As I followed the coverage of this year’s Boston Marathon I was struck by the intense pride and awe I felt for the runners in the event and those cheering them on from the sidelines. Now that I have completed my first Half Marathon, and the TarHeel 10 Miler 2 weeks later, I understand what the runners go through and how important those cheers are to their success. The times that the winners ran are simply mind-boggling to me; but anyone that completes a race of that length has achieved the same level of accomplishment as the elite runners, just a little slower that’s all. Becoming a runner, um I mean trying to become a runner, at the age of 44 is not an easy task; but it is something I felt strongly that I needed try, I just wasn’t sure why or how. I knew I needed a good pair of shoes so I headed to the Fleet Feet store in Carrboro to see what they had, having no clue that by opening that door I would find so much more than just a pair shoes.
For me the races I ran began in January, on a cold Tuesday night on the track at McDougle Middle School in Carrboro 
where I met my Fleet Feet training group for the first time. Our task for that first run together was pretty simple, run a mile as fast as you can. Easy, right? Not so much for me because I had never done this before and had no idea how fast I should/could go, a concept I am still trying to grasp today. Ran we did and reported our times to our coach. When we showed up at the ridiculous hour of 7:00 am the following Saturday for our long run, in the cold and dark, we were placed into groups according to our 1 mile times. Now the coaches at Fleet Feet are a unique crew. They are funny, caring, generous, patient, and do a great job at making the concept of running hill repeats in the snow an awesome idea and tremendous fun; even though we all know it’s not, at all. With that in mind Jerry, one of the coaches, had us draw team names from a hat. Each slip of paper had a different Will Ferrell character on it and thus the “Frank the Tankers” were christened, along with our team battle cry of “We’re going Streaking!” before every run.
None of us knew when the training began that we would spend the next 12 weeks running in snow, ice, rain, and freezing temperatures. I had no idea if I would make it since I am a novice runner and every Saturday morning when we set out for our long runs at 7:00am that it would be the farthest that I had ever run before. Yes, I finished those runs, except for one due to an injury, and yes I felt an amazing sense of pride and accomplishment when done. Plus quite a bit of pain too:) Were it not for the mentors in my group: Randy, Allison, Steve, Carolyn, Michael, and Risa I know for a fact I would not have finished many of those long runs. Their encouragement was amazing and something I am not accustomed to receiving but something I learned to accept and appreciate a great deal as the weeks went on. My respect and adoration for the Fleet Feet coaches: Natalie, Jerry, and Becca, is no secret and it is shared equally with my mentors and fellow “Frank the Tankers”. After 12 weeks of sweating, running through the elements and pain, and building a strong bond we were all ready for the Rock n Roll Raleigh Half and Full Marathons.
Best part of my 1st Race.
The incredible people at Fleet Feet taught me how to run, but I still have volumes to learn before I can officially call myself a runner. If you’ve never run a 5k, 10k, Half or Full Marathon, or even a mile for that matter head straight to your local Fleet Feet and sign up for one of the many training programs they have. I promise you it will change your world for the better. I mentioned earlier that I didn’t know why I wanted to start running, I finally discovered that reason and so much more about myself pounding out the miles with my training group. I run for those who can’t. I run for the soldiers we lost defending our country, the police officer slain keeping us safe, and the firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice to save others. I run for those who cannot due to a mental or physical condition, and I run for the loved ones in my life I have lost. Running is a powerful medicine, it can bring one to soaring highs and to seemingly bottomless lows; but it always leaves me feeling proud and accomplished. I wish those feelings for everyone and applaud and admire whatever arena you find them in, for me it turned out to be running. Thank you for that gift Fleet Feet, I am forever grateful.
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