Pre-Race Random Thoughts: Why I Run

When I had my second (and final) baby Ty I realized six months later, while the "baby build up" was still hanging around my hips, waist, behind and thighs, that it was high time I take time out for me. I would stare at my body and say "child bearing years are over, it's time to get my body back"....and that started my journey towards living a stronger healthier lifestyle.

When I was younger, I was always the athletic type. I was into gymnastics, softball, basketball, volleyball, cross country, and track and field. However since marrying my husband who is habitually deployed and having to care for our two kids at home, my home life took the steering wheel, while my activity level took a back seat. Now that my kids are no longer babies and toddlers, relying solely on my care, I can now get back in my work out regime and set some goals for myself. While doing that, also set the example for my kids that Mommy is taking care of herself too.

Recently I have witnessed many of my family and friends do tremendous things. People all around me are training for something or have just completed something fabulous! My husband completed his first marathon in DC at the Marine Corps Marathon in 2003. My brother in law (his oldest brother) Jerry has competed in two Iron Man competitions and already has his sites on a third one. My other brother in law (his youngest brother) Sam finished a half Ironman triathlon. Two of my sister in laws, Sara and Kathryn competed in a multi sport competition; running, biking and swimming. A friend of the family, Deb (SIL's SIL) finished the 3 day 60 mile walk for breast cancer. My Canadian friends are running and kicking butt in their 10K and half marathons. A lady on my PTA is a Tri-athlete and her personality is just so contagious you just want to feel what the hype is all about (notice I said feel....it can't all be good!). The "running moms" at the Y continue to inspire me. Each of them achieving every goal they set out to do. They have all just set their mind to do something and they just do it!

I kept thinking: I want to do something amazing. I want to "be somebody". I've been competing in these little dinky 5ks for two years now. I want to train hard and compete in something AWESOME. It's hard to not want to be apart of this awesomeness!!! Coincidentally, I hooked up with my running partner (fellows MOMS Club friend) Kristina this past fall at the Race for the Cure and since then I have gotten really serious about my distance running. All the while having a blast together. We're both challenging each other to run further and further, yet enjoying the journey along the way. Then finally it happened. February 2nd, I reached a personal best in my distance running: NINE MILES. A year ago I couldn't run 3 times around our mile and a half track. So I decided, THIS is MY year. I CAN do this...so........I took the plunge and registered for my first ever half marathon; the OKC Memorial on April 26th. Now that I have it under my belt and can focus more on the enjoyment of running without the pressure of distance, I have seen the beauty in the sport. It's contemplative. It's insightful. It's alone time. It's freedom. It's a personal challenge; one that keeps me happy instead of feeling overwhelmed. It's something I want for myself.

Finishing the half marathon was the one and only thing I have ever committed to do, completely for selfish reasons. Everything in my life is dictated by someone else's needs, wants, time-tables, etc but this is the ONE thing that I can dictate and I can commit to without feeling guilty about it.....and maybe as a result my boys will be proud of me.

So that is why I run. I run for me. No guilt about it!



This is a picture of my running partner Kristina and I after my first half marathon this year (April 26, 2009), in Bricktown.