Kristine Joy, Writer

Mission:

TO BE A RUNNER

Wellness Why(s):

Physical, Emotional

How It Started:

I’ve probably been asked a hundred times if I’m a runner. And their question is way ON base. I admit to looking like a runner (soccer legs). And I am often wearing apparel that implies the crazy notion through words like Triathlon, Ironman, Race and/or Run. And I am often running from random parking lot to random store due to a lack of time and/or cold weather and/or my insatiable need to be efficient.

But, an answer in the affirmative would be fraudulent. Instead, I have coined very true responses:

“The absolute only reason to complete a marathon is to finish an Ironman.”

“No, I don’t RUN triathlon. I SWIM and BIKE triathlon and then have the will to finish.”

“I have the utmost respect for runners because I am not one myself, nor do I understand the mentality.”

– Said Someone (Me) That Has Never Loved Running

You can call my bluff and I get it. Who has the ability to finish an Ironman, let alone four of them, that isn’t a “runner”? 🙋‍♀️

If you need more evidence than my subjective hand raise, you can research my Ironman times in each respective leg. Who comes out of the swim alongside some of the pros and then spends the rest of the ²/₃ of a day getting passed by 1600-2000+ athletes? Also 🙋‍♀️.

And, I once came across a cartoon that showed a runner smoking a joint with the tagline – the only time that I’ve ever experienced runner’s high! If I were someone that smoked marijuana, that cartoon would be 100% applicable.

runner’s high: a feeling of euphoria that is experienced by some individuals engaged in strenuous running and that is held to be associated with the release of endorphins by the brain

I’ve had a random itch to run over the years. Usually, said random itch resulted in a temporary mental lapse in which I signed up for an event while under the influence (which always came with a bonus day-after-hangover-of-regret followed by dread that the day of the event would actually have to happen). As such, I figured the itch would fade following the 2025 edition, which took place the day before Easter.

I completed a 10K Trail Run with my friend Kylie on April 19th. She’s a runner (!) and I honestly consider running an event with her once yearly to be annual renewal of my friendship to her (see Chapter 1 of Better to Have Tried). My training as an athlete in general, and miles upon miles of dog walking, has always been preparation enough to run alongside her for most of said event and then I get the award (that I didn’t get from my run performance) of hanging out with her before and after (she homeschools 4 kids so our time is in fact a commodity).

I have taken many A Walk in the Woods and am an outdoor enthusiast, but surprisingly, had minimal exposure to trail running. I found myself bounding merrily over tree roots, around fellow runners and being the windbreaker for Kylie to draft for a change of pace.

I couldn’t believe it and never thought I’d say this about running, but I was HAVING FUN! I had a bit of a reach time goal, given my lack of specific training, but cruised right along and crushed barely met this goal at the 10K point. The fairy tale ending turned nightmare when the 10K point wasn’t the finish line but that’s a different story.

Thankfully, the sour taste in my mouth quickly dissipated. Thank you Ted Lasso for the advice to be like a goldfish. What I remember is the feeling of freedom, dirt under my feet, sun peeking through the trees and friendship.

In past years, my itch to run was itched and gone after Kylie and I’s annual sojourn and/or completed Ironman. This year, the itch remains. I want to, emphatically, become a runner. Apparently, this is age 45. 🤷‍♀️

And the Trail Run has a repeat event on October 5th. I’m in, and I hope Kylie is with me on this because #twoisbetterthanone. And I’m optimistic that this race will end when I arrive to the advertised distance of the race.

Fool me once, shame on you.

Fool me twice, shame on me.

How It’s Going:

We live in the middle of one the steepest and longest hills in a city of 136,000 residents. There is a 3 mile loop from each own-door-to-own-door. Most of my runs have been on this loop and thus, the entire process and start of each run seems rather uphill.

5K, through the snow, barefoot and uphill both ways

My goal for May and June is to build a base such that 9-10 minute miles seem easier; both physically and mentally.

My goal for July-Sept is to work towards 7-8 minute miles.

Wellness Spreadsheet:

I track my runs here if you’d like to follow along.

Update On:

October 6th (following the October 5th event)