Musing on Marathon Diva…Kim Sitzmann. A Running Buddy Makes All the Difference.
Now that bubble is too small for me to have written what she’s really thinking which would be….
I miss you…get that darn knee better.
Okay. She’s probably not thinking that. That’s what I’m thinking. For you see, Kim was my running buddy till last September 30 when I popped the expletive out of my knee.
But this post is not about that. This is about her…and since we used to meet most every morning to run, I can speak with authority from her example — that a person can be a consummate professional at work, have a fulfilling marriage, be a very involved loving mom, give of her time at church and in the community, keep her house lots straighter than mine, have a kick-a garden, freeze and store all her produce (This includes pickling all that okra that you can’t possibly eat — and not letting go to waste like some people.) Okay, I’m going to stop this because it’s making me feel bad…
Her boys keep her busy.
No. It’s just making me miss checking-in with her life — morning after morning — running through the dark streets when most everyone else is sleeping.
Kim approached me early last summer and said she wanted to find a running partner to help her train for the Peachtree Road Race. I said great. For I was having a sinking spell in my enthusiasm about lacing up my shoes day after day.
So she started showing up at my house three to four times a week. This was at 5 a.m. days she had to report to hospital for her position as mammographer. We’d sleep-in and run at 5:30 a.m. on the days she didn’t. (This was in the summer, people.)
But it was terribly fun and I miss it — terribly.
So funny thing was she got the running bug big. She wanted to train for a half marathon — 13.1. Her husband Dennis, also got bit by the bug and wanted to do the same. They both have done awesome. In October they ran the Atlanta 13.1, which I was to run with her and that’s when the knee thing happened. Just days before. Double :p
So Kim’s had to find other partners. And she’s come so far. She’s right at two hours for her 13.1 time. AWESOME
When did you start running? How much do you run a week?
I started running in high school with a friend. I run on average 20 to 30 miles a week when I’m not training.
When did decide to start signing up for the longer distances?
A half-marathon was just something I had always wanted to do. So two years ago I decided to give it a try. It just seemed like an obtainable distance. I also wanted to commit to some kind of exercise, so I knew if I signed up for his — I had to do it.
The purty running couple.
What do you like about the half marathon distance?
The half-marathon to me is a great distance. I just feel good doing it. As an added bonus, all the training you do prior to it is a great way to keep in shape. I have only done three half-marathons (the other was the Chickamagua Battlefield Half — which is supposed to be an awesome race BTW) and would eventually like to train for a full marathon. I have enjoyed running with other people to help us stay accountable to each other. That is key for me.
What was special about the Disney race…any specific memories?
This was my favorite race by far. It was our first trip to Disney. We took the whole family and made a vacation out of it. My husband was able to run this one with me. It is just fun to have an exercise thing we can do together. I loved running through the Magic Kingdom and all the people. It was Magical!!
Thanks Kim, so glad you enjoyed it. It is a fun party. You are proof that with a little discipline even someone with lots of commitments — family, work and social — can do this. But having someone waiting on you at five in the more does get you out of bed. Doesn’t make it easier…but once you meet up and start running, it’s really a fabulous start to the day. Hope I can heal up and join you soon.
Tomorrow, I’m going to recount my half experience with another grade school friend Michelle Trimble. Having reconnected on Facebook, she agreed at my begging to accompany me in my slower-paced 13.1. And you know, it was terribly fun. So if the idea of walking/running a half interests you…read on tomorrow.
This year for the first time, I chilled out a bit (kind of had to) and took pictures along the way.
So until tomorrow, hope you go have a great run for me. Miss our mornings, Kim. Lots of hearts your way.
