Flashback to one year ago. My then-16-year-old daughter and fitness nut, Brianna, thought it would be cool if we would run together in the Coaches vs. Cancer 5k Run/Walk for some daddy-daughter time and a chance to support the DeChellis family members, who have become friends over the years.
I said, “5K, huh? That’s like a little over three miles, right? Yeah, I can do that. No problem. I used to run cross-country in high school.” So I tell my daughter to try to keep up with me. (After all, I could still whoop her in a game of one-on-one basketball.) As it turns out, she was shooting for below 22 minutes (I wasn’t even thinking in those terms).
So off we went from the start at the IM building, and I felt terrific as we headed down Curtin Road. Suddenly I felt a little queasy and could feel my back and hamstrings tightening up. It was then I remembered why I stopped running cross-country as a teenager: It was the most mentally and physically grueling activity I had experienced in my life!
Flashback to 1975. In my first high school CC race at Valley High School in New Kensington, I make the fatal tactical mistake of jumping out to the front of the pack. I became the “rabbit” without even realizing it. I let my adrenaline get the best of me, and I rushed out to the lead. I finished dead last! Lesson learned, I thought. Wrong!
Back to 2009. I made it to about the half-mile mark and Brianna was way out ahead of me. (Way to stay with your dad, sweetheart!) I know it says Run/Walk, but there was no way I was going to wimp out and walk, right?
Wrong! I got down Porter Road, and as I was making the turn toward Hastings Road I had to stop and stretch, as my body was now in full rebellion. As I was being passed by young kids and other adults I knew I needed to “suck it up” and jump back in the fray.
So I started back on the course and headed up a long hill and crossed over University Drive onto Hastings just south of the Ice Rink. After a quick stop to use the ice rink facilities, I rejoined the race bound and determined to RUN and not walk!
As I passed the old Creamery Building I knew I was close to the finish line at the IM Building. So I decided to “pick up the pace” and sprint it in toward the finish.
Yeah, that worked! The closer I got, the more my body went into shock. As I finally passed the finish line to the heckling of my daughter, I started to feel like I was in a straight jacket. All my back and leg muscles tightened at once. The pain was excruciating.
Suddenly it donned on me why I had decided to participate in the first place. My pain was nothing compared to what cancer patients go through. I realized that a lot of people were out volunteering to assist the runners and to help collect the registration forms and to support this great cause.
A smile came to my face as Coach Ed DeChellis came over to give me grief. There was such a feeling of achievement and caring and togetherness. I had survived the 5K!
How the heck do people run marathons?
Back to the present. This Saturday, I will attempt to do a little better as the 2010 5K Run/Walk will take place. I encourage you to consider joining in the “fun” or supporting the CVC with a pledge or donation. If nothing else, come on by to support the runners and to heckle the Old Coaches who may run (or walk)!
For more information go to: https://www.runwalkjog.com/cvc5k.htm
