It has been a month of new beginnings.
Written by: Nicole Denison
It has been a month of new beginnings. I was accepted into the Master’s program at the University of Nevada, Reno, I gained employment at Apex Performance Solutions and to top it all off I ran my first ever half marathon.
The last year has been challenging to say the least, with events that have truly tested my will. With the stresses of admissions applications, employment applications and exams, I was in desperate need of an outlet, which I found in running.
I haven’t always been a runner. In fact, I consider myself a true newbie. My first organized run was the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot in 2009. With little training I finished the race, but with a time I am too embarrassed to reveal. The thought of running has always appealed to me, but the physical act of running was dreadful. I had good intentions, but I had the attention span of a gnat when it came to hitting the pavement.
I can’t say where the birth of my love of running began, but I’d place it around nine or so months ago. I had just moved into a new neighborhood where the scenery was breathtaking and the trails were enjoyable.
I ran the Turkey Trot again this last year, in six degree weather mind you, and I finished it in under an hour. What was really motivating to me was the energy I felt at the beginning of the race, and all the way through.
I began running more and in January I began training for a half marathon down in Napa Valley. The thought of running 13.1 miles and then celebrating by hitting up the local wineries sounded nothing less than blissful. Training ended quite abruptly when my family experienced a huge tragedy; the death of my uncle. For a few weeks I didn’t know what to do with myself. My mother was devastated with the loss of her brother and I was tormented with the thought that there was absolutely nothing I could do to take away her suffering, but just be there. Training had taken a back seat to making sure that she would be okay. I filled my mornings with the usual job seeking and studying that I had previously done, but I had to focus on activities that would take her mind off of her loss.
I realized that I was slowly beginning to spiral into a negative state and I knew that giving up wasn’t an option. I also realized that I must be more diligent in my job search and get my school applications completed and most of all, get active again. Things couldn’t get any worse, but they sure did get a whole lot better.
After four intense interviews with the Apex team I was hired on and later that same week I ran my first ever half marathon- the Rock ‘n River in downtown Reno. The last week has been an emotional one for me. I’ve cried- a lot. My tears, though, have not been tears of pain, rather the release of the worries that have riddled me for the last year, and few months especially.
I became especially emotional during the half marathon. Sure I had been training, but I could always be training harder and longer. Could I handle the mental demands of continually running for 13.1 miles straight? But as the race started I knew I could do it and more importantly that I WOULD do it.
I turned on my music and was transfixed into my own world. It was me, the music and the pavement. I could feel the energy of the other runners and the cheers from the sidewalks and it was intoxicating. I could not have asked for a better first race.
As I neared the finish and could see the Reno Arch with the crowds on the streets I couldn’t hold back. I was overcome (again) with emotion and my eyes welled up with tears. Thank goodness I was wearing a hat and sunglasses because I would have hated to cross the finish line with the crowd seeing anything other than a smile on my face, which there definitely was.
Along with the complimentary running shirt and medal I received from the event, I will always remember what this first race symbolized: strength. My training continues with my sights set on the Reno-Tahoe Odyssey relay race in June and who knows what else I may find along the way.
But cheers to new beginnings and future challenges. And as they say, enjoy the miles. =)
Nicole Denison- Project Manager
