A New Year…and a new opportunity to start 2012 with a fresh, healthy perspective. That’s just what Karen is doing as she prepares for the 2nd Annual Charleston Marathon on Saturday, January 14th.
Last year, I shared a story about two credit union employees who raced together and shared their personal insights about the race. This year, I wanted to share Karen’s story and her two reasons for participating in this race:
I am not a great runner. I’m not particularly fast. I’m what you call a masters runner. A nice way to say I’m old. And I’m not particularly lanky like the beautiful gazelle-like runners who seem to ice skate over the ground. I never ran in high school or college. In fact, I never ran in my life until 2010. That was the first year I participated in a 5k located at the Noisette Navy Yard. This year will mark my third 5k there, and with every passing year I find myself with different running goals.
The first race, in 2010, was to simply walk the 5k at what was then called the Riverfront Race (there was no marathon at that time). I froze my tush off, but I completed the race.
The second time I arrived at Noisette, it was the inaugural Charleston Marathon and my goal was more pure: To set a 5k personal record.
This year I’m returning to the race to discipline my body, and more importantly my mind, for a number of other races leading up to the Chicago Marathon in October. There are so many 5ks in the area, why would I return to this one? Let’s be honest: It’s in the dead of winter, and the views really aren’t all that spectacular. Plus, when I finish it’ll still be way too early to enjoy the shrimp and grits or beer afterward (those goodies aren’t served until the marathoners start coming in). So the question remains, what keeps me coming back to this one?
First, I embrace what running does for the mind and the body. I’ve come to respect, almost revere, the sheer discipline it takes to run. To show up for this race undoubtedly showcases that discipline. This is not a balmy April morning on Seabrook. This is grit. When you think grit, you may think swinging on ropes falling into mud pits. You know of which event I speak. Nor is this a quick in and out plunge in the icy Atlantic, albeit that event is for a great, great cause. Like I said, this particular race takes some grit and that alone makes me proud to be part of it.
Second, the Charleston Marathon supports the arts for our youth which, if you know even a little bit about the advantages of art for young people, you can understand how important this is to our community. I will argue that being involved in the arts parallels quite nicely to the mental, emotional and spiritual journeys people experience when running. Studies continually prove that children who have the opportunity to delve into the arts win more academic awards and score higher on college entrance exams. These children are more curious thus, more engaged in their learning. They are more likely to be open-ended thinkers making for better, well rounded problem solvers. I’m thinking we need more of these people.
Charleston Marathon T-Shirt Pic
It is because of these reasons that I will set my alarm for an ungodly hour on January 14th, lace up my running shoes, kiss my husband and son goodbye, whip out my credit card to scrape frost off my windshield, and drive away in the dark to toe the line at Noisette for my third time.
