Running for self esteem and life happiness

June of 2008 began a new perspective for me. I was vacationing with family in Hawaii when my favorite sister in-law suggested I go running with her. I love to hike, and was in fairly good shape so I quickly obliged. Each morning we ran a 5 mile trip from our hotel down a road that followed the beautiful blue Hawaiian ocean.

When I returned home I was hooked. I spent 4-5 days a week running running roads in states across the country as I travel for business. I decided to put my running to the test, and completed a 12 week training program by renowned running coach, Hal Higdon. I was ready to run my first half marathon.

The 13.1 mile City Of Angels Half Marathon race went from Griffith Park to downtown Los Angeles. On my own account I unfortunately missed the shuttle to the start line on race morning, and was forced to make a decision, either turn back and not participate, or run 3 miles to the Start line. Being that I came to race and do not consider myself a quitter, I ran to the start line. This meant that I am now running a 16.1 mile race, not the 13 miles I had trained for. I knew that I must re-strategize my thinking, adjust accordingly and basically, suck it up.

When I arrived at the start line, everyone was gone. The race volunteers had already left for the finish line, the racers were down the road and out of sight, and there was just one race official breaking down the trussing on the start line. He saw me and I anxiously said, "Am I too late?" He answered, "No, just cross the line so that your electronic tag registers that you are in the race." I did just that, and he pulled the electronic cable up right after I passed. I was literally the LAST runner in the race. He ran next to me momentarily informing me that I was the LAST runner in the race, and not to feel pressured, but just have fun. Yea, okay, no pressure, there's just 6, 210 people ahead of me.

I shed a few tears as it took me about a mile to catch up with the last of the pack. My tears were that of relief, after all, I had to run just to get to the start line. I proved to myself that I wanted to be there, and I was going to commit and complete this race no matter what. I decided to count each person that I passed and feel good about the fact that I was no longer last. I lost count at one hundred and kept going.

The race was a challenge for me. It was to date the longest I've ever run in my thirty nine and a half years- 16.1 miles. Although it was difficult, it reminded me of why I love running.

To run long distance you must be dedicated and focused on completing your miles every week, setting goals and accomplishing them. When you're running it's only you and your body out there on the streets. There is no one to help you complete the task. You are dependent only on you. It teaches a type of self motivation that comes from within. The kind of self reliance that is only learned through doing something challenging.

I began last on that morning, but I passed 3,233 people along my journey. Down the golf course trails, along the freeway bicycle paths, over the bridge and to the top of the city views, completing the task that I signed up for downtown with thousands of people cheering us on.

My only question now is....when is the next race? See you there.