By: Susan Mikitka
I was a late onset athlete. I was always the kid in school
who was picked last for every team, and who struggled through the President’s
Physical Fitness test each year. Because
I had absolutely zero natural physical talent, I never contemplated attempting
anything other than random aerobics classes, weightlifting and some cycling. They were fun activities, but nothing that
lit a fire in me.
Fast forward many years. I had a set of twins, who had been
born three months prematurely, (one of whom had cerebral palsy) and all the
stressors that went along with that. I
still was not at all athletic, working out sporadically in an attempt to keep
my weight in check. Then I was asked to
set up and direct a 5K in connection with our town’s annual festival, and I was
astonished. “Why me? I wouldn’t run if
my tail were on fire!” (Yes, I’m southern.). But after much research, we were
able to put on a successful, if small, race.
On race day, I was amazed.
Everyone seemed to be having so much fun! How could running be fun?! The running I
remembered from my school days was painful, horrible, drudgery. What was I missing? For three years I watched these runners get
out and have a fabulous time running our little race, and I was inspired.
Then I turned 40, and I needed a reboot, so I decided to try
a couch to 5K program. Running was just
like I remembered it … hard. But I kept
trying, and was progressively able to run a little more each time before having
to walk. I still remember the day I was
able to run 20 minutes without stopping.
I was so excited and proud of myself!
Then a friend who had dabbled in shorter distance races convinced me to
join her for my first sprint distance triathlon. That ultimately led to a 10k, and then a half
marathon, and another, and another. So
was I now an athlete? Was I a real runner? I’d done all these races, but I was
slow, and I struggled with that. I told
myself I was only in competition with myself, but I’m competitive enough that
being a back of the packer was a mental struggle. Was there a threshold to becoming a “real
runner?”
Regardless of these thoughts, I began to see the effect my
running was having on my family. My
typically developing daughter started wanting to run when she got to high
school, and did several 5ks with me.
Like her mom, she is not a natural athlete, but she had learned
discipline and determination from watching me, and got out there and got the
job done. A few years later she ran her
first half marathon on the same day that I ran my first full marathon. I hated not being at the finish line when she
crossed (my BRF had that privilege), but to see her there when I finished,
knowing what she too had accomplished that day, was amazing.
During this time, our family had become involved with
Ainsley’s Angels of America, an organization that promotes inclusion of persons
with disabilities in endurance events. I
began running with my daughter who has CP in local races, and truly enjoyed the
opportunity to share the experience of running with both of my girls. One of the highlights was on their 21st
birthday, when we traveled to Savannah to participate in the Rock ‘n’ Roll
half marathon, and the three of us ran together as a team. We had the most incredible experience, and
have run together as a team in many races since.
So does it matter that I’m not fast? Does that make me less
of an athlete, less of a runner? I don’t
think so. What matters is I have the
fortitude and discipline to do the training, I am taking positive steps for my
health and longevity, and I am setting a positive example for my girls and others
around me. Even better, I am able to
share something I love with both of my girls.
Just because something doesn’t come easy is not an excuse not to put
forth the effort to try. Had I not
stepped out of my comfort zone, I would have missed out on so many amazing
friendships, and so many incredible experiences. Running has taught me so many lessons, chief
of which is to never underestimate what you are capable of. You might just surprise yourself.
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