If you see me out running and wave or smile, please don’t take it personally if I don’t wave back. It’s not that I’m unfriendly; I’m just concentrating on my stunning split pace (or is it spit face?) and trying not to keel over.
When my friends asked if I’d join them in running the upcoming BMO April Fool’s Run Half Marathon, naturally I thought it was a joke. “Yeah, right,” said my head. “Run for your life!” said my heart. “Maybe this is our time?” said the stick-insect legs that used to net me the dreaded purple participation ribbon at high school track and field events.
The invitation to run “the half” — as avid runners call the local 21.1km race — was last October and as my friends explained, four of us could do the relay event with each person running a little over five km in pre-set intervals.
It sounded easy enough and there was talk of celebratory beers after the race. With that carrot set, I said “sure” and “cheers” then promptly forgot about it.
Fast forward to February and I am lacing up my runners, thinking I should knock out a quick 5K run at Davis Bay, just to see how fast I am. After all, I’m in pretty good shape. Ten minutes later, about 1.5km into it I am curled up in the fetal position on a bench groaning and gasping for breath. “Runner’s cramp,” I whisper to curious passersby while clutching my side, “I’m training for a half marathon!” to add emphasis to my obvious athleticism.
Happily, that first humbling 5K led me to Google and find an easy walk-run training program and now, a little over a month later, I can comfortably run five to seven km without stopping, puking, cramping or otherwise totally embarrassing myself. Although I still find it very hard to smile.
The training ritual, I’ve realized, is as much about the mind as it is about the body and making the commitment by signing up for the April Fool’s Run has really been a game changer. I don’t want to let my relay team down, so I’m committed to running at least three times a week, while trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet. In my mind, while we’re not running the New York City Marathon, it doesn’t hurt to pretend we might.
Running, I am also discovering, makes you feel awesome, especially if you push yourself. Endorphins released during exercise attach to key receptors in the brain causing natural sensations of euphoria, a.k.a. runner’s high. Other brain chemicals thought to be stimulated to elevate a runner’s mood include serotonin, dopamine and adrenaline. Add a hot playlist and scenic Sunshine Coast surroundings and you’ve got the makings of a pretty decent party in your head and body.
The BMO April Fool’s Run Half Marathon is April 12. You can run or walk it solo, or in relay teams of two or four people. Registration details are on-line with discounted entry fees available until midnight March 23. The race will be capped at 700 entries and registration closes April 6. Visit foolsrun.com for more details.
