Theater Turned Me On To Sports

A running journey by Steve Freeto

It’s hard to fathom how the arts can turn someone on to sports, but it happened to me.  What started as a way to support our local theater has turned into a near obsession.  Various fundraising activities for the renovation of our local theater included an event called “Dart for the Arts”.  I found out about the event from theater friends who were planning and organizing the 5K road race.  Since I wanted to support the cause and because I had friends involved in the event, I decided to sign up to RUN. Little did I know that a 5K was 3.1 miles (math is hard).

I was already physically active (singing and dancing is physical), but I was certainly not a runner.  I would jog when needed from my car to the front door of Target when it was raining, but I didn’t run farther than the .1 of the 3.1 miles.  Running, either outside or on a treadmill, was just not “my thing”.  I would always laugh and joke when I would see someone else running.  I would ask myself: “Why are they running? I don’t see anyone chasing them with a knife.”  I always thought runners needed to be tall and thin; anyone else must be getting chased by a murderer.  As far as I know, I have never been chased by a murderer and I am certainly not tall or thin.  The love of theater, prompted me to learn more about running and the running lifestyle and become a “runner” (just for this one event).

Since I had 6 months to get ready for the “Dart for the Arts”, I decided to start slow and “train” my body to run without getting injured.  I downloaded the Couch to 5K  2 month long training program.  I followed it for the first week before I started my own plan.  I couldn’t stand the slow pace of walking 5 mins, jogging 60 seconds, followed by a 90 second walk. It really is a great program to jumpstart your running lifestyle; I just did not have the patience.   I was up to a mile within a week’s time of “training” and would use my car to measure my route.  Who knew they had equipment and apps for that kind of thing?  Now, I run with Endomondo GPS and run tracking.

To make me feel like a real runner, I bought a real pair of running shoes.  Metro Walk Run is the place to go for quality product and top notch service.  You will spend $100 on shoes and it is worth it. They will watch your form and fit your foot (and body) with a pair of shoes that will not harm you.  I never spent that much on a pair of shoes, ever.  It was worth every penny.

I would mostly run alone and I just couldn’t get past my 2 mile “hump”.  I was bored, even with music and varying routes.  I needed someone to push me further.   I found a running buddy, kind enough to take me under his “running wing”.  We ran a few different routes before we decided to run Oxbow County Park.  By this time it was summer and occasionally hot.  Our runs were not long, but they were intense.

The training went well throughout the summer.  By October, I was ready for my first 5K.  Whether I was with a partner or by myself, I knew that I had “trained” well enough to run the 3.1 miles for the theater.   I was full of excitement and nervous energy on race morning.  It was a little crisp that morning and the sun was shining.  It was going to be a great day.  I was prepared to finish behind hundreds of experienced, skilled, tall and thin runners.  Actually only 119 runners were registered for the race (remember, math is hard).  The adrenaline and excitement of my first race propelled me at the sound of the starting gun.  My starting pace was way too fast to sustain for the entire race, but I didn’t know any better.  I ran as fast as I could for the first 2.5 miles.  I was even setting the pace for my running partner.  At that 2.5 mile mark, I had to slow down to walk for at least 30 seconds.  A couple of runners passed me while I was walking, until I got a resurgence of energy to sprint to the finish line.  I pushed and pushed and kept going right through.  I finished my first 5K in 24 minutes and 17 seconds.  Incredibly, I actually finished 29^th overall and 4^th in my age bracket. (My training/running partner set a Personal Record (PR) with his time).  I actually did it!  I raised funds for the theater and I did not get murdered while running 3.1 miles.

This is the part of the story where the word “addiction” could be added.  I started thinking about and planning my next race.  “Turkey Trots” and other late fall road races are quite prevalent.  It was time to do it again. Unfortunately and unrelated to running (and a long story on its own), I suffered a broken bone in my foot.  Cold turkey, I was “grounded” for 8 weeks (actually I was up and jogging in 6).  During my recovery from the broken foot, I had a craving for running and was convinced to register for the Indy Mini Marathon in May to kick off the month long Indianapolis 500 celebration.  This will be the last time that I refer to this half marathon race as a “mini”.  There is absolutely nothing “mini” about 13.1 miles.

Call it peer pressure, call it competitive spirit, call it “jonesing”, or call it anything else, I was registered to run through downtown Indianapolis and around the Indy 500 racetrack.  I had another 6 months to recover and prepare.  I went from not running ever to running a 5k to running a half marathon in one year.  Sounds foolish when I reflect on it, I really think this is a common scenario when reaching the age of 35.  After the age of 35, the reality begins to set in that 40 is closer than 30.  The age bracket of 34-39 is quite competitive and filled with people just like me.

Training for the half marathon officially started with a 2 mile jog after my foot healed.  My previous training consisted of many outdoor runs in the sun.  The half marathon training consisted of many outdoor runs in snow and near freezing temperatures.  Being a novice to the running lifestyle, I really didn’t know how to prepare for winter running.  I went to the Nike outlet store and bought what I thought would be “base layer” pants to keep me warm. Unfortunately, I did not realize that some running clothing is designed to take heat from the body and replace it with cool air.  Needless to say, that was a miserable experience…only to be repeated once while ice skating (common sense is just like math).

Clearly, I may not have much common sense at times, but I was smart enough to schedule a few more 5k “warm-up” runs prior to the Indy event.  The first of which was the Goshen Green Day 5k held on the First Friday of April.  This event was rainy and cold, which altered my race plan.  Instead of following the pace of the pack, I ran as fast as possible to finish the race.  I beat my previous and only other 5k time and went home with some chaffing due to the wet and cold weather.  Overall, it was a success with a time of 24 minutes and 12 seconds.

My next “warm-up” was at the end of the month of April.  The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5k was an inspiring event.  Being able to support those afflicted with breast cancer and to donate to finding a cure made me proud, regardless of my results.  This was the largest race that I have ever run. I wanted to be closer to the front to not have to worry about the slower runners and walkers who were there to also support the cause.  Foolishly, when the gun sounded I followed the pace of the “front” runners.  This pace was difficult for me to sustain, but I certainly gave it my best. Finding the finish line in 22 minutes and 59 seconds was emotional.  Being surrounded by so much “pink” for breast cancer support and research inspired me to be strong and fight (just like so many women have to do daily to fight against breast cancer).   I sprinted towards the finish line with everything left in my “tank”.  I shed tears and felt physically and emotionally drained as I crossed the line.  I just sat there watching my fellow runners and so many strong survivors cross the line.  This is such a great cause and an amazing event.  I will run or walk this event every year.

 Road Trip to Indianapolis!  Some friends of mine who live in Indianapolis gave me a place to sleep and helped me know what to expect for this 13.1 mile run.  I even got a great carb balanced meal (carb loading really isn’t necessary for me).  The morning of the race started around 5:30 AM as I wanted to get in a quick mile run to warm up my legs.   Once I was dropped off in the crowd of what seemed like hundreds of thousands of people I knew it was “now or never” to be ready.  With 35,000 runners in multiple timing corals, it was almost 4 minutes after the start of the race before I actually crossed the start line.  This experience was unlike anything I have ever experienced.  The start of the race certainly makes up for the middle of the race.  Right around mile 5 or 6, the route takes you around the Indy 500 track.  I was excited to run around the same track that open wheel race cars go over 200 MPH.  The trip around the track was a bit anti-climactic for me.  I built it up in my head to such a high expectation; quite frankly I was a bit bored and unimpressed.  I guess was not in awe with this part of the route, especially as you leave the track through the industrial area.  I didn’t have much motivation.  Heading back towards downtown and the finish line was much better for my spirits.  Right around the 10 mile mark, I actually got a “runner’s high” and jumped right over any “runner’s wall”.  Having 5k left seemed like a much easier challenge than the 13.1 that I started with at the beginning of the race.  With 1 mile to go, the rain slowly started to come down.  At first I was relieved to be cooled by Mother Nature, but as the rain increased my thoughts turned to the Goshen 5k. I did not want to deal with the chaffing issue again. I started sprinting towards the finish line a bit earlier than I planned and had to push hard to finish.  What a great feeling though to cross the line with so many people behind me.  I had fears of not only finishing last, but not finishing at all.  I may have been “sand-bagging” when I set my goal of 2 hours 15 minutes, but 1 hour 57 minutes and 21 seconds  was better than I actually expected.  I finished in front 23,879 people and behind 6,769 athletic men and women.

It took me two weeks to recover from the Indy Half Marathon.  I just did not want to run, I wanted to eat and eat and eat.  After taking a physical and mental break from running, it was time to get back on that “horse”.  I registered for another Half Marathon.  The Sunburst Half started downtown South Bend and ended in the middle of Notre Dame Stadium.  This route was mostly residential and had more curves and hills than I have ever experienced in a race.  I was prepared for the heat from my Oxbow park training, but I was not prepared for the hills that seemed to keep going up.  I finished with a respectable time of 2 hours 4 minutes and 12 seconds and decided that I would not be taking a 2 week break from running.  I did keep up my tradition of eating heartily after a big run.  Post-race Thai food is amazing and satisfying.  In fact, I am trying to plan all of my post-race meals around Thai food.

A true runner always has a goal and the next race planned. My next race is in support of Oxbow Park as the county attempts to rebuild the sightseeing tower that was destroyed in an arson fire.  I love to run for me and it is even better to run for someone else or for a cause.

I certainly hope to keep this running adventure going strong.  I hope to be an inspiration or motivation to others who are in my age bracket or going through a similar situation.  Mostly though, I want to inspire and motivate myself.  Running is not for everyone, but it is for me and I will gladly tell you my story (obviously).  I am always looking for my next “score”; maybe I will see you out there on the course or in the park.  I will try not to chase you with a knife.

Race Results:

Dart for the Arts 5K Oct 09 2010

29^th Overall/119

24:17.7

Goshen Green Day 5K April 1, 2011

52^nd Overall/209

24:14.2

Komen Northern Indiana Race for the Cure 5K April 30, 2011

56^th Overall/563

22:59

Indy 500 Half Marathon May 7, 2011

6,770 Overall/30,649

1:57:21

Sunburst Half Marathon June 4, 2011

465^th Overall/1,467

2:04:12

Upcoming Races:

Oxbow Tower Run 5K June 24, 2011

Elkhart 4H Fair 5K July 24, 20011

Oh by the way, I have no interest in running a full marathon.  I ran one, it just took me a month to finish 2 halves.

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