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Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now

On Sunday, March 25, 2007 I joined 24,000 runners in a 4.96 mile race known as the Shamrock Shuffle. It was my first major running event in well over a decade. I wasn’t running to compete with anyone but myself of course. After a couple of months of training (and pain), I woke up on a beautiful Sunday morning and braved the downtown streets to run my race. It was like one big block party…the free beer ticket attached to my bib number should have clued me in as to what to expect. I promptly gave it to one of the friendly racers I met at the starting line. It was madness, it was exhilirating, it was a warm, sunny day in the Chi-town…and it took me about a week to recover.

There were bands playing and the racers were cheering and screaming at every turn. People were on the side lines ringing cow bells (my mom, husband and two girlfriends being amongst the bell ringers and screamers) and music was playing throughout the whole course. My husband and I came up with a nice running mix for me to put in my shuffle…a little house, a little R&B, a little bit of gospel, and of course…The Rocky Theme. I felt like I was in a bull run (not that I have ever participated in one). It was so crowded with runners that people were zig zagging, running on the sidewalk, and kicking each other without knowing it (I had the skid marks on my shins to prove it). But most of all, it was a really great time. My goal of preparing for the half marathon had started with my first race and I was loving every minute of it. I had a stopwatch on so that I wouldn’t run too fast, but the bull run image made me feel like I was running to survive. I ran much faster than I expected and the last stretch towards the finish line, I let out a groan (yes, out loud) and this guy came along side of me and said “You got it? Are you going to be alright?” I said “yeah, I got it” and proceeded to sprint into the finish. Had it not been for this guy, I may have passed out at the end…I think I was too tired to say thanks, but hopefully he understood. I made it across the finish in my own personal record time.

Later on that day, I talked with my 4 1/2 year old niece, Niara, who absolutely loves to run. I told her I ran in a race. She replied, “You did? Did you win?” I replied, “No, but I did very good.” She said (with the sweetest voice)…”well at least you tried hard.” She was right, I tried hard. While I didn’t win (the first place woman finished in 27 minutes or so), I ran my own personal best and finished somewhere in the middle of 24,000 finishers. I thought that was winning enough for me. All those weeks of running, cross training and pressing through had paid off. Who says that exercising can’t be fun and rewarding at the same time? The verdict is in and I am officially hooked again on running…my first love in sports. Later on after the race, my husband had asked me if I remembered what song was playing in my ipod shuffle at the end. I didn’t remember at the time, but as I went back through the song list, it came to me….”Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.” It was the perfect song to run the last stretch of the race. When I crossed that finish line, I felt empowered to do whatever I set my mind to. My legs were sore and I was limping a bit, but I felt the adrenaline rush of just completing a major goal. This was just the beginning. Now, after some much needed rest, it is time to get back to training again. There are many more miles to cover and more races to “try hard” in…and there Ain’t No Stoppin’ Me Now. Next major stop, the Chicago Half Marathon, anyone want to join me?

© 2007 DahGurl.