I’ve never been much of a runner, but Robin, my wife,
certainly is. If you know Robin you know
she’s incredibly fit. Her positive energy and attitude is, she’s often
suggested, due at least in part to how running makes her feel.
In the past I have thought running to be somewhat
monotonous and, frankly, a fairly inefficient way to exercise. I thought that
what I could accomplish in the gym in 45 minutes would take twice as long
running along the side of a road.
Over the past two years I’ve made a conscious effort to
widen my view and to experience things that I might have previously avoided or
dismissed. As Steve Jobs often intoned, the journey is the reward.
Recently, I suggested to Robin that we visit Austin and the
hill country of Texas. Sharing a love for nature, I thought she would find
Austin and the surrounding area both fun and soul-satisfying.
The Texas Hill Country is located in the Edwards Plateau
region in the central part of Texas. It’s known for canyons, rock-strewn hills
and hundreds of brooks and springs. The topographical range is from a hundred
feet to over 3,000 feet above sea level, creating several micro-climates that
are home to any number of rare plants and wildlife.
As luck would have it, Robin found a half-marathon event
taking place in October - the Hill Country Half Marathon. As both a fun and
semi-serious running event, Robin thought it would be a terrific opportunity
for her to challenge herself while I participated in my first timed event, a 5k.
The Hill Country Half Marathon is a Halloween run supporting
the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas.
Attracting primarily locals, it’s the type of event that attracts
runners of various skill levels in support of an excellent cause.
Robin’s goal, in addition to cajoling me to run with her,
was to best her most recent time for a half marathon. My goal for the Hill
Country Half Marathon was a bit more modest.
I just wanted to finish!
In preparation for the event, Robin went about her normal, strenuous,
daily training schedule. For my
preparation, I embarked upon a new training regimen of running 3 or 4 miles,
three to four times a week. At first, I
found the training boring. Within a few
weeks, my forty-five minute runs became an eagerly anticipated time when I
could free my mind and become totally involved in my surroundings. As a result of my new appreciation for
running, and the progress I made, I decided to attempt the half-marathon,
rather than to do just the 5k.
I’m proud to report that Robin came in third in her age
group with a time of 1:48:15, that comes out to an incredible 8.14 minutes a
mile over 13 miles! How did I do? I finished with a time of 2:30:18, nearly 45
minutes behind Robin but with just as big a smile on my face!
Running the half-marathon made me feel great and I have
Robin to thank for encouraging me to have that experience. In a small way I helped support the Austin
families who live and love with a family member with Downs Syndrome, while also
enjoying a wonderful extended weekend in Austin with my beautiful, fleet-footed
wife.
Here are some additional photos of the many who found joy running this Fall day for a good cause.
