Runner!

Running...ugh! No really, I have learned to love running! I have learned to enjoy exercise, but this wasn't always the case! Back in high school I managed to fail freshman year gym class on the sheer fact that I refused to run, at all! I use to view running as a God given gift meant for skinny people!

 Things begin to change in the winter of 2007. After a series of medical problems and drama, I was gaining weight (again)! My husband put out the challenge of learning to run, he knew that I would never back down from a challenge...and so my days as a runner begun!

Running for me did not come so naturally, I had spent the last 5 years having babies and basically forgetting to take care of myself, so running was more of an experience than natural. My first time running was in April of 2007, my husband loaded up the kid’s bikes one Sunday after church and we drove to the high school track. After getting the kids going it was my turn...off I went....and stop! Yeah, I only made half a lap 1/8 of a mile. Running was draining. I pushed myself into a walk/run to finish out that 1/4mile, and I was done for the day! My body was not use to all this movement! Running...ugh!

The track and I continue these silly games on and off for nearly a month before I was able to walk/run a mile! However, at this point I wanted more! I had caught the running bug! I loved the feeling I had after I finished; I loved the idea of goals and distance, and achievement! I was ready to run in public on the sidewalks! Yes, I was going to let people see me run (shocking)! The first time I ventured out into the world to run I was amazed on how different it was, with hills, cars, and pavement changes! I made it a half mile out and a half mile back at a hair slower than a snail’s pace! At this point I kept up the running once or twice and week through the summer, fall, and winter; however my times weren't improving and my distances weren’t increasing...it was time for a new goal.

In the summer of 2008 I trained for my first race! Putting the goal to not worry about time and run my first 5k! I trained the whole summer and on a rainy August morning I ran in the Crim Festival of Races 5k run and I finished! My husband was so proud of me, and I felt like I had finally kicked out that "woe is me” spirit from high school...I was officially a runner! I continued to push myself to run more and has the fall of 2008 came my kids were both in school and I had time to run! I learned to run in snow, ice, rain, in Michigan heat, with kids, and even while on vacation! 2008 quickly turned to 2009 and I was rockin the 5k's. My time wasn't fabulous but I was running and now at least 3 times a week!

Another stopping point came again in the winter of 2010. Running was fun, and good exercise but I liked goals! So, like a crazy lady I signed up for a 10mile race in August (Michigan's hottest month) and a half-marathon in October! What, who does that? I begin running all the time 3 or 4 days a week. Adding distance, working on sprints. By the time of my 10 mile race in August I was pleased, I had successfully trained to 9 miles, I was ready! The race went great and I was so excited for my half marathon! I begin to build more miles and 2 weeks before the race successfully ran 12 miles! I was now one of those crazy runners! The day of the half marathon, the weather was cool and prefect to run! I rocked out those 13.1 miles in 2:18! I was thrilled!

After my race that enthusiasm stayed and I continued to run, keeping up with at least 15-20miles a week!

However, as are move to Germany drew closer my running became more and more a thing of the past! By June 2011 I was running maybe 1 time a week for 30 minutes (shameful)! In July of 2011 we arrived in Stuttgart, Germany! Before we made the move we decided that I wouldn't have a car while we lived here, but I had never really thought about how all that walking would affect my running! I was so exhausted in July, I couldn't even think about running...That is until all the bread from the bakery caught up with me! Running...ugh

August 2011 was the month of the running is a must! Than in September my kids started school, and I had free time...thus beginning a new season in running for me...hills! Stuttgart, Germany is filled with hills, the entire city center sits nestled in the valley of the surrounding hills the same hills that I run. I had to learn to run all over again, because now I was having to battle the uphill climb! I would love to write here that after time the hills became easier, but the answer is clearly no, I still hate the hills!

In January 2012 fresh off some New Year’s resolutions I set the goal to run the Stuttgart half marathon on June 17, 2012! Training began! I fought the hills, the rain, and the cold! I explored some amazing nooks and carnies, and I learned to run in Europe! I added distance slowly in the winter months, just trying to make sure I was running 3 times a week and that I wasn't hurting myself. Than in April I kicked it into high gear! I built my big run up to 10 miles and 2 smaller ones at 3 and 5miles. By May I was ready having already ran a 12mile, 6mile, and 3 mile week I felt great!

Yesterday was the day of my first race in almost 2 years; it was also the day of my first race in Germany! I was a nervous lady! The race was very similar to the states, minus the fact that all my race markers were in Kilometers and not miles. The course was good, not as flat as I would have liked but still nice! There were a ton of people running and great support from the crowd! I did ok yesterday. I was slow and had pain in my ankle but I finished! I accomplished yet another running goal! But, most importantly I was proud of myself! I was proud that in the last year despite it all (the move, the schedule, the physical abilities, the changes) I had finished a half marathon!

For me running is not about time, not about distance, it is about showing myself that I am not that little girl in freshman year gym class afraid to run in front of people embarrassed that I am slow, embarrassed that it somehow makes me less than them. I run because its empowering, I run because it's freeing, and I run because I CAN!