Column: Aaron Worm, Behind the Mic

I know it might sound strange to bring up New Year’s resolutions in July, but mine back in January was to exercise more.

After months and months of making excuses I finally began my resolution on Saturday.

I ran in my first 5K, a very special run to me, the Walk for Wishes event, in Bloomington.

For some reason I thought I could just run without training for the event.

Back in high school when I ran cross-country, one of our motivational slogans was, “The body can only achieve what the mind believes.”

As much as I believe in this, that doesn’t apply to an out of shape 36-year-old.

Are you familiar with the show “How I Met Your Mother?”

There is a character on the show named Barney and there is an episode where he runs a marathon. He didn’t train for the event and said you don’t have to because it’s all mental. He runs the event, no sweat.

I did not use the episode as motivation that I could run without preparation; anyone can run 26.2 miles on a scripted TV show.

I should mention in the episode Barney eventually got stuck on a subway because his legs had turned to Jell-O, and wasn’t able to walk.   That part might be more realistic.

All joking aside my motivation of course for running was for raising money for Make-A-Wish, an organization that helps children with life-threatening conditions with its wish granting-work.

Make-A-Wish says in their mission statement, that they grant wishes to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

My son Lukas and my family have experienced the wonderful things Make-A-Wish does when his wish was granted to go to Disney World back in November.

Now the actual race started well for me. After the first mile the guy next to me was timing himself, and he said we were at 9 minutes, 37 seconds. I know that isn’t fast, but for me that’s road runner speed.

The mental aspect kicked in immediately with a little voice telling me that you can’t keep up this pace. Which I didn’t. I ended walking half of the 5K event and finished in a time of 35-plus minutes.

My two sons ran out to me and the three of us finished that last 50 yards of the race hand in hand, a moment I will never forget.

The day wasn’t about how fast one ran, it was about showing support.

I think it was a special day for everyone and a day that will always mean a lot to me.

KATE Radio and 94.9 The Breeze are part of Three Eagles Communication and through fundraiser efforts made in the company more than $10,000 was raised for Make-A-Wish. Included in that amount, was $1,500 donated by the Eagles Club here in Albert Lea.

It is an amazing feeling when so many people come together for such a great cause.   Thank you!

 

KATE Radio Sports Director Aaron Worm’s column appears every Monday in the Tribune. He can be heard from 6 to 11 a.m. weekdays on The Breeze.