As a child I have vivid memories of the dreaded
physical fitness test in gym class (yes, they still have this). Each year was the same, the pushups and sit ups went
fine, I excelled at the v-sit, the shuttle run was my favorite and I could even
dangle on the pull up bar for a while. As the class gleefully made it through
one circuit after another, our excitement was short lived as we all knew what
was coming: the timed mile. As soon as the words escaped the gym teacher’s
mouth I was plotting, scamming and scheming in my mind trying to figure out any
way to be absent next class. I would have rather been anywhere than that track
engaging in my “pre race” ritual of lacing up my sneaker and slouching my neon
socks perfectly over my stirrup pants.
Clearly I survived the torment of the gym as a child and
today, I am training for my first marathon. I got over the dreaded timed mile
somewhere in college when I would catch myself setting out for a jog around
finals week or before a beach vacation. I would even get a few trail runs in
during August where you could find relief from the heat under the dense pine trees of the park.
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| 2010 Team Teagan volunteers |
When my friend and co-worker began training for a half
marathon with
Team in Training, I noticed. I guess it never occurred to me
that you could be running for a purpose or for fun. Listening to her talk about group
runs, getting in hill and speed work and finding a new hobby was inspiring. Because she's awesome and is an overachiever, she took up the extremely ambitious task
of appointing herself race director in an effort to help a local family with an
ailing child.
Team Teagan’s Annual 5K Benefit Run was born.
On June 30th, 2007 I completed my first 5K in
support of Teagan, her family and the noble efforts of my fabulous friend. From that
point on, I was hooked. Watching more experienced runners toe the line in their
race day duds and snazzy sneakers would have been reason enough for me to jump
on the bandwagon, but the support of the community and fabulous volunteers
rallying around one family was amazing– I figured those crazy running people must
have been a bunch of good eggs. I've continued to run in and volunteer at the race each year and they've proven me right.
