mercilessly and do it along with you.

Blog Hop!

In case it isn't completely obvious, although I'm fairly certain it is, this is a very new blog. So I'm very excited to participate in my first blog hop!

This is a runDisney blog hop, so get hopping and check out all the great blogs that combine the best sport with the best brand ;)


And go check out the hostess with the mostest: Kristy from Kristy Runs Kato!
http://kristyrunskato.blogspot.com