Pacing Myself
I ran cross country in high school. I never accomplished anything of note in that space. But the experience did underscore my appreciation for distance running.
This served me well during my Army days in that I consistently attained the maximum score on the running portion of our Physical Training (PT) test. During my Armor Officer’s Basic Course, I was also able to attain the maximum scores on the push up and sit up portions of the test as well. This made me one of 12 guys in a class of about 80 to do so. This feat earned me a pat on the back from my instructor and a coach class ticket to Airborne School.
Airborne School is where the Army teaches otherwise rational people how to jump out of perfectly functioning airplanes, which is an unnatural act. That three-week odyssey is another tale for another time.
After my Army days I continued running and participated in multiple Atlanta Peachtree Road Races. I also threw in at least a couple Austin American Statesman 10K’s which provided me with a good excuse to hang out in Texas for a bit with my buddy Mike.
Then a serious knee injury knocked me off stride. Specifically, I tore my left Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in a pick-up basketball game. This required surgical repair. And for the past 24 years this old injury has served as a convenient excuse for me not to get out of my easy chair and carry on with my previous running ways. Or, one could say that I had just been pacing myself.
A Triggering Mechanism
In early September of 2023, I received an email that got my attention. It was an announcement that the DeKalb Police Athletic League (PAL) would be hosting a 5K Run/Walk a few weeks hence. This induced some internal questions:
Did I have enough lead time to get these old bones in good enough shape to cover the 3.1 mile distance without keeling over?
Did I even want to?
I reckoned that The Police Athletic League was a worthy cause. My office had previously allocated some of my discretionary funds to support the activities of the organization. This 5K provided me with the opportunity to underscore my support and start running again.
I don’t mind admitting to my training regimen in preparation was uneven and proceeded in fits and starts. Candidly, I almost said to heck with it. But I rationalized that I had already been supportive of the PAL. Therefore, me sweating it out by participating in the event was not necessary.
But as self-motivation, the refrain from my Army days kept ringing in my ear: “Just suck it up and drive on”. So, on October 28, 2023, I ran in the PAL Pumpkin Run/Walk 5K. My time over that distance was not remotely close to what I used run as 25 year old Army officer, or as an 18 year old high school student. But I did manage to cover the distance without keeling over or pulling any muscles, and I have the t-shirt to prove it.
Love Run
In the wake of completing that mission I didn’t want another 24 years to pass before doing it again. Fortunately, that opportunity presented itself this past weekend as I participated in the 10th Annual Love Run 5K hosted by District Attorney Sherry Boston. The event commemorates Teen Violence Awareness month with all proceeds benefiting the Women’s Resource Center to end Domestic violence. This is certainly a worthy cause.
My training regimen kicked off in earnest on New Years Day and went a little better than my previous effort. There were many mornings spent on the South Peachtree Creek Trail in temperatures that ranged from 26 to 61 degrees. I particularly like the section of the trail between Medlock Park and Mason Mill Park and that entire wonderful trail gets plenty of use.
The event launched from downtown Decatur. It was well organized and well executed and I really enjoyed the fellowship among the organizers, volunteers and event participants. My run time still did not rival that of my Army or high school days. In fact, I have come to realize that those days are long gone. Even so, I had a good time, and I have the t-shirt to prove it.
A Good Cause
Domestic violence is a very serious issue. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one in three of all women are subject to domestic violence at some point in their life. I find this to be very disturbing.
Therefore, I applaud the Women’s Resource Center for the heroic work they are engaged in. During my time in office, I was honored to support their efforts with my discretionary funding. I even had the opportunity to visit the safe house, which was a very eye-opening experience. I commend the organization’s leadership team. And I commend my friend DA Sherry Boston for hosting such a great event over the past 10 years and for raising awareness about this critical issue. Running in the 5K to underscore my support was indeed a privilege.
The Next Run?
Now that I have got myself into something approximating a running rhythm again what’s next? Perhaps more 5K’s. Perhaps another Peachtree Road Race. Perhaps something more… Then again, perhaps I shouldn’t go crazy and just pace myself for awhile
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