Kelly Runs

My older sister Kelly has long been an inspiration for me.   The way she runs her life as a talented accountant, mother, wife and friend has always impressed me.  Even more so is the was she can juggle it all and still find the time for herself and her health amid a busy schedule.  Most people like to make excuses for lack of time, but Kelly clearly demonstrates how to live a balanced and fulfilling life.  Its a pity that she lives in New Zealand as we don’t nearly spend enough time together.

When I found out that she was running a local 10km in Napier, New Zealand, I asked her to do a guest post for me on my blog.  Partially as I’m getting lazy myself and seem to like to post other peoples material lately, but mostly as I’m interested in her story as she selflessly ran for the joy of running and the camaraderie of her friend and training partner.  Her story is what running is all about.

Kelly, Ameila, Libby

Kelly runs……………

I have recently become interested in running and participating in running events over the past few years, since I had my two daughters (now aged 5 and 3). I started out by joining the gym after my eldest daughter was born, mainly motivated to lose baby weight. I grew to thoroughly love my “me-time” at the gym, and enjoyed watching the baby weight (and then some) come off. I went to the gym three times a week for cardio and weights, but I was fascinated by running and how it could tone and strengthen the body. I started off jogging around the block and grew to running  3-5 kms. It doesn’t sound much, but for somebody who has NEVER been very athletic, it was a big achievement. I also participated in 3 “blokes-free” triathlon series– where a 3km run was needed to complete. I did all 3 of the tri’s – not realizing I was pregnant with my second daughter during the last tri.

After my youngest daughter was born, I was back in the gym within 2 months, which was pretty good given I had a c-section. Again, my motivation was purely weight related but there was something about running that I needed to explore again. My goal was set pretty early on – a half marathon in Aug 2007. I trained for 3 months, and completed the half marathon in a very average time, but having managed to finish it was an achievement I will never ever forget.

With 2 small children, and a challenging part-time job, the luxury of having time to indulge in training was limited. I kept up 5kms runs probably 2 times a week, and started doing spin (RPM) classes at the gym twice I week. I love spin classes, and have watched my fitness, strength and toning come along in leaps and bounds. At one stage, I considered undertaking training to be a gym instructor (and this is something I am still interested in) but decided that I already had a very full plate at that point in time.

The Barrett Family

So, about 3 months ago, my good friend Nikki (who has 3 little girls – aged 6, 4 and 1) decided to take up running as she had finished feeding her baby, and wanted to get her fitness up and the all-important baby weight-loss completed. I was running my 5kms several times a week and doing spin classes so had a base fitness, and Nikki had been walking a lot. We started slowly, running in the dark at night (was winter), in the rain and cold after all our children were asleep, or early on Sunday mornings, while our husbands dozed and children watched TV in their pj’s.  I loved my running sessions, and I decided that the Napier half-marathon was coming up, and that I wanted to run the 10kms. I thought that this was a reasonably achievable goal in the time frame, and I wanted to do an event. Nikki  was non-committal from the start – she had never run that far, nor ever entered a running event. However, she trained with me, and slowly we increased our distance and pace.

A week before the event and I was wavering. I knew I could do the distance, but my husband was going out of town for the weekend (which necessitated a babysitter) and it was all falling into the too hard basket! Nikki was fabulous – I think running has sneaked its way into her blood – she decided that we were not quitters, and we would do the run and we would find a way. A babysitter was organized, the event entered and strategies determined. We did a practice run of the course, and we were determined to finish.

The day of the run dawned as perfect running conditions – overcast but mild with no wind. I had a very early start to sort out children etc and picked Nikki up from home.  We were both nervous – we both wanted to finish the distance in a respectable time, and being amateurs, we were unsure about our nutrition (we both had a light breakfast), our water intake (and the corresponding need for the toilet) and what we were wearing (neither of us had flash gear, but we didn’t want to be too hot, too cold etc ). The run started at 8.50am, and we were off. Our strategy was to start slowly, near the back, pace ourselves and pick up the pace as needed.

I felt strong throughout the race, and made sure I paced myself with Nikki. My goal was to stay with her, support her throughout the run and for us to cross the finish line together.  We made it to the halfway point just on half an hour, and we buoyed by seeing a car full of little girls (Nikki’s) waving and clapping us on. The second 5kms were tough, Nikki found it difficult as she is a night-time runner, and struggles a bit in the morning. I felt good, so made sure my pace was constant, slightly ahead of Nikki, and I encouraged her. Usually our runs consist of lots of girly gossip and laughs, but we both put heads down and went for it. The last km was tough, and the finish line was further that we thought it would be. However, we made it over, collapsed and were done. What an amazing achievement – Nikki had never run that far and we completed the run in 1 hour and six minutes, which was a little bit quicker that we had done earlier that week.

We weren’t last either – another achievement!!

Even though my competing is nowhere near in Chris’s league (I am alternatively amazed, proud and astounded by Chris’s efforts) running gives me time on my own, a strong and fit body, and allows me to become a role model for my daughters, to teach them that a fit and active life is the right choice, that competing is more important than winning and that you will get results if you stick with something.  All good life lessons I think!

Sunday afternoon bought our two families together for a celebratory bottle of bubbles and cheese and crackers in the sunshine (bliss!). After a glass of wine, conversation turned to… what is going to be our next event?

There is another 10km run coming up soon – will we do it and try for a better time?

Shall we try for a half-marathon?

Yes, we have been bitten by the running and event bug – so watch this space…