Running Milestones Captured

This topic came up recently - well today - in the Running Club I belong to. A topic that honestly I had not thought about until this very moment. I believe what brought it about was this article: Marathon Bumble Bee. Several of the people in the Running Club feel as though we've been left out. We never get mentioned or wrote about. So here I am writing about us. 

Now, I've not considered having my name in the papers. I'm not that fast. I haven't broken any records or won for my age group or anything like that. All the running milestones I have captured have been personal, as I write this I realize that is the way it is for nearly every runner I know. Tech. Sgt. Stacia Zachary had her reasons too. It was her first marathon and anyone crazy enough to sign up for 26.2 most likely has about 26.2 million reasons why. She did a great thing and raised a lot of money.

However, she has a few things in common with several if not ALL of the members of our Running Club - the only thing difference that stands out to me is that she is active duty. That doesn't mean that we do not have active duty members in our club, we do, but most of us are military spouses. 

What does she have in common with us:

• She's a military spouse too.
• She's a mom.
• She has a full time job.
• She has the heart & desire to run.
• Her husband was deployed while she trained and ran the Edinburgh marathon.

Now, it sounds like I'm talking about Stacia vs our Running Club, but I'm talking about both. Why? Because I do not wish to dim the light on Stacia's accomplishment. She has done what several of us within the Running Club have also done, she just got her name in the paper. Something I didn't even think about doing. I wonder if she even thought about that when she started out on her journey? 

While I think it would be wonderful for our Running Club & it's members to be recognized from time to time my reasoning for that is simply to advertise the Club...not to gain 15 minutes of fame. When I set out on a run or sign up for a race my thoughts are centered more on: 

• inspiring my mom & family
• finishing
• get a new personal record "beat the clock"
• don't get injured
• have fun
• smile for the camera
• don't choke on your water
• encourage other runners
• refueling
• keep putting one foot in front of the other
• turn the mental negatives to positives
• to see something amazing!

Honestly, the only people I can see signing up for a race & thinking "I'm gonna get my name in lights" are those going for the Olympic medals and honey, I ain't that good! 

Thing is recognition is important and not just in running. How many times do you buy a new top, new perfume or get a new hair do and simply wait to see if your spouse notices and compliments you? We all do it and in many aspects of our life. Why would it be any different with running? We are proud of our abilities and accomplishments. We want to share them and having someone tell you what a great job you did, is just the icing on the cake. 

Our Running Club has a Facebook page and we encourage, compliment, advise, arrange transportation to events, list upcoming races and so much more. Together we've been able to learn a lot and through that learning accomplish things perhaps we never thought possible or even considered attempting before. Because of this Club many of us have become runners, better runners, stronger runners, more confident runners and most of all brave runners. Every time we lace up our shoes and head out the door, we are putting one brave foot in front of the other, because that is the hardest step...putting yourself out there. 

So while we may not be famous or get our name up in lights I know many of us deserve a certain amount of recognition and therefore I've decided to interview those within the Club that will allow me and give them a special shout out here on my little blog. Who knows who will read it and who cares. What I have found with blogging is, I do it for me and every once in a while a certain post hits a specific person and that person is the reason I wrote it because on that day they needed whatever it was I said. That is why we share stories and therefore the main reason in which I wish to share with you the stories & highlights of the most amazing group of runners I know. 

I hope you'll stop back by & check out their stories as they unfold.