My Running Journey

I AM A RUNNER- took me a long time to get that in my head. 

 

 

When I was younger (K-12) I was not very active in any team sports, but I did have a love for weight lifting.  I remember in middle school when I was the only girl who could squat over 100lbs, but that was as close as it got to me being active.  By the time I hit high school, I was just ready to graduate and finished in 3 years.  I went off to college, got the freshman 16 (well should I say 30) and my focus was to just finish my degree.  

Over the years, I would walk and run here and there, but it was nothing serious in my opinion.  Ran a few races, but they are not near as important as the ones' I have done during and after my weight loss.  It really wasn't until the Fall 2011 when I found myself running and that would be on the treadmill.  As discussed on my other page regarding my weight loss, this is when I decided to take charge on my weight issue.  

So, I started out running on a treadmill at the private gym I was training at.  They offered a tread class twice a week and I would manage to get in another day.  I never really ran outside unless it was during boot camp and I preferred the treadmill over the pavement.  I ran Dorothy's Dash November 12, 2011, a 5k with my boot camp group.  Then February 2012, I ran the Hot Chocolate 5k with my sister.  It was later that month when I joined Black Girls Run and started running with them on the pavement.  That's when I realized what I was missing and I have no regrets.  I love running.  It gives me energy, helps relieve stress, it's my time, allows me to have time to think and most of all, I can do my own thing with no pressure.  

I have ran well over a dozen of races since Fall of 2011.  The crazy thing about all of this is, I had surgery on my knee in 2004 and after that surgery the doctor told me I would not be able to run at all.  I went through another surgical procedure in 2009 which was very successful, but I was so overweight & I was still having some issues with my knee.  It wasn't until I lost the weight that I realized that I can prove the doctor wrong and I DID.  I am a running fanatic and I do not plan on stopping anytime soon.  Yes, I have some pain in my knee, but I work through it.  If there is something you want really bad, you will make it work.  Now, I did get approval from my current Orthopedic doctor to run, but at this time, I can't go over 16miles, so half marathons are my friends.  

I have completed 6 5k's, 4 10k's, 2 15k's, 3 relays and 4 Half Mary's from 2012-2013.  As of September 1st, I have a half marathon every month till the end of the year and will throw in a 10k and relay to finish this year out strong.