Chirky: Every Accomplishment Begins With The Decision To Try

Roger and Me Running Our First 5k I strapped on my timing chip and pinned the number 74 on my shirt. It's a little amazing how that chip and number made me feel like a real runner, like maybe I was that girl whose shorts had slits up to her armpits. I strutted outside and joined my prancing group. We were conveniently positioned in the back of the crowd so that the faster runners wouldn't have to bother trying to get around us. The horn sounded and I began to follow hordes of bodies moving down the street.

I ran, and I ran, and I walked, and I ran. I ran a longer distance for a longer period of time than I've ever run in my life. I decided halfway through the race that if I came across the finish line last, I wouldn't be disappointed. I couldn't possibly be disappointed. Because the point was that I finished.

Every time I went around a corner, I secretly hoped it would be the last. Every time my foot pounded the pavement, I wished it was already crossing the finish line. I made little goals for myself: Just make it to that crack in the road; Just pass that red car; Just stay in front of those women walking; Just start running again once you get to the stop sign. And when I made that mark, whatever it was, I would set a new goal for myself. Sometimes I would surprise myself by starting to run again before I met my next goal.

When the finish line was finally in sight, something happened. It was like I hadn't been running at all, like I wasn't completely worn out, as if I had just been out on a short, leisurely walk. The entire race, Roger was beside me cheering me along. I began sprinting, tearing down the road for the last fifty yards. I couldn't help but wonder whether I could have maintained that pace for a longer period of time, or if perhaps I should have begun that tempo earlier in the race.

In the end, I didn't finish last, but almost. I was number 132 out of 141, and I would have been 133 had Roger not hung back a bit so I could step across the finish line first. But the point is: I finished. And I couldn't be more proud.

Comments

Go Jes! You ROCK! That is an awesome accomplishment and who cares what order you came in. I'm not just saying that, I really agree with you that it's seeing it through that matters.

I do this hike every year here in Vancouver. There's a mountain here called Grouse Mountain, it's a small mountain, but a mountain nonetheless. You can hike up the mountain on a trail called the Grouse Grind - very aptly named! Locals affectionately call it Mother Nature's Stairmaster, and it is honestly the toughest hike I can imagine. Many locals here - MANY - do this hike several times a week during the summer months and they're really hard core and time themselves. I try to do the hike once every 3 weeks during the summer months. I do set time goals, but they're really modest. I try to do it in about an hour and 15 minutes, which is challenging but realistic for me.

Most people who hike it regularly do it in under an hour, and the really fit ones do it in 45 minutes or less. Every time I tell someone I did the Grind, they inevitably respond with, "what was your time?" I always know what my time was, but I don't tell them. I always say, "Oh I don't time myself. I just do it for the workout, and I'm proud of myself for making it to the top." And I am. It burns the same 600 calories no matter what speed I do it, and it feels great to get to the top and say I just climbed a mountain.

Posted by: Laura | October 9, 2007 05:00 PM

WHOOOOOO!

I'm high-fiving you. From my office. Hmmm, maybe this doesn't work so well over the internet. Anyway, WAY TO GO!

Posted by: Daily Tragedies | October 9, 2007 05:09 PM

YAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!! I'll admit I've been checking Bloglines specifically to see how the running is going and I'm SOOOO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!

Go Jess!!!!!!!

Posted by: Karen Rani | October 9, 2007 06:23 PM

Awww, and we're proud of you, too!! Congratulations! That's quite an accomplishment!

Posted by: Chiada | October 9, 2007 06:39 PM

Congratulations! Being hopeless at running but trying my best anyway, I know how hard it is to pull something like that off.

Putting yourself out there like that is pretty difficult but the payoff after success is enormous. GOOD JOB.

Posted by: Loralee | October 9, 2007 07:07 PM

congratulations! what a fantastic accomplishment! i probably would've stopped at the first ice cream stand i saw. ha.

Posted by: mcgee | October 9, 2007 07:07 PM

Jes, you are AWESOME. I'm so proud of you. :)

Posted by: whoorl | October 9, 2007 07:29 PM

I'm so proud! And I don't even know you. But SO PROUD!

You've made me remember that feeling with pride also. Also, made me want to get back to running.

Way to go!

Posted by: Courtney | October 9, 2007 08:13 PM

YAY! Awesome! That's quite an accomplishment.

Posted by: Tartine | October 9, 2007 08:22 PM

So proud of you!!!!

That is awesome! I would have been last, and they'd have taken down the finish line and everyone would have gone home when I crossed!

:-)

Posted by: Jayleigh | October 9, 2007 09:59 PM

You are my new role model. Go, Jes.

Posted by: Sueb0b | October 9, 2007 10:54 PM

Virtual high five! Way to prance!

Posted by: -R- | October 9, 2007 10:55 PM

Way to go! I`m beaming with pride, and I don`t even know you that well :)

Posted by: Angella | October 10, 2007 05:29 AM

Yay, Jes! I'm proud of you, too. Finishing is the point, and YOU DID IT!

Posted by: Lia | October 10, 2007 06:57 AM

Good for you!! Congratulations!

Posted by: Mrs. M | October 10, 2007 07:30 AM

Huurraay

who cares about the number? I am so proud =)

Posted by: PrEtTY iN tHE CiTY | October 10, 2007 08:17 AM

I am so proud of you Jes. That is a huge accomplishment! You are an amazing woman! I know that God is going to use this accomplishment to show you so much more that you can do!

Posted by: Anonymous | October 10, 2007 08:34 AM

Hey there girl, ya done good. I am mostly a non-runner (muscles willing, knees not so much) but would like to congratulate you on doing something that scares you. Those are usually the best/most rewarding things for us, don't you find?as the song said; Some dance, some prance.....

Cheers!

Posted by: maya | October 10, 2007 08:51 AM

Congrats! The title of your post speaks volumes. So accurate! And you're right, finishing is the goal. I'm training for a marathon and there are days that I think about shooting for a specific time goal, but I have to keep reminding myself that finishing it will be a huge accomplishment. Beyond that, I can decide on further races and improving times.

Posted by: Jill - GlossyVeneer | October 10, 2007 10:18 AM

Yay! Good for you! Prancing is paying off. :)

Posted by: Claire | October 10, 2007 10:39 AM

Yay Jes! Woo hoo! You SHOULD be proud, that is an awesome accomplishment.

Posted by: Elizabeth | October 10, 2007 11:04 AM

Just the inspiration I needed for tonights run-fest at the gym. Yay, Jes!

Posted by: Heather B. | October 10, 2007 11:52 AM

I am so proud of you! You go girl!

Posted by: Julie | October 10, 2007 01:30 PM

The only place I run is to the fridge and Sonic. That's awesome, you rock rock rock! And good for Roger "the Bearded One" for being a supportive husband.

I'm still having trouble with the first phrase, "I strapped on," and at that point I stopped and giggled.

~Jef

Posted by: Edge | October 10, 2007 01:38 PM

!!!!!!!!!!! That's awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats on finishing! I am super proud of you!

Posted by: Courtney | October 10, 2007 07:03 PM

That's so great! And they get easier. Well, I've never *run* one, but the one's that I've walked, they get shorter every time. So I imagine that running them would be like that.

I'm so jealous of your athletic prowess!

Posted by: Anonymous | October 11, 2007 09:45 AM

Congratulations! I'm running my third 5k this weekend. I completely understand setting those goals in your head. Also, I typically have some dumb mantra in my head that keeps me going and gives me rhythm. I completely recommend it.

By the way, I saw your hair on Whoorl in you have GORGEOUS hair! I also have dark curly hair (it's short now) and I can understand the pains of trying to straighten it. GOOD LUCK!

Posted by: andrea_frets | October 11, 2007 12:47 PM

Congrats! That is pretty fantastic. Also, Roger sounds so absolutely sweet. It always makes me feel all mushy when I hear of something someone does for their partner that shows they care like that.

Posted by: Giselle | October 11, 2007 09:21 PM

Jes, I feel the EXACT same way when I'm running - and I did the exact same thing when I saw the finish line. That renewed burst of energy is so cool! I'm really proud of you - looking forward to jogging the Turkey Trot with you next month!

Posted by: Nicolle | October 12, 2007 06:14 PM

Yaaaaaaay Jes!!!

That's so awesome. I'm very proud!

Posted by: Schnozz | October 13, 2007 02:52 AM

How exciting! You accomplished that goal so quickly! I'm so proud of you and happy for you.

Yay yay yay!!!

Posted by: my life is brilliant | October 13, 2007 11:12 AM

Awesome! Now, how far was this? Did you leave out that miniscule detail?

Posted by: eddeaux | October 18, 2007 10:43 PM

It is an accomplishment no matter what and you finished the line so you should be proud of yourself. Congrats from a fellow runner!

Posted by: Melinda | October 22, 2007 02:25 PM

Incredible stuff!! I am so excited for you. And I love that Roger let you finish first!