The North Wind

Issue date: 9/25/08 Section: Sports

My resolution to leave the NMU Varsity Volleyball team was made with a heavy heart and conflicting emotions. When I told my folks of my decision, my mom's first question was, "Callie, sweetie, you've got a lot of intensity. What is your outlet going to be?" Long-distance running had always been something I would try "when volleyball was over." Well, that excuse was spent, so I signed up for the Lake Superior Shoreline Trail Half-Marathon. I was ready to become a different athlete.

For guidance, I turned to the online version of the runners' bible: RunnersWorld.com. With tips and training plans for all levels of experience and ability, I found a nine-week half-marathon program that fit what I wanted. "You've run for at least a year, but you're still a racing neophyte. You want to go longer and your race time is less important to you than finishing." Perfect. To log my training, I used MapMyRun.com, which I found to be invaluable.

The transition reenergized me. Running was whatever I wanted it to be: casual, serious, strenuous, a sluggish shuffle. I could focus on listening to my body during those long runs. I switched up routes often, finding ideas from local runners on MapMyRun. Life slowed down and began to make sense.

The miles soon passed with ease and in the seventh week, I joined the double digit club. Ten miles: a runner's universal rite of passage. For someone who had once dreaded the timed mile in gym class, this was a big milestone. I finished and felt great - hopes were high.

Wednesday before the race, I began battling flu symptoms that progressively worsened through the day. This was not part of the nine-week program. After sleeping for 12 hours, I woke up in a puddle of sweat, with my fever and chills gone. I tried running on Friday to loosen up my tight muscles, but I could hardly make it a block or two before stopping to rest. This was not good.

Continued...

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