My Running Story

I ran track and cross country in high school but it was more of a social thing than a real interest.  Several of my friends were running so it was fun to join them.  I was not what you would call "good" but I was decent enough to finish in the middle of the pack.  In college I had to have knee surgery and the running career was over...

...not really or else I wouldn't be writing this running focused blog!  Several years ago I joined a gym called Live Long Fitness in West Ocean City, MD to lose the weight I had gained from the pregnancies with little girls.  I promptly told the owner, Lisa Long, that I wasn't a runner.  She said "OK".  Several months later Lisa convinced me to run a 5K that she was sponsoring.  (I really agreed just so that she would stop bugging me about it!)  My oldest daughter Ryann and I entered the race with the goal of finishing and not being last.  We both finished and weren't last!  I totally caught the bug...I loved every bit of it.  I loved the race atmosphere, the adrenaline I felt at the starting line, the rush of pride I felt at the finish, cheering for the age group winners.  I walked a major portion of the race so I set a goal of running the entire race and a month later I achieved that goal!  So I set another goal of running the 5K in under 30 minutes and a month later I achieved that goal too!  I learned a lot about myself in those first three races.

I learned enough that I decided to challenge myself (and several friends from the gym) to run a half marathon.  In April 2010, I completed my first half marathon!  My time was not impressive and I knew I could have run faster.  So of course I set a new goal for myself...running the Baltimore half marathon and getting under 2 hours and 10 minutes.  In October 2010 I ran the Baltimore half in 2:08!  New goal...a half in under 2 hours.

Through running I have found a new side of myself that I really like.  It's a side of me that makes me a happier, more fulfilled person.  I have met amazing people and made life long friends.  Now I am sharing the rest of my running story with you...whoever you are who decides to read this blog!  I hope you enjoy my trials and tribulations!