Sometime last Fall my friend Cassie ( you might remember her from my Sweet Clover Barn posts) posted on Facebook about running the American Odyssey Relay. She had run it in 2014 and wanted to do it again this year and was looking to put together a team of 12. Oh yeah you do need a team of 12 to run this 200 mile baby. The race starts in Gettysburg, PA early morning on May 1 and ends in DC around May 2 evening. And you do have to run it in 36 hrs. I remembered reading about her relay experience last year but went back again to read it. After reading about how one of her then team mates ran it while pregnant and how another had never ran even a 5 k in her life I was all charged up and replied to Cassie’s post saying something to the effect of, “I’m in. I’m no runner…in fact I have never run, heck I even stopped walking regularly some time around 2009. Basically no exercise the last couple of years. I need to do something drastic like this to get back on track. I hope I can do it.”
Next thing I did was pick up the phone and tell B I signed up for a 200 mile relay. I hardly take such drastic decisions without consulting with him but this one I did, as I feared that if I reconsider for even a second I’d back off. Naturally his response was “Really, you think you can do it? Do you want my opinion?” Without even pausing for me to say anything back he went on, “You won’t be able to do it!” So much for encouraging! To this day I don’t know and have never asked him if he really meant it. Having lived with me for 15 yrs he knows me better than anyone else. He knows that I work on reverse psychology. If someone tells me I can’t do something then I have to prove that person wrong. Let’s hope he was appealing to my reverse psychology side. 🙂 Anyways I started training diligently in Fall only to realize that I have flat feet (after about 2 months of training). All these 36 years I never knew I had flat feet! Of course running without taking any precautions messed up my right foot big time. Long story short I was off running for most of Winter with weekly physical therapy sessions. What do they say, all is well that ends well? Now I’m back on my feet running as much as I can. With how tight our schedules have been lately it has been tough but I try every chance I get. Am I good at running? Do I consider myself a runner now? Hell no! My best pace ever has been a 13:13 mins a mile which I haven’t been able to keep up consistently. But I’m not giving up and I won’t!
Why, you ask? Because of these awesome ladies…..my fellow teammates, my blogger friends, some of then I’ve never met in person….Cassie (Primitive & Proper), Megan (Rhapsody in Rooms), Paula (Sweet Pea), Chaney (May Richer Fuller Be), Sarah (The Thriftress), Jessica D (Dear Emmeline), Becki (Infarrantly Creative), Heather (The Heathered Nest), Karah (The Space Between), Jessica H (Pace of Me), and Alexis (Flecks of Lex). Each of them have been a huge source of inspiration, very understanding and supportive rallying everyone on the team. Special mention to our team captain Cassie and Megan who helped with organizing all the details. You know what’s even more exciting? Our team, “Bloggin’ & Joggin'” is sponsored by a great group of sponsors; Purebond, Kreg Tool, DLawless Hardware (remember my side table makeover?), Design Your Wall, Hometalk, GMC, Sweet Clover, Milestone Pond, Southern Landscapes, Modern Masters (still love my front door paint project), Rehab Associates, Annie Sloan Unfolded, HomeRight, Muscles and Lungs Crossfit Aruba, Bailey Sign, Health Warrior, Frog Tape, and SIX:02. We can do it ladies! Go #teamblogginjoggin !
I’m shit scared but am equally excited. There are a ton of what ifs going through my head every time I lace up those running shoes. Whatever it is I’m sure it going to be a fun adventure. Please do keep me your prayers that I don’t break down under all that pressure.
PS: Wish me luck please, I’m running my first 5k tomorrow, a practice run for the relay.
ha ha! i think we are all “shit scared” but it’s facing our fears as a team that make this so incredible. i promise. you are going to feel on top of the world when it is done and you can go back and tell b…. “what was that you were saying about me not being able to do it? because i rocked that”
i am so glad you said yes and didn’t let the little nagging voice in your head stop you.
Good luck to you Vidya! Inspiring!
Yay Vidya! This is going to be such an awesome experience all around. I’m so proud to call you my teammate!