I started running when I started high school. I joined the cross-country team because my parents told me I had to be involved in something while in high school. I knew cross-country had something to do with running, so I figured it was something I could do. Little did I know what I was getting myself into- hehe!
About 4 weeks after I started training with the team, I found out that in meets you were to run 3.1 miles non-stop in the woods.... which I thought sounded pretty crazy. I wanted to quit many times that year, but ended up sticking it out & became a good runner. By the time I graduated from high school, I had a 5K PR of 19:01, and had ran in the Michigan state meet both Junior and Senior years. I also ran indoor & outdoor track all through high school, but hated it... my coach told me it was the necessary evil. Running in circles just never appealed to me.
After high school, I ran cross-country & track for Grand Valley State University for one year. After that first year though, I felt so burnt out from running that I didn't want to do it anymore. I stopped running & concentrated on school, work, the dance team (oh yea, forgot to mention I used to dance too!) and joined a sorority. I pretty much NEVER ran anymore.
After college, I started working in the "real" world & didn't work out very much. I ended up gaining weight, as we all do... Not a lot, but enough on a 5'0 sized body to make me uncomfortable with myself. So I got a gym membership & started working out again, which lead to running again. I ran "for fun" and "for fitness" and never for time. I didn't even wear a watch or really know how far I was going. I told myself to run for the joy of it. Suddenly, running was enjoyable again!
I entered a local 10K race, just to see where I was, and purposefully ran it easy. I didn't try to push myself at all, just tried to relax & have a good time. I LOVED it. I remembered how much I love the atmosphere at races & the people & the crowds & the feeling of accomplishment when you cross that finish line. I ended up signing up for a bunch more races & 8 months later, ran my first marathon! I've become re-addicted to running & racing!
