Runners High

As I mentioned in my previous post, I haven't always been the rock star runner I am now. Wink wink.  


Running for me started in college, on the treadmill, as a way to burn off the late night partying calories.  Doesn't sound like fun, and wasn't fun.  Sure, I felt satisfaction after a good calorie blasting, but that was the purpose of running for me.  Nothing more, nothing less.

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Throughout college I was an avid gym go-er, not only sweating it out on treadmill but also took full advantage of the sweet classes the Rec Center offered.  And in there I threw in some outdoor running, but it was just too hard.  


Fast forward to Spring 2009.  I was almost at the end of my first year out of college, teaching Pre-Kindergarten.  A couple of my high school friends thought it might be a fun challenge to sign up for the Belmar 5 Mile Run in July.  I was up to the challenge.

So I started running everyday at a park right next to my school.  By July I thought I was ready, but then again I wasn't sure since I had guesstimated my training runs.  I hoped I could run 5 miles!

We had awesome tye-dye shirts and totally rocked our first race!  It was a hot July day, but as I ran through Belmar I felt completely happy.  People were out on their porches cheering, spraying hoses, and even blasting some Bon Jovi (sooo Jersey).  As I saw the finish line I gave it all I got and finished in 50:39:01.  And then I experienced it.  Runner's high. And from then on

I was hooked.

Running crew + awesome cheerleaders

Giddy with excitement I began plotting my next race.  Half marathon?  No sweat.

After my runners high wore off I began to question my choice and my sanity.  But I knew I needed to see what I was made of.  Through running I discovered a competitive streak.  Not competitive in the sense of playing a sport and beating an opponent; I was competing with myself and loving every minute. 

The rest of the summer I spent training, and of course partying like a guidette with my bff's at the Jersey Shore ;)  

I had no idea how to start training, so I did a lot of researching online.  And luckily for me, Shane is a cross country runner, so he took me to a running store where I had my gait analyzed and got my first real pair of running shoes.  And a watch; no more cell phone stopwatch!

Philadelphia 1/2 Marathon Day!

 I did it!!! 2:05:31

After 13.1 there's only one place left to go...

In January I signed up for the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon with Team in Training.  From January to June I was a busy bee.  

 

I raised over $2,900 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  One of the events in April included a 5k.

In May I ran the Broad Street Run, a 10 miler, in Philly with some awesome-sauce runners!  In May Shane and I also finalized our plans to move to San Diego...the weekend of the marathon!  It's amazing how life works.

I achieved my goal of running under 5 hours, just barely, at 4:58:47.  After the race I was delirious, proud, and sore!

Since the marathon I took a hiatus from running.  I was burnt out from training and found other ways to keep active.  

But now I have the running bug again.  

 Today I completed my first mud run 5k! Soooo much fun!

And I'm signed up for this doozy on April 17th! 

Stay tuned for more running adventures :)