There are a lot of reasons I run at night. First there’s the Lowcountry heat and humidity that can still be brutal even at 11:00 at night in the summer. Then there’s the fact that I’m really self-conscious about my body still. I did just recently drop below the 200 pound mark, but running? C’mon- nobody wants to see me thundering down the greenway scaring wildlife and small children. Oh, yeah, and then there’s the fact that I detest mornings. “Hate” is too mild a word, and “not a morning person” does not even begin to cover it. I get up just in time to grab the nearest set of work clothes and stagger in on time. Mostly. So then why on earth did I get up at O’dark-thirty on a Saturday to go run? Because of the many women I know both family and friends who have beat breast cancer. In fact, I credit them as a collective group for getting me running in the first place.
A little history, when I was growing up here in Charleston two of my best friends lived down the street. Sue Ann and Karen became like sisters to me, and our mothers became best friends. Over thirty years ago my “other mom” Chris defied all odds by surviving breast cancer. Since then teachers, friends, colleagues all have fought the hard, messy, debilitating, defeminizing fight with courage, fear, humor, and a patience that I hope I never have to experience, for truly, I do not know if I would be strong enough and I pray I never have to find out.
In 2011 I walked in my first Susan G Komen Race for the Cure. It was a powerful experience to say the least. I was one of thousands of people-who got up on a Saturday morning to walk (or run) to remember, to celebrate, and to remind ourselves that the fight against breast cancer is far from over. It was one of the most diverse and representative groups I have ever seen in Charleston- all ages, genders, races. As I walked along side my own mom I had the thought that if these resilient women in their pink shirts and hats can undergo and not just survive, but reclaim their lives, then I should at least be able to get up off the couch and run in their honor.
However, running has not come easily for me. Since 2011 my goal each year has been to just complete the race a little faster. I’ve saved my numbers from each event, and have them hanging on a cork board near my bed where I can see them and be reminded. So this year, 2014, I am proud to say that I trimmed 13 minutes off my last time. I’m not jogging at the speed I’d like to be yet. In truth, I can only jog about half a 5K at this point. But I will continue to improve, and continue my own fight for a healthier me, and in doing so honor these women.
On those nights when I’m running on the greenway I have a little help keeping my motivation up because I always start my route the same way. As I leave my house I turn to the right and I take a good look at the house two doors down- a place I know well. It’s the house of my “other family”, and the home of one of the bravest women I know.
Race Standings
Bib Number 893
- Gender Place 704 of 1491
- Age Place 137 of 582 (F 41-50)
- Gender F
Age 42 Elapsed 00:50:20
Late Night Running 