I don’t have a runner’s body. Not that I have to in order to run. But it was never more evident than when I went to go pick up my bib and race packet for tomorrow’s 5K. The other participants who were picking up their race bibs seemed to be built like greyhounds. Sleek and lean and all arms and legs. It looked like the fat had been carved off of them. I wanted to offer them some of mine. I’m generous that way.
Olympic swimmer and medalist Nathan Adrian said in an article that his body was not made for running. It made me think – what is my body made for? Are somersaults a sport? Because I’m good at the stop, drop and roll thing. I’m built low to the ground and I can scrunch up like a roly poly/pill bug and just roll around and around with the best of them.
Maybe gymnastics. But I’m way too old now, not to mention earthbound. I don’t like my body leaving the ground unless I’m on a flight to Europe.
Am I prepared for the 5K tomorrow? Not exactly. I still can’t run longer than two miles without stopping – and that’s on a flat course. Yesterday, one of my friends sent me an article about how running might be harmful to your heart. Thanks! Just what I needed to motivate myself! I’m sure she means well, but I’m not going to respond. I want to stay positive, not think about my heart giving out on me.
However, if I don’t write about the 5K in the next few days…it means that I’m still on a runner’s high and can’t sit down long enough to post to my blog. See? Thinking positively! Watch out greyhounds – this roly poly will be right on your tails!
jane in training 
…stop, drop and roll? hey, you’re built for survival!…you should ask marcia about the variety of body types she saw running in the l.a. marathon; she (as was i) was amazed by how many supposed non-runner body-types were finishing with really good times…
…have fun and remember the race is only between you and yourself (and make sure you stretch and cool down afterwards)…
…oh, just remembered: my good friend ted (vicky’s cousin) is also built “low to the ground” but he used to be a long-distance runner on the high school team and ran in several l.a. marathons in his 30’s and early 40’s; then he got married, had a kid and stopped doing any exercising…but, more importantly, he’s a prime example of how body-type is not necessarily a determining factor in running well …
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Okay, so I have my plan: run the 5K, never run a marathon, consider marriage, be kid-free, continue to do somersaults. All so I can keep my girlish, post-gymnastics figure. I’ll just say I was an alternate in the 1980 Olympics (no one will suspect).
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