Working Wives & Bachelorettes: Releasing my Inner Kenyan

It’s Pittsburgh Marathon weekend! And I am embracing my inner Kenyan. I am going to be surrounded by thousands of runners – which, running is their life! Running is not my life. I’m doing this to support a good cause, and “It Seemed Like a Good Idea” at the time when talking with friends.

I’m running the relay – not the half, not the full. I give props to those who are. I’m running one small section in support of the Animal Rescue League.

But, I am going to try and release my inner Kenyan. My goal is to finish my section without walking, successfully find my teammates at the exchange zones, not get lost when migrating back to the finish line, and to not be the last person trucking along.

I’ve done a little less than “decent” training for this event. I won’t run if there is inclement weather, or if it’s too cold, or too hot. Really, any excuse I could find to get out of a day of practice, I used. I did successfully run 5 miles the other day in an hour, which for me is outstanding, because I can’t honestly say I ever ran 5 consecutive miles in my life – even when I ran track in high school.

I’m hoping the “race day high” everyone talks about will allow me to find my inner Kenyan, and run like the wind! I will be smiling when I see my friends cheering me on as I cross the West End Bridge and on to Carson Street. I will make this fun.

It has been a stressful, long, busy week at work (I have bitten off every nail I have). But this weekend will bring new successes, will be shared with friends, and in the end, I will feel like I have accomplished something. I may not have run the entire marathon myself, but I AM part of a team that completed all 26.2 miles.

So if by chance you are down watching on the route on race day, or even flying by me as you work to complete your full or half, just yell at me to release my inner Kenyan.