Running!?

I started running maybe twenty years ago. When I look back I'm not exactly sure why I started but I think it had something to do with a charity 5k run/walk my small town hosted for a young boy that had passed - it was called the Run for Randy. The first couple of years it was a family affair with my wife and kids all doing it together. Of course we walked but there were plenty of people that ran and that is when inspriration hit. Running wasn't anything I saw myself doing because honestly I didn't think I could, don't sport much of a runners body, but as I looked around I realized you didn't need to fit the description.

So I started running. It was hard and I had no idea what I was doing. After getting discouraged and ready to quit I stumbled on a program called Couch to 5k, so I figured what do I have to lose. Turned out to still be hard but it provided direction and there was improvement, and with improvement there was cofidence.

So running became a thing for me. I haven't always loved it and even stepped away from it many times because of injuries or whatever excuse got me out of it, but I always go back. Running is the only exercise that makes me feel like the reward is worth the effort - the juice is worth the squeeze.

I started to run those 5k Run for Randy races until they ended up not holding them. After that I just ran with no agenda. My goal was to run no less than two miles three times a week. Those miles varied year over year mainly based on my work schedule and travel. It is difficult to run in other cities when you don't know the area and I absolutely dislike running on a treadmill - something about running in place for miles bores the hell out of me. So for years I ran with no agenda.

Something changed about this time last year, 2024, that started to change my view of running. I decided to sign up for the Disneyland Half Marathon weekend 10k race held in January 2025. I had only run 6 miles one time in my life, and I was much younger, but I've always wanted to run a 10k. Here was my chance.

Well...I did it!! Didn't train properly and had no race management but I did it, ran all 6.2 miles. When I crossed the finish line it was exhilarating. I couldn't tell you much about running throught the parks because I was so focused on not collapsing but people tell me it was awesome. I told myself if I ever did it again I would pay more attention.

So I did. I signed up for the fall Disneyland Half Marathon weekend 10k race held the first week of September. This time I trained a lot harder and sort of had a race management plan. This time the run was easier and I was able to enjoy almost all of the time we ran in the park.

Finish Line

The park is basically open but nobody is there but staff and runners (it is after all 5am). The rides are all lit up with music playing and characters positioned around for photo opps. The staff was awesome lined up at various points all cheering on the runners - the loudest and proudest was the third-shift. It definitely keeps you going.

Additionally along the way the staff is taking pictures of the runners. In January every picture of me looked like I was going to collapse at any time. In September every picture of me had a smile because I was truly enjoying myself. That is until I hit halfway between mile three and four, but I had a plan. I pulled off to the side and down to a walk so I could get some sugar and carbs in me. I got back running and could feel the energy coming back. While I was reactive instead of proactive this was better than last time and I finished the race strong.

I only finished a little faster than I did in January but the whole experience was much better. I actually enjoyed the entire race seeing and interacting with the other runners and supporters. It was this experience that changed my view of running.

While running was just something I did to keep myself moving I wasn't really challenging myself. Joining these races has shown me that I can shoot for something. A distance, a certain pace, another race. I lost that in my running, the excitement over setting goals and reaching them. I'm reinvigorated.

How much longer can I run? I don't know but willing to find out.