 |
|
|
The Every Woman’s Guide
to Marathoning
By Wendy Robbins &
Alyce Vilines
| Paula’s story appears in The Every Woman’s Guide to Marathoning book published by Pendragon Publishing Inc. This book combines a sound and effective training schedule with the inspirational stories of everyday women and how they got from their sofa to the sidewalk to a marathon finish line. With chapters covering equipment basics to raceday timing, The Every Woman’s Guide to Marathoning will make you laugh and lift your spirits every step of the way. |
|
Paula's story as published in the book: |
| When asked, most of us would rather not share some of the nicknames we
earned in high school, but Paula Bruchhaus of |
|
As a fourth grade teacher and mother of two young children, Paula’s
only free time was in the early morning. So
when Gigi’s, a local health club, opened its doors at 5 a.m., she was there.
Her plan was simple. First
learn how to turn on the treadmill. Then
walk. After three weeks of these
sunrise sessions, Paula was able to jog slowly for 30 minutes. |
| It may have been for the challenge, or may simply have been for the tee
shirt, but Paula entered and completed a 5K race.
After scanning the crowd for someone more out-of-shape than herself and
suppressing her fear of finishing last in front of the police escort, she
tightened her laces and began. A
myriad of races and a drawer full of tee shirts later, Paula realized her quest
for fitness was not about what she had lost (70 pounds!) but what she had
gained. Confidence. |
| Six months after her first foray onto the treadmill, she heard the word
“triathlon” mentioned in the gym. Why
not? As she stated herself, she
could “swim across the pool as long as she had her big face-mask goggles”
and she had “learned to ride a bike as a toddler.” And what a mistake it was
that July afternoon for her dad to ever doubt her abilities.
I’m sure he’s still eating crow.
|
|
Not only did Paula complete the mini-triathlon, but two months later she
challenged her students to meet their Accelerated Reader class goal.
The reward? She would enter
the Gatorman Triathlon, and event including bike riding, swimming, and a 4.5
mile run. The day they met their
goal, this teacher lived up to her word. She
filled out the registration form, signed
her check and sent an eager pupil to the school mailbox.
The morning of the event, seven expectant faces showed up to cheer their
Mrs. Bruchhaus on. |
| On December 31, exactly one year after making the commitment to change
her life, Paula stopped by to thank one of the fitness instructors at Gigi’s.
She couldn’t verbalize her gratitude, but certainly her unadulterated
tears spoke volumes. |
| Needless to say, Paula Bruchhaus learned the pay-off from taking risks.
And more adventures lay ahead. In
October 2003 she down-loaded a training schedule from the Internet and set her
sights on a marathon. Only this
time, she wasn’t doing it only for herself.
Along with the little hands and super sized hearts of her fourth-graders,
she ran to raise money for a sick baby in her community.
And after countless 5 a.m. jogs, quite a few disappearing toenails, and a
bet with one student’s father for a class pizza party, she did it.
Was there ever any doubt? |
|
Those 26.2 miles showered Paula with a sense of accomplishment and a
lesson that would last a lifetime. She
says it best in her own words, “Not too shabby for an old Stump
who feels like she’s grown into a strong live tree.” |
|
Over
the coffee cup |
|
Paula’s
first marathon: |
|
Q:
What was the reaction of your friends and family when you decided to run
a marathon?
A:
Once my father stopped laughing (I was never athletic in high school), he
became my biggest fan. He and all
his friends at work tracked me (via the Internet) during the race.
He was very proud. |
|
Q:
Did you train alone or with a
partner?
A:
I trained alone with the companionship of my MP3 player.
I love my music when I run. |
|
Q:
What one thing did you do right during your training?
A:
I stayed true to my training schedule, and I had a reason to run—Baby
Amber. |
|
Q:
What one thing did you do wrong?
A:
I began the marathon at too fast a pace, zigzagging in and out of people.
I stumbled and hurt my knee. |
|
Q:
Did you ever hit the wall?
A:
At about mile 20 I felt I couldn’t continue, so I reached into my
pocket and pulled out a photo of the baby for whom we were raising money and a
“strength angel” medal given to me by a friend.
Seeing that baby with the I.V. and tubes connected all over her tiny body
helped me to put things into perspective. My
pain was temporary; hers was uncertain. I
made it to the finish line, and I still carry that picture in my purse today. |
|
Q:
Do you have a million dollar trade secret?
A:
Buy a poncho from the Dollar Store to wear in the beginning of the race;
as you warm up, you can simply throw it away. |
|
Postcript:
Paula’s
enthusiasm is contagious. Just ask
the |