My Running Story
Throughout high school and college I never ran. In fact, I hated it. I would bike miles upon miles, and was a competitive swimmer throughout both, but I hated to run. In high school, I couldn't even complete the mile run. In college, we were forced to run some as part of swimming. I did it, but I hated it. One particular incident, where I had forgotten my shoes and had to borrow others resulted in bloody ankles. I vowed to never run again.
Fast forward to 2009. I thought it would be fun to complete a 5k. So, I got a group of people together from work and we “ran” our first 5k. In reality, it was a 50 minute walk/jog/almost die experience. However, it was enough of a start. I caught the bug a little bit and would go through periods where I would run off and on from that point, really not getting much further than a mile or two at my longest.
Then, in 2011, I ran my first 5k. I mean really ran. I was dying towards the end, but I finished the Komen Race for the Cure in Columbus, Ohio in 34 minutes. Now that may not seem to be a lot for you, but for me, with my non-runner 4’10 frame and little legs and feet, it was quite an accomplishment!
I continued running throughout that summer. I got stuck at the 2 mile point for awhile but was finally able to push past it to 3 or 4 miles. It was around that time, in the fall of 2011, that some little voince in my head said, “Hey, wouldn’t it be cool to run a marathon?” I was inspired by a former co-worker who was an amazing runner, and I answered myself with a quick, “sure why not!?”
So, I dove into a 16 week training program. I had been running up to about 3 miles or so at that point. I was concerned about time, just the fact that I finish. For me, that is what running is all about. The experience and the amazing feeling I get when I let it all loose and just run.
My training went well, with a few bumps along the way. I had run in Mizuno running shoes for the longest time and went out and bought a new pair, knowing very well, that these would get a lot of mileage. I loved them....my feet, however, did not. I developed pain in my foot and then got half quarter sized blisters on the insides of my heal. Despite the pain, they were able to heal, I got new shoes and I pushed on. I ran my first half marathon in Clearwater Beach, Florida in 2 hours 42 minutes in January. I was almost there! Just a few more weeks until the big show: The Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon in Myrtle, Beach, SC. Three weeks before the big day, I got big news. After two years of trying...we were expecting a baby! After some hesitation, but not much, I went on to complete the marathon. The baby both helped me get through it as well as hindered me as well. I talked to the baby and felt I had company throughout most of it. Then, at mile 21, I had the notorious mental breakdown. I then got worried about the baby and walked the majority of the end of the race. Between that, and my wonderful watch (which I relied on too much for pacing) dying, I finished just over the 6 hour mark. But hey, I finished right?
Now that I am in the 7th month of pregnancy, running is pretty much obsolete. but, wow do I miss it. I already have plans for next year to dive back in and run a marathon next fall. I am excited and can't wait to get back out there!
Fast forward to 2009. I thought it would be fun to complete a 5k. So, I got a group of people together from work and we “ran” our first 5k. In reality, it was a 50 minute walk/jog/almost die experience. However, it was enough of a start. I caught the bug a little bit and would go through periods where I would run off and on from that point, really not getting much further than a mile or two at my longest.
Then, in 2011, I ran my first 5k. I mean really ran. I was dying towards the end, but I finished the Komen Race for the Cure in Columbus, Ohio in 34 minutes. Now that may not seem to be a lot for you, but for me, with my non-runner 4’10 frame and little legs and feet, it was quite an accomplishment!
I continued running throughout that summer. I got stuck at the 2 mile point for awhile but was finally able to push past it to 3 or 4 miles. It was around that time, in the fall of 2011, that some little voince in my head said, “Hey, wouldn’t it be cool to run a marathon?” I was inspired by a former co-worker who was an amazing runner, and I answered myself with a quick, “sure why not!?”
So, I dove into a 16 week training program. I had been running up to about 3 miles or so at that point. I was concerned about time, just the fact that I finish. For me, that is what running is all about. The experience and the amazing feeling I get when I let it all loose and just run.
My training went well, with a few bumps along the way. I had run in Mizuno running shoes for the longest time and went out and bought a new pair, knowing very well, that these would get a lot of mileage. I loved them....my feet, however, did not. I developed pain in my foot and then got half quarter sized blisters on the insides of my heal. Despite the pain, they were able to heal, I got new shoes and I pushed on. I ran my first half marathon in Clearwater Beach, Florida in 2 hours 42 minutes in January. I was almost there! Just a few more weeks until the big show: The Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon in Myrtle, Beach, SC. Three weeks before the big day, I got big news. After two years of trying...we were expecting a baby! After some hesitation, but not much, I went on to complete the marathon. The baby both helped me get through it as well as hindered me as well. I talked to the baby and felt I had company throughout most of it. Then, at mile 21, I had the notorious mental breakdown. I then got worried about the baby and walked the majority of the end of the race. Between that, and my wonderful watch (which I relied on too much for pacing) dying, I finished just over the 6 hour mark. But hey, I finished right?
Now that I am in the 7th month of pregnancy, running is pretty much obsolete. but, wow do I miss it. I already have plans for next year to dive back in and run a marathon next fall. I am excited and can't wait to get back out there!