I am a Runner

The words "you are a runner" or "running fool" or anything along those lines used to be said to me a lot in high school when I did actually consider myself a runner.  However I went to college and quickly discovered all-you-can-eat buffets, no rules, no regular schedule outside of class, and of course partying.  Needless to say running and soccer took a back seat to college.  Yes after freshman year I started to get back into things but nothing like high school.  Junior year I even ran in my first organized 5k, The Race for the Place 5k on MSU campus.  One of my bosses at IM West helped run the race so I decided to run it with some friends from work.  It was a great start to getting me back into interested in running.  Sadly it didn't last..... I did however help at the Race for the Place my senior year but did not run it but I did start running on my own around campus more.

I did start to run more on my own while I lived in Pennsylvania but still never did any organized race till my friend Rachael asked me to run the Morton Arboretum 5k.  It was a good little 5k but still didn't hold my interest long to get back into running.  That interest sparked the following spring when my roommate, Erin, and my friend, Laura,  talked me into running the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8k.  That race goes through downtown Chicago and even though it had cold and wet weather I loved every bit of it.  It got me interested though I don't know if I would have stuck with it had it not been for Erin suggesting I run the Race to Wrigley 5k a month later or Laura asking me to run the United Run for the Zoo 10k a couple months after that.  After I finished the United Run for the Zoo I knew I was hooked!

All in All last year from March 21st thru mid December I ran a total of 9 organized races for a total millage of 322.  I trained and ran my first half marathon in September.  It was so much fun training and accomplishing that feat.  I was hooked for sure maybe even a little crazy.  I even expect the term "you are a runner" and don't laugh.  It is great to be back to where I once was not all that long ago.  Now I wouldn't agree to the term "you are a runner" if I wasn't going to be ambitious this year as well to continue on my way running along.

Katie, Laura, Me, Erin
After the Chicago Half Marathon Sept 12th, 2010

In 2011 I have set an unofficial goal to run 750 miles.  I also started out with a goal to run one organized race a month for 12 months.  I have not ruled that out but I did this year due to lack of money and the fact I live in Chicago where we have this thing called snow.  I stepped up my ambitions and signed up to run my first marathon.  I will be running in on of the 5 world marathon majors, the Chicago Marathon, though I wont have the same goal as all the elites do.  I will not be taking this task on alone.  I have my friend Brittani to help motivate me as well as Laura and Katie.  When I run it I will have about 2 million spectators including my family to help cheer me on to the finish.  I know I can do this.  The training for the marathon will put me 420 miles closer to my goal on 750 miles.

Besides the Chicago Marathon I plan on running the Chicago Half Marathon again and possibly the Philadelphia Half Marathon.  I will also be running the United Run for the Zoo as well as a few others that I ran last year.  One of my biggest accomplishments will not be my own running but the fact that when my mom and aunt came out to visit last year they saw me run the Hot Chocolate 15k and they both said they would want to try that the following year.  I was so shocked, this coming from mom who only an hour before the race said she could never run 3.1 miles.  I know she can not run the whole thing but a run walk is an amazing start.  Over the winter I got my mom and dad to try out spinning and now they both go alot and really enjoy it.  I hope this will be a great way my mom can find a physical fitness hobby and can help get into shape while having fun.  So this year I will not be running the Hot Chocolate 15k but I will run the 5k so that I can run and then hang out along the course to cheer on my mom and my aunt to finish the race.

I feel that anyone can do anything it just takes a little motivation and an attainable goal.  I hope that I can surpass my goal and that my mom can finish the 5k this fall!  I found this website while writing this with lots of little motivation sayings for running.  Most of them made me laugh but some were pretty good.  So wish me luck on my quest as well help me support my mom on her new goal!