As a young girl and a teenager, athletics wasn’t something that interested me. I played outside with my friends, but it was limited to bike riding and drawing chalk figures on the sidewalk. The opportunity to play organized sports were limitless, but I never signed up for softball, basketball or tennis. In order to earn my physical education credit in high school, I became the tennis manager, organizing tennis matches and scheduling team meets. In two semesters as a tennis manager, I remember using the tennis racket once or twice to balance my books, not to lob tennis balls. In college and graduate school, participating in athletic activities wasn’t a top priority. I was busy reading and writing and studying to earn those paper degrees. I only watched sports on the television, catching football and basketball games on the weekend.
I came to the art of running late. In reality, running wasn’t something I thought I would enjoy. My husband was a cross country runner in high school and encouraged me to run when I complained that I wasn’t losing enough weight on the elliptical and treadmill. When I started running, I couldn’t even run half a mile without losing my breath. The first year I started to run, it was really a fast walk and jog. My run looked like a mall walker. With time, my runs improved, my cardiovascular strength increased and my legs started feeling stronger.
After four years of consistent running, I decided with a friend, that I would try a half-marathon. My goal wasn’t to compete for time or pace, but to finish. Once I crossed the line, I realized even though I was running as an adult, I was also running for the girl who always got picked last for sports in school, the girl who was scared of the volleyball hitting her in the face, and the girl who always had her head in the books.
So 13. 1 means many things to me. It means I am healthy enough to run. It means I can set a goal and accomplish it. It means being inspired by other runners, especially the one who ran with a leg prothestic.
It means I am alive.
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A special thanks to my husband who encouraged me to believe that I could run even when I didn’t think it was possible. Thanks to Keri, my runner friend in Phoenix and Kristen, my runner friend from Philadelphia. I appreciate all of the words of support and encouragement from family and friends. Thanks so much.
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
Way to go Rudri!!! That’s a huge accomplishment!!! Keep on running!
Awesome! Congratulations!
I used to run, then got hurt, and only recently have started my mall-walking-like run again. I, too, to the walk/jog these days. It looks pitiful, but makes me feel good. And I guess that’s what matters?? 😉 I’d love to do 13.1 again (am not delusional – do not see another 26.2 in me)… we’ll see!
That’s awesome! Good for you, Rudri! Such a great accomplishment. I can’t wait to hear about training for your first full.
I still don’t consider myself a runner, even after doing two halves and two fulls! Gearing up for my first half in four years this February. Ack!
Woohoo! Good for you, Rudri! That’s an amazing accomplishment. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Running is the only sport I’ve ever gravitated toward, too. I know how much hard work goes into training for a half, and I am so happy for you!
So, when’s your next one?? That question is sort of like, “Congrats on your new baby! When are you having another?” isn’t it? I’m wishing your quads lots of rest! =>
Running has never interested me. It’s tough. Instead, I power walk. I’m at jogging pace with my power walk. I can walk for hours. I can only run for a little bit before my legs say enough. LOL. Congratulations! That is an accomplishment!
Go you! Congratulations!
Nice job and great triumphant photo there! Congratulations. You’re inspiring me to start running again…
You go, Rudri! This is awesome. I think accomplishing feats like this has big emotional impacts on us as we are older. It’s a good feeling to achieve things you didn’t know were possible. I used to run when I was younger…I miss that natural high I’d get. I’d love to run again but I don’t know if my hips could take it these days. Kudos to you on a job well done!
Whoa!! Way to go!!! I’m up to 5 miles and I feel like a superhero…13.1 is amazing!
Wow! I’m so impressed and admiring. My husband is a runner, but I’ve never found the runner in me. 13.1 miles is a huge accomplishment. Congrats!
Congrats! I’ve been a runner my whole life, but have only fallen in love with it the last five years or so. Now I don’t miss a day (well, hardly) and I know it helps me outlook (and health) considerably!
Congrats! It is wonderful when you can love it and it is good for you.
Congrats! Very impressive. And I just love your last line.
Congrats Rudri! I don’t think I could ever be a runner myself, but I’m always in awe of those who are.
Thanks Justine! I didn’t start out as a runner and use to be in awe like you of people running. Once you start, you can’t stop.
Congrats on your half marathon! Great achievement!
Congratulations! That’s a great accomplishment. I laughed at the tennis manager part because I did the same thing in high school to get out of PE! Haha!