This is a bit of a personal post, but I think you will find this pretty interesting...
My Outlook Calendar says on July 26, 2009, I had an appointment with Xena at 7AM in Central Park, 90th Street Park Entrance. This will be the first time I will be running outside for more than 1.7 miles.
At this point, I had sort of revamped my life, I had been running on a treadmill and had taken up indoor cycling. On the treadmill, I could run 4 miles at 9 minute pace. Yet outdoors, it was another story. I had never left the comforts of the Lower Loop, and doing anything with “real runners” scared the crap out of me. People that looked like me (ie: Cotton Ts) were in the Lower Loop. People in fancy running clothes took "the right turn" and disappeared into real runner world part of the Park.
So when Xena had graciously invited me to run with her friends, I declined, saying, “I’ll do what I can do, and if I see you, great.” I just didn’t see myself running with her fast, "runner" friends, who all seem to be part of some running team/club. Besides, getting up at 6AM to go up to the Park for a 7AM meeting sounded awful. I don't even get up that early on a weekday!
But eventually I got up and decided to give this "real running" a shot. Back then, I didn’t have any running rituals or nutty habits that I have now, so naturally, by the time I got in to the Park and up the familiar Lower Loop, I had to POOP. BIG TROUBLE. I don’t know where the washrooms are! I dash for the structure with the stage thinking perhaps there are facilities there. But to my horror, there aren't any. I see some Park attendants and beg them in near tears to let me use the washroom in their office. They first say no, and that I have to go down and use the Boat House. I nearly start crying, I say, "I don't know where this 'Boat House' is...." and I offer $20. They reluctantly let me use the facility, and declined my $20. My 36 year old dignity saved - sort of.
Anyways. Feeling better, I follow the runner traffic up this giant hill. Is this the Cat Hill Xena told me about? I can’t make it all the way up, so I walked it up. I keep on going and a few minutes later, I see a pink sports bra. OMG!! XENA!!!!! I stop. There are bunch of male runners with her. This must be Xena’s harem. One of them makes my inner sirens go off. I’m introduced to all of them, but I only retain one name. Chris. LOL. Chris says my shoes are crap. For real Queen? I just spent $120 on these shiny NIKE SHOX. He tells me to go to Jack Rabbit. I’m slightly insulted, but I nod and smile.
The "real runners" are going to be doing a "loop", and they really want me to come with them. I told them I can't run more than 4 miles, so they say they will run with me until the "4 Mile turn". I'm scared, but I tag along. I already pooped, so I should be OK. They promise to go slow. Xena says we’re doing 9:45, almost 10 minute pace. That I can handle...but by the time we exit Lower Loop on the West Drive, I can’t go anymore. I have a bitchin’ stitch because I just can’t keep up with them going up some of the biggest hills I have ever seen in my life. Chris says I should do some funky moves to get rid of the stitch, but I really just can’t move. I barely manage the first hill and as I see another giant hill approaching, I tell them to leave me to die. I just couldn’t keep up and I didn’t want to hold them back.
As they leave me, I’m a little bit relieved.
When they left me, they told me to make a right where “everybody else is turning” or else I would be doing much more than the 4 miles I could do. So I keep on following “everybody else”. To my horror, I am climbing some near vertical hill that goes on and on! After a brief downhill, another one that goes on and on!! I have no idea where I am, so I have no choice but to keep on walking/moving. I don’t know if turning back would be better or keep on going. I just know that this is way more than the 4 miles I thought I was running. I want to quit, but I don't know where to exit.
I recall a Park exit where I had met up with Xena, so I decide to keep on going. Eventually I get my stitch to go away and I’m back on the flats. It seemed like HOURS, but I see Xena and her harem again! I share my horror story about the hills, but they seem unimpressed. Guess it’s like a bunny hill to them! HMPH.
Anyways, they are doing more loops of something called Bridle, and I told them I’m super done. I sluggishly run/walk/crawl back to my entry point (57th/7th). Xena said I must have ran like 7 miles total that day. (But I really didn't "run" it all, you know. )
1 month later, I went to Jack Rabbit. I bought new shoes and saw a flyer for a beginner’s running class “open house”. I was intrigued, so I went to the open house. Oh, and this is where I first encoutered Cesar. I ended up signing up for a beginner’s running class! My husband thought I was losing my mind, paying some one to teach me "how to run".
I met my first coach, Jené through this running class. I officially met my first and favorite running partner, Cesar. The class was hard, but a lot of fun. By November of that year, I had recorded a 8:00/mile 4M race. That was our "graduation" race. I still remember Coach Jené saying “GO MIKI!!!” as I turned the corner on 72nd Street transverse, headed towards the finish. In fact, I hear her voice every time I turn that corner in a race. Coach Jené made me the runner I am today, but the funny thing is, I owe it to Capt. Chris for making fun of my Nike shoes, I guess.
3 years later, this weekend, I will be running a 17 mile long run. And I will remember to poop before I leave the house. (it's a PTSD thing)
