Its been a long time since I updated this blog. So long in fact, that I decided it was time for me to start over. In the past year or so since I began my journey as a runner, my life has evolved and changed in ways that I never could have imagined. New job, new geography, a new perspective on life-all of these have come my way. Oh and yes, I'm still running.
Running and I used to share an unhealthy relationship. I ran to get away from the things that bothered me and because I thought it made me look more impressive. I didn't run for me, I ran for other people and to change their image of me. I ran my first half marathon and 10 miler and then quit running for a few months. It stopped being fun and I was doing it for all the wrong reasons.
At the end of the summer of 2010, I moved to a new place and started a new job. I knew nothing and nobody and needed some type of familiarity. Work was stressful and I was lonely and I needed a release from the unhappiness. So, I returned to the world of running. I started small, just aiming for a 5K. This new place was surrounded by hills and I had to learn a whole new style of running since I no longer could slack on the flat roads of home. I had to get mentally tough if I wanted to make it through even just a few miles of hills since my legs were burning from constantly going up or down. And somehow, running became fun again. I looked forward to my runs and the mental de-stress that they brought me at the end of a long workday
I did a few races-nothing fancy just a few 5 and 10Ks, where I didn't feel that great, and then I slacked off for the winter due to snow and ice. I joined a gym and started cross training with cycling classes. Little did I know that this would have a huge impact on how I ran. When the weather warmed up and I could finally hit the roads again, I decided to try a 5K to see where I stood. Much to my surprise, I ran my fastest time in over a year and had a blast doing it. I had registered for the same 10 miler I had done the year before, and suddenly, it didn't seem like such an impossible goal.
And so, with the warmer weather, I began running more often. I upped the cycling and added weight training and ab work to make the cross training even more effective. I ran a 7K PR and then ran my fastest 10K in over a year the next weekend. That 10K was the first sign of how far I'd come and changed as a runner in the last year. I wasn't in 10K shape and instead of quitting and getting mentally negative when I hit the wall, I pushed through, kept running, and finished. When I crossed the line, I decided that I was going to run the 10 mile race.
The race was this past weekend. My longest run before it was 7 miles. When I waited start, all I felt was excitement. I was ready. My belly was full, my adrenaline was up, and my mind was clear and focused only on the goal ahead. I started strong and ran a consistent pace for the first 6 miles. Then, I hit the wall and knew it was time for the true test of how far I could push myself. I slowed down to let my body recover, and then I pushed through the last 3 miles. They were slow and painful miles due to a killer blister on my foot, but I kept telling myself I could do this, stayed in a positive state of mind, and kept on running. When I crossed the line, I was only a few seconds off of my PR. Even though I was dead tired and everything hurt, I don't ever remember feeling that happy and accomplished at the end of a race. In fact, the whole experience was the first distance race that I've ever enjoyed and had fun participating in.
And so, I am on my new journey as a runner. I'm no longer running away from the person I don't like and the things that bother me, but towards the person I want to become and the things I want to accomplish and change. Running is no longer a chore, but something I look forward to and enjoy. It doesn't matter to me if I'm I finish at the back of the pack or people blow by me like I'm standing still. I'm just happy to be out running. :)
