What Running Means to Me

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Running has been an on again off again part of my identity since the fall of 2011, when I completed my first half marathon.

My employer at the time was offering paid time off to train for and complete the race.  And I seriously wanted all the time off I could get.  It didn't matter to me that I was overweight, that I had never run a mile, or that I had zero idea of what I was doing.

I just signed up.

I found a training plan online and began to follow it.

And, to no one's surprise, I was nursing an injury before the first three weeks had gone by.  I continued to train haphazardly until about a month before the event.

Unbeknownst to me, a friend from high school was following my training blog, and we reconnected.  At the time, he was training for a 50k in an attempt to qualify for the Boston Marathon.  He gave me two pieces of advice that changed my life.

SLOW DOWN AND BREATHE.

Josh gave me permission to run slower.  He helped me to understand that my mind was just as much in charge as my body.  My confidence grew alongside my long runs each week.  Running slowly and for time was hard but rewarding.  A month later, I was able to run a full mile - even if it did take me over 18 minutes.

Six months later, I shaved 45 minutes off my half marathon time and I was a completely different person.

October 2011 to May 2012


Over the next couple of years, I would dive deeper into the fitness world - falling in love with powerlifting, running, and the challenge that the combination provided.  Eventually I changed careers to become a personal trainer.

I've never forgotten the feel of that first half marathon.  Meeting Amy just past the start line, the cheers as I sprinted (too far) towards the finish line, and the sense of accomplishment for just having finished the darn thing.

I've also never forgotten how it felt to complete the second one.  The excitement of the morning, of running the first three miles, of desperately needing to stop to pee, and of crossing the finish line just shy of my goal.

The excitement of the event is always what pulls me back to running.  And ultra running adds the camaraderie of friendship and the knowledge I'm doing something very few have accomplished.

My mind is ready for my next 50k.  My body has until June 7, 2025 to catch up.

My first ultra finish.  Not my last.



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