Family Tree

03/09/09 - Track

Off to the track last night for our workout. I felt really tired and whiny getting started (oh yes, I think I complained about at least 3 different ailments). Warm-up was hard, the workout was hard, but about halfway through, I started finding some inspiration.

After our warm up of 3 laps, stretching, and a mile of tempo (100 X 200 X 300 X 200), we started in with 800 sprints. That's two laps around the track, or half a mile. I'm still having trouble getting air these days, lasting effects of pneumonia I guess. About 400 into the drills, I start wheezing, and wishing I was done. I'm perfectly alright with pushing my body beyond its limits, I love the feeling of giving it everything, but when I couldn't get enough air, I started to panic and lose all focus.

Luckily, our next set was some 400's, and it was then that I started talking about my family. My sister Norah was a speed demon sprinter in high school, and if my memory serves me correctly, this was one of her races, the 400m dash. As I recalled her flying by me in the stands when I was just about 10 years old, I realized that I haven't had a run yet where I didn't mention someone in my family. My father, the guy that's so quick he can hit the light switch and get into bed before the lights go out! He used to head to the track when he was younger, sprinting the straight-aways and walking the turns to boost up his speed. He ran with my siblings and I during our trainings as children, and always tried to race us to the finish at the end. My brother, as fast and light as a hummingbird. I constantly look to him when I'm running to call upon his lightness and speed, dreaming that those qualities will magically manifest themselves within me, but knowing that he has a special gift that will remain his alone. And of course, my big sis, the track super star.... It wasn't until I did that 400, that I realized I had really strong roots in running, it didn't occur to me that I also might have what it takes to be a success in this sport.

Our next set was some 200 sprints. All of a sudden, with my family on my side, I was a runner in my own right. I jammed those 200's, and was actually up for more when I finished. It hit me, that although running is really hard for me, although I don't have a typical runner's body and I carry around enough weight to last me through an arctic winter, I am built to be strong. I can handle this short burst of quick speed without any pain. My hope, is that over time, I can extend those shorter distances to longer ones, and feel comfortable pushing it over a few miles. If all my training can't get me there, then maybe my genetics can!