I’m ready to do The Color Run.
Not ready in terms of having trained – because I haven’t – at all. Ready emotionally.
Apparently I need a disclaimer, so here it is – after the first paragraph so I don’t eff up my SEO. I was given free media passes for Offspring and I to participate in The Color Run, basically because I wanted really badly to go, but didn’t want to pay. I wouldn’t tell you I loved it, if I didn’t.
This Is Not About Fitness
If I’m perfectly honest I’ve been a slug for the past year and a half. So lazy, in fact, that in a recent 30 day movement challenge with Ranbir Puar of Freewithin I listed kneading dough for 15 minutes as my activity one day. That’s an upper body workout, right?
In the past year I’ve paid for, and committed to participate in Tough Mudder and Rugged Maniac. As each event neared I briefly considered doing some training, then let it slide until the event was looming and at the last moment, I bailed out.
This is super frustrating and demoralizing for me. Up until a few years ago, I always considered myself to be naturally athletic. I loved to run, do yoga, play tennis, swim, snorkel, scuba dive, and I competed in formation skydiving and motocross. Exercise was never a chore, and I never felt like I was doing it to attain anything. Movement brought me joy.
Finding joy in exercise has been impossible since I hit my mid 40’s. Damage from years of competitive extreme sports finally caught up with me, and when I wake up in the morning I can barely walk.
Perimenopause has compounded my trouble by making it futile to try to get a full night’s sleep, and by making weight gain effortless. Hell, I can probably stop calling it perimenopause since I can’t remember when I had a period last.
OK So This Really Is About Fitness
My goal is to get back into an exercise routine that makes me feel great and doesn’t feel like drudgery. I have to. Not only do I need to get myself back in shape and drop the weight I’ve gained for my own health, I have to set a good example for my daughter. I can be pretty weird (and extreme, and hypocritical) about food. LOL.
I want Offspring to have a healthy relationship with food and exercise from a young age. That’s why I’m so excited about participating in The Color Run with her.
The Color Run is a five-kilometer, un-timed event in which thousands of participants, or “Color Runners,” are doused from head to toe in different colors at each kilometer. The Color Run caters to everyone — from first time runners to seasoned athletes. At the end of the event, participants join a “Finish Festival” with music, dancing and massive color throws.
It’s Also About Social Good
The Color Run is a for-profit event management company, which frequently partners with different charities to help shine a light on their amazing work within the community and the causes they stand for. The Color Run has raised donations for more than 80 local and national charities since 2012.
To date, The Color Run has donated more than $5 million to charity. The Vancouver event will benefit Chill Foundation.
Sign up for the Vancouver event here: Tickets for The Color Run.
thank you for valuable information sharing
Its about fitness! Its not about fitness! To us, the value of a color run can withstand time and be preserved in the clothing you wore! Keeing your clothes from the event can be a valuable and cherished item in your collection.. Seems like you ran this a month or so ago, but this tip is for all those who see this page in anticipation of what to expect from a color run!
Fantastic Lizzie! I can’t wait to see the pictures of your run.
Thank you ??