Me, Jake and Dad - I love these guys!! They are so encouraging to have with me at my races!
I used to be about 25-30 pounds overweight and didn't eat healthy. I started weight watchers, lost 30 pounds and learned more about what's healthy/what's not as well as the importance of a lot of fruit and veggies in my diet. I made a serious lifestyle change, began to lose weight and most importantly got healthy! But it wasn't until 2008 that I began to get really serious about exercise and running. I had always enjoyed going to the gym, but it wasn't until then that it became a habit. I never was a runner but always saw people running and wished it was me. But, I just "wasn't a runner"...or so I told myself.
I began running on the treadmill in our gym at work. I could barely run a mile. I would run for a few minutes, walk a few, run a few... I eventually built up to where I could run a mile without stopping, then 2, and finally 3miles!! I was so excited. I was running 3 miles on the treadmill 3 times a week. It felt like such an accomplishment to me! Then a friend from work suggested I run outside with him. I insisted I "couldn't" run outside, but he assured me I could. Those first few runs outside killed me! It was quite different to me running outside vs. the treadmill. But, I had done what I thought I couldn't do on the treadmill so I was determined to do it outside too!
Another friend from work suggested I sign up for the "Ache Around the Lake" 8k that October. I was tired of saying I "couldn't," so even though I wasn't sure I'd be able to do it, I asked my Dad (he was in the military so he had always ran for as long as I could remember) to run my first race with me. I was so excited that he agreed to do it with me! It was so cool to do my first race with my hero and one of my best friends!! And what a race it was!! I finished in 52:56 and was addicted!! It was such an awesome race. Very hilly, but nice weather (in October) and a great view! I loved it. I did one more race (Race for the Cure) before I got pregnant. I ran a little in my first trimester. My doctor assured me that it was okay to keep running but as you always hear, "listen to your body," I chose to listen to my body and stick with walking and working out until after the baby. I missed running but am happy I made that choice.
After I had Jake I was so anxious to get back to running! I couldn't wait until my 6 week check up...so I started around 4 weeks. No C-section was keeping this girl down!
Wow were those first runs discouraging!! I wanted to cry because I could barely run a mile. But my friend at work reminded me of this: I COULD run a mile!! She was so encouraging. She and I decided to do the Race for the Cure in September - my first race after Jake. It was right about this time that my best friend decided to start running with me. Since I was starting over, it was a perfect time. I was so excited to be doing this with her!! She also ran her first race at the "Ache Around the Lake" in October 2009 and she did amazing!! I was so proud of her, and very excited for her because I remembered that amazing feeling of accomplishment.
Katie and I at our first of 12 races in 12 months of our 30th year...Katie turned 30 April 2010.
I turned 30 (sigh) on November 21, 2009, and Katie and I decided to do our "12 races in 12 months." I couldn't have asked for a better partner to do this with!! Here's what we've done so far:
November 2009: Turkey Bowl Run (5k)
December 2009: Paris Mountain Road Race (5k)
January 2010: The Greenville News Road Race (5k)
February 2010: Save the Light Half Marathon (13.1)
March 2010: Reedy River Run (10k)
March 2010: The Cooper River Bridge Run (10k)
April 2010: Greer Earth Day Run (13.1)
May 2010: Mud Run (4 miles + 30 Obstacles) - I did this with friends from work
May 2010: Swamp Rabbit Trail Run (5k)
June 2010: Candlelight Run (5k)
July 2010: Red, White and Blue Shoes (5k)
We got a couple extra races in but want to finish up August, September and October races too! We are so excited to meet our goal and to continue running! 
Katie and I at 5 a.m. in Charleston for the Cooper River Bridge Run! What a great race. It was definitely one of my favorites. Plus it was an awesome girl's weekend with two great friends!
What a great running story! Isn't it crazy how we assume we can't do things and then our bodies surprise us? Congrats to you. Sounds like you're addicted now!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for being so honest about your experience of running when pregnant. I always wonder if I'll be able to keep running if I ever get pregnant. So glad you were able to get back into it after baby!
And PS- I ran the Reedy River Run 10k and Greer Earth Day 1/2 marathon this year so we've probably seen each other. I do a lot of Greenville races so we'll have to meet up sometime :)
Thanks! Yes, I am still amazed that I am "a runner", though now I believe anyone can do it if they just try! Oh yes - so addicted. :)
ReplyDeleteI would never judge anyone who runs during their pregnancy (I hope I can next time!!), but I just didn't feel right. So yeah, just go w/ whatever you feel is right for you.
I would love to meet you! Yes, please let me know if you're ever in Gvl for a race. You definitely run faster than me, but I loved how you said somewhere in your blog (I read a lot of it the other day) :) how it doesn't matter the time! Thank you for that. :)
Heather, you are an inspiration to me!
ReplyDeleteI want to be a runner too. I keep telling myself one day I will run, I know I am getting there.
Thanks again!
Leena, you can do it!! Trust me, if I can do it, you can do it! Miss you!!
ReplyDeleteHey Heather!
ReplyDeleteIt's so inspiring reading about your decision to run as well as your change in lifestyle!=) I hope to start bycicling before too long and hope to get back into the shape I need to be(I have been able to lose some weight but not neccesarily in the best way=/ i.e.bad sleeping patterns I've adopted) and have more energy too! Anyway, it's been good to read your story and experiences! Thanks!=)Love,Trina
Trina, I'm glad you enjoyed it!! That's awesome that you're going to start biking! I hope to do that when Jake is a little older and we can do it as a family - a great way for us all to stay healthy! Let me know how it goes! Oh yes - exercise helps w/ the energy level so much so you can keep up w/ ev erything you have to do. It's helpful in so many ways!
ReplyDeleteThat would be great to do it together!=) Dad is going to have Charles get the bike ready for me so hopefully I can get started soon! I definitely need the excersize!!
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