I dare you.....
A few years ago while driving over the Annapolis Naval Academy bridge I asked my husband, " Will you come pick me up if I run over this bridge?" To which he responded, " How about you run over and turn around and run back. I dare you." Not quite sure what came over me, perhaps all the runners with smiles on their faces or the fact my children in the car were anticipating my response, but I took his dare. Thanks to my husband it has been three years and I'm still running over that bridge. Because of his dare, running has evolved into an integral part of my life.For someone who was not an athlete in my younger years, I find running around Annapolis to fit the bill for therapy and fitness. It's simple, requires no gym membership and can be done at anytime of the day. Running through the streets of Annapolis gives me the mental strength and physical stamina to handle the challenges raising five children throws my way AND the scenery is tough to beat. Not to mention it allows me the privilege to indulge my sweet tooth addiction every so often (okay, my daily sweet tooth addiction) without feeling guilty.
I'm certainly not the only woman in Annapolis that has discovered the 'secret' of running for health and beauty. All over town I see women just like me, wives and mothers, who were not terribly athletic in their youth, but like me wanted to enjoy the scenery, stay in shape and set a good example for our children to follow.
Okay, where is this headed you may ask? Well, on April 13th I'll be running my first half marathon. I'll be lacing up Sunday morning bright and early to do a 13.1 mile race in Central Park in New York City with one of my sisters. The More Magazine/FITNESS Magazine Women's Half-Marathon, in its 11th year, is the largest all-female half in the U.S with 10,000 racers! Wow! Yes, I'll be running through Central Park with 9,998 women like me who believe running is the ticket to good health both inside and out. Did I mention there will be a celebrity host as well? NBC News' Hoda Kotb is scheduled to be there-maybe she'll greet me at the finish line with a glass of wine! The weather is supposed to be sunny and 65, sounds like perfect running weather to me. I'll keep you posted!
So, let me ask you Annapolis, do you dare run? If you don't run,do you walk? How do you get your fitness in and relieve stress? How are you out there enjoying this great city of ours? I'd love to hear from you!
