My Running Story

After 2nd Half Marathon

In college I balanced a full plate of courses, an internship, a job and a leadership role in a student organization. I loved always being busy and on the go.  After I graduated college I moved to the suburbs of Chicago where I started my first big girl job. Once I got into the groove of things I started to miss having something to work on besides work. I wanted to find something else to do so I started looking at leadership courses at community colleges in the area, dance courses, I even thought about picking up a part-time job at a make-up counter at the mall. Then one day it finally hit me when I was shopping with a friend for NYE dresses. I was having problems finding a dress that I liked that fit me. I always told myself I would loose the weight I put on in college someday. I needed that someday to happen now.

I joined a gym, hired a trainer and started eating healthy.  My best friend also started to hit the gym to work on her fitness to help encourage me achieve my goal. One night  after work we were chatting on facebook , she told me about how she broke her personal record on the treadmill.  She was so thrilled that she started thinking about training for a half marathon and asked me to join her. I distinctly remember my response, I said “I just started working out again I don’t think I’m ready for something of that caliber.” She said she didn’t think she was either but wanted something to work towards. After she said that I realized she was right, this is exactly what I needed, a goal to work towards. Anyone that really knows me knows that if I have a goal to chase after it I will do whatever it takes to reach it. So I took the plunge and registered.

I was on the track team in high school for two years on the long distance team. So I knew I had the endurance to do it, it was just a matter of finding it again. When I first started training I could barely run a mile on the treadmill. I was so frustrated and couldn't believe I let myself get so out of shape.  I worked with my trainer twice a week on getting some muscle and strength and did cardio about 4 times a week.  I was starting to loose weight and my clothes were getting loose but I still couldn’t run more than 2 miles. The weather started getting warmer so I started to run outside everyday and eventually worked my way up to 3 to 4 miles. I don’t know exactly how it happened but I started to get a runners high after running and craved it. Running outside made it so much more enjoyable. When I run on a treadmill I feel like I'm inside a hamster wheel and I constantly look at the time.


 In the spring of 2010 I  registered for a 5k called Run for Reading in Naperville.  I set a goal for myself to do it under 35 minutes and I ended up doing it just a little over 30 minutes. I  Let’s just say it was history after that. About a month later I ran a 10k with my best friend and  spent the remainder of the summer training for the Rock and Roll Half Marathon by following Hal Higdon’s training plan. I completed my first half marathon on August 1,2010. After my first half I was in what they call, post- race depression. I felt empty without having a goal to chase after so I created a new one. To complete the Chicago Marathon in 2011. So here I am again…chasing after a new goal, this time twice as big as the first. I hope to use this blog as a way for my family and friends to follow my journey to a happy and healthy training period.

Celebrating after my first Half Marathon

Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon Expo

 



















Never tell yourself you can't do something. I'm convinced that running is 85% mental and 15% physical. Even if running isn't your thing go out there and find something that is. Maybe biking, swimming, spinning, dancing, yoga, etc. Set a goal for yourself and you'll be amazed at the results.


Races
My ultimate goal for running is to complete the 2011 Chicago Marathon. My goal is to do it under 5 hours. I also have a lofty goal to get a sub 2 half marathon by the end of 2011. Every race thus far I have set a new personal record for myself.

•  2010 Run For Reading 5k - 30:57
• 2010 Lincoln Park Run To The Zoo 10k- 1:03
• 2010 Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon -2:26
• 2010 Hot Chocolate 15k- 1:33
• 2010 Turkey Trot Oshkosh 8k-47:58
• 2011 Chicago Spring Half Marathon- 2:09- Personal Record by 17 minutes
• 2011 Race to Wrigley 5k- 26:54- Personal Record by 4 minutes
• 2011 North Shore Half Marathon 2:05- Personal Record by 4 minutes
• 2011 Rock N' Sole Half Marathon