New Shoes & New Running..

After a very eventful week, I have made it!! Mid-last week, I decided to skip a step and I hit my foot extremely hard on the concrete causing me to bruise my ankle up. Well, I let that hold me back for a few days - I figured since I could barely move it, I probably shouldn't run. I would run about 2 miles before I had to quite because of the pain. Not fun!

So, then last Friday I decided to go on a run and I couldn't find my iTouch. Needless to say, the run was pretty boring! My ankles started hurting about 2.5 miles into the run, so I took my shoes off to do barefoot running thinking I just wasn't use to shoes.

I took Saturday off because it was my rest day anyways, but I wore my Vibrams around the house. They are very comfortable, but I am trying to gradually get back into running shoes and have my FiveFingers strictly for training purposes.

Sunday I ran 5 miles in my new shoes! It was the first time I wore these shoes and they work perfect! I was scared that something wouldn't be right about them, but with all the foot problems I have recently have had you would think 'something' wouldn't be okay. My new shoes are shown on this blog. They are the Brooks Ghost 3. I have never owned Brooks before, but according to the salesmen Brooks are the Chicago term for Asics.

I actually backed my training up 2 weeks too, so tomorrow I have to run 3 miles at an 8:20 pace. It shouldn't be too bad, but everytime I have mile repeats it is extremely humid! We'll see!

21+1=Unfortunately, 22!

Today's the big day!! I'm 22 and I'm not quite sure how to feel about it! Of course I am excited because, well it's my birthday!! But after 21 there's not too much to look forward to except cheaper car insurance at 25. If you've ever talked to me about something really cool that's happened or something that is crazy, I usually have some life experience in the same area. I really believe that I have lived through almost everything, except these 22 things that I want to accomplish while I'm 22. I'm all about setting goals and making lists, so here it goes:

1. SKYDIVE..this is #1 because it's something I have always wanted to do! I'm a very risky person and live for adrenaline rushes, so I'm going to actually do it this year!

2. Run a FULL marathon. Back in the day when I played basketball, while running the court in the 3rd quarter (after playing the whole game) I remember passing by my coach and quickly saying, "can I please go out for a bit?" The timeout immediately after saying that, he answered my question with, "I thought you could run forever, Abby." Why I remember that? I don't know, but I do--and he is completely right, well at least running for 2 hours! Why run a half marathan and stick with that when I can challenge myself to run a full and complete the next step? Exactly.

3. Travel somewhere outside of the states. I applied for a two-week study abroad trip to the Dominican Republic, so I hope to do that. If I don't get accepted for that, I guess I'll just have to make a trip to Mexico for spring break :) I want to travel outside the states because I am one of those narrow minded people who think other countries still ride donkeys instead of driving, and their subdivisions consist of a group of tents. I know that may not be true, and probably isn't, but I won't know until I see for myself!

4. Graduate!! I've been waiting for senior year of college since the first day of preschool! Okay, maybe not that long--but I cannot wait until I graduate! A lot of people have told me that college is the best time of your life and it may be, but not when you still have to wake up early, get back late, and then stay up until midnight to do homework to wake up the next morning and do it all again. I'm ready to be done and move onto the real world!

5. Go to a Cards/Cubs game. I've seen every national league team play, whether it be at Busch or Wrigley but I have never been to a Cards/Cubs game!! I'm deteremined to go this year, but only if it's at Busch Stadium-Chicago can be a scary town when you are a little blonde girl wearing a Cardinals jersey!

6. Go out...a lot! This is the last year I can be irresponsible as a college student, so I plan to go out and live it up! My two best friends will be leaving a semester before me, so I want to spend the most time with them that I can. I couldn't live life last year because I decided to do something that took up way too much of my time, therefore this year will be double the fun!

7. Cook a meal other than microwave meals. Yeah, never done that. I don't mean a full out meal, but I want to something like a casserole or lasagna...nothing fancy.

8. Hang out with my friends from grade school. So, I'm from a really small town and in grade school was really close to 4 other girls. We were actually called CANKL...haha--yeah, THAT cool! Well, since we left 8th grade each of us split into our own group, but we are still all around the same area and get along...just hang out with different crowds. I want to hang out with these girls sometime, it's crazy how much everyone changes.

9. Shop in Chicago. I've only been to Chicago once for shopping and that was when I was 10 and the other times were just to go to Wrigley. I want to ride the train to Michigan Avenue and go shopping downtown!

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21+1=BIRTHDAY!!

I just ran 10 miles, but that doesn't matter because...

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY WEEK!! Whoo!! I'll be 21+1, and of course my birthday slogan for the birthday bash is "some mistakes are too funny to only make once!" I'm very excited to spend a day with my friends downtown!! Anyways..I made a list of all the good things that came out of this last year while I was 21..here's the list (in no particular order)-

"21 things that happened while I was 21"
1. My brother safely came home from Afghanistan.
2. I went to MARDI GRAS!
3. I Started school at the University of Illinois.
4. I Moved into 4-H House and met some pretty amazing girls!
5. A LOT of my friends turned 21!! Yayy!! :)
6. I got out of my leg cast, re-learned how to walk, and started running..
7. I ran my first half marathon and signed up for my second!
8. I had 3 internships.
9. I gained the BEST sister-in-law I could ask for, Ms. Jennifer Coers!
10. I went to Wrigley Field for the first time..but twice within one week!
11. I rode my first Amtrak!
12. My car got struck by lightening while going to St. Louis, ask Jenn!
13. I maintained the best GPA I've EVER had!
14. I met the founder of Pampered Chef..Doris Kelly Christopher.
15. I starred in a commercial.
16. I won 7 Radio Questions!
17. I sat in two all-inclusive Cardinals sections, and went to 6 games!
18. I went to Mike Shannons!!!
19. I won $2.00 my first time at the Casino! Beginners Luck? Maybe?
20. I met some of my best friends: Kirsten, Sabra, Sara, Hannah!!
21. I didn't have to altar my ID to get in anywhere! whoo!!

Illinois Runners..

67% humidity will keep most people inside, except runners on a strict training schedule! Once again, I decided to sleep in (that's my lazy side coming out ;)) so I had to run tonight. Since I am using the Runners World training schedule, I make myself run according to what is planned. Today, it was 4 miles...not bad, right? Wrong--there are warnings out to check on friends, not to drink caffiene, and keep your animals inside when the heat is horrible like today. However, I knew if I didn't go out I would regret it. I finished 4 miles in about the usual time, it was hard, but I kept thinking that it will not be humid in Virginia.

I've decided that Illinois weather is crazy, crazy, crazy! Yes, you hear this a lot but it's so true! It's either cold or hot, sometimes in the middle but not too often. For a girl with natural wavy hair, I notice the humidity probably a lot more than anything else. Late May, I was freezing at Wrigley Field in a winter coat, Late July I'm burning up in a tank top and running shorts.

Well, that's my rant on the weather. I will just think of running in the humidity like this is really equal to double the distance. :)

Sunday I am running 10 miles, so I plan on waking up at the buttcrack of dawn to do that.

Have a great weekend!

St. Louis Cardinals!!

This week was very out of the ordinary. I started waking up early to run last week, however this week was about half and half. On Sunday I ran in the evening because I was busy during the morning. On Tuesday I was suppose to run 4 miles, and this is when running becomes interesting. I was exactly 2 miles away from my apartment at 6:15am when my stomach decides to go crazy on me and hurt! TWO MILES! I couldn't run and there were NO businesses on the side of town I was on, and to top it off none of my friends were awake for them to pick me up. So, I walked the remaining 2 miles back home in hopes I would get to the apartment before my stomach hurt worse. I made it, but the rest of the day I felt miserable. :(

Then there was my day off on Wednesday, and I was asked to go to a Cardinals game with a friend! I was very excited because she had box tickets and I LOVE the Cardinals!! So, I went to the game. It was amazing, of course! One bummer is that we were in traffice for two and a half hours because of flooding!! We didn't get to the game until the 6th inning--so it wasn't as much fun as it should have been--but I just love Busch! Our seats were amazing though, they were all-inclusive indoor/outdoor. It was really nice in there, thank you Curry Ice & Coal & Sabra! :)

Just to add a bonus of being a Cardinals fan: They won 7 games straight - that means BOGO dinner at Lumiere! Whooooo!!! Why wouldn't anyone be a fan?? haha..

I didn't get back until 2:30am this morning--so there was no way I was going to wake up 3 hours later to run. Therefore, I went on a run at 7pm. I was suppose to do mile repeats tonight and I did one mile at a 8:20 pace--so 2 miles total and about died. The humidity was horrible, and there was no way I was going to hurt my lungs. It's times like this I think "this is how I will give up in a race if I give up now." There was no way I could do the repeats with the humidity, so instead of running a 3 fast miles, I ran 5 slow. It balances out--I'm just sayin'. :)

Tomorrow I plan to run in the evening again (after I try to get some dinner out of my brother!) :)

I'm thinking about getting another pair of Vibram FiveFingers..but I dunno...

Mile Repeats..

I made it through the first week of waking up at 5:30 five days of the week to run. It wasn't too bad, in fact I was wide awake for the rest of the day! That is until about 8:00pm came around and I was ready for bed!

This week will be the first time I do mile repeats. I have to run 3 miles at an 8:30 pace..I don't think it will be too bad, since I will do an easy run for 1/2 a mile between them--but I'm sure there will be a challenge to them. Overall, the 3 mile day will turn into 5 miles overall with the extra easy runs in there.

Today is my day off from running and I feel pretty lazy, however, tomorrow morning I'll be ready to get those 4 miles in & Sunday is 11 miles. I am looking for more half marathons to do during the fall/winter, but there aren't too many around the midwest, at least around Illinois.

Fifteen Twenty Five...Women's Distance Festival

Last weekend was the Women's Distance Festival and I decided to sign-up last minute. Luckily I turned my registration in one day before they maxed the number of registrants! Lucky? Just a tad! Well, I'm glad I ran for several reasons:

1. I got to experience a race with BOTH my aunts!

2. I got 4th place in my age group! I ran the race in 15:25...very excited!

3. It was neat to see all the ladies running, whether they were athletes or simply running as a cancer survivor.

4. I won a Road ID! I've wanted one of these since I started running!

5. It was the first race I wore my VFF in.

6. Lastly, well...it was just a lot of fun!

Awesome, that's how the race went! I really enjoyed the race, although my calves were hurting from the pavement in my shoes and running 3 minutes/mile faster than my normal time.

So what's next? I mean I've always got SOME news, my life is just like that! So here it is: I started running in the mornings, and by mornings I mean 5:30am. Yeah, I know--crazy? A little! I've never been a morning person, in fact if my alarm isn't set I usually sleep in until 2 or 3pm...just because I love sleeping and that's how I roll. So, waking up early really isn't bad..my runs are better and it's a lot cooler outside! Running is a different sport in the morning, and I know now why they say listening to an iPod takes away from the beauty of being outside running!

Sunday I got up at 6:30am and ran 9 miles before church and let me tell you, I was exhausted. Monday was off, Tuesday I ran 5 at 5:45am and today I ran 3 at 6:10am. Tomorrow I am going to run 4 easy miles and 2 at a pace of 9:09..because that is my pace goal for my next half marathon in September at Virginia Beach!! Rock 'n' Roll? Uhh..I think so!!

I finally have a training plan, since I got hurt from the Nike plus training last spring, I've always just made my own plans. However, I started following the Runners World training to break 2 hours in a half marathon. So far, so good. However, I am only a week into this training! The average miles are 26-30 a week, which isn't bad considering a long run is usually around 10 miles.

Well, that's it--I've gotta hit the hay because, yes it's summer and I am living up the college life still, but I'm also a runner trying to make a goal of 1:59:59. :)

Peace.Love.Rock'n'Roll goals.

Saturday=RACEday*

"Believe deep down in your heart that you are destined to do great things." -Joe Paterno, Penn State Football Coach

I haven't blogged in a while, but don't you worry--I've been running! In fact since I last blogged, I ran 40+ miles AND signed up for a race! As you can see by my STL Cardinals drawing is my running goal for last week. I have been setting a goal of 20 miles a week and pretty much sticking to it! I ran at home two weekends ago and it was absolutely boring!! I literally stared at cornfields for 6 miles of running. I can say that I do appreciate running in the city now! There are much more attractions to look at let's just say stoplights can be a perk to a quick catch-your-breath. This isn't anything surprising to me, unlike a lot of my friends, I have always enjoyed running in town. I think that the blocks of a city make the run seem shorter and there is always someone around in case you do have an emergency.

So I ran, I ran, I ran some more and ouch! my knee is a killer! Well, often times I forget to stretch before I run and that's obviously not a good thing! To avoid this in the future, I wrote the word STRETCH on my Asics as you can see in the picture. It's really small, but it is on the toes of the foot toward the right (when you look at the pic!). This has reminded me to stretch before I run and definitly has decreased my pain. Unfortunately, I have started running in my VFF. Yeah, I made some socks to wear so I don't get blisters..how clever! I should have been an engineer!! Well, the socks are pretty janky but they do the job! haha...

What's my next gig in these FiveFingers? Well...I spontaneously signed up for a race that is this Saturday in Springfield. It is the Women's Distance Festival in Springfield. Both my aunts are running this race but I was just going to go and support them. But then on Monday I was on a 6 mile run and decided to finish the last .4 miles up by running my hardest, so I did. It was then that I was out of breath and exhausted that I thought, "do I want to do this to myself on Saturday?"..haha, of course NOT! A few hours later, after watching YouTube video's and scoping out the race details, I thought "Yeah...I do!" So, there I am registering.

Since I run long distance, it's way easy for me to run 10 miles no problem. However, 2 miles at a fast pace is hard! Tonight I ran 2 miles to figure out a general time that I will come in at and I clocked in at 16:35. 16 minutes and 35 seconds--not too shabby for a long distance runner! I'm going to run 2 miles again on Thursday to try to bring it down to at least 16 minutes and maybe at the race I will be in the 15's...who knows! I'm happy with 16 minutes though! :) If I would have gotten that time last year, I would have scored 5th place in my age group! (20-24 years old)

Saturday it is. I'll wake up at 5a.m. to run a race at 8a.m.

It is my aunts first race and her friends are running with her. My other aunt who ran the 1/2 with me will be running too! I'm very excited--people are catching the running fever!

Half of the Half + 10 Weeks.

There you have it, my goals for this last week and the upcoming week. Since I am starting to train for my next half marathon, I decided I should start setting goals and run a further distance than 4 miles. Therefore, I am going to start taking more 'rest' days and longer miles. In my last post I talk about running to my brothers house and I plan on doing that next week as well. I only gave myself 8 miles in case I walk a little bit.

Last weeks running went really well. My friend Britney started running, so I was able to run extra with her after I finished my long runs. I ran with her on Sunday and also Thursday. On Friday I decided that I could either run 5 miles and 2 on Saturday or 7 on Friday and have an off day Saturday. I know when I go home it's hard to run, so I chose the 7. It actually went really well and I now know that I'm able to do 7 miles, half of my half.

I got an e-mail from the Rock 'n Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon and it said there was only 10 weeks left, TEN SHORT WEEKS! That freaked me out, I need to get a move on the groove! I hope I do not have any injuries while training this time. My knee is starting to hurt when I put pressure on it, so I am just going to 'ignore' it...until after Labor Day that is!

This coming week is really busy, so my running will be a lot different than the previous weeks. I plan to start a training plan similiar to the one for next week from now on! Ahhhhhhhh....ten weeks until I'll be running on the beach!!! Maybe even in my VFF!!! :)

Peace.Love.TenWeeks.

This is the run that never ends..

I've always wanted to run to my brothers house but it is about 10ish miles away, and I have not ran that far in over a month! Well, one day I convinced myself that if I didn't run there I would regret it all weekend. Which I would. So, I decided to run it.

Well, first I couldn't find the road that led me straight to his town. I ended up calling him and was a mile from the road I wanted. Saying that, I already overachieved and am 5 miles away from the most I've run since May 1st.

I eventually found the road and decided to take the country roads that way I wouldn't look like a freak running on the side of a road. I'm in the country and think the town should be getting close so I go down a road to get on the highway and head into the town. WRONG. I thought I was a lot closer than I actually was. I kept running thinking I would be there in like 2 miles, nope! It took me 5 more miles than I thought! Ugh, I was so frusterated!

I finally got to his town, it only took me a total of 2 hours. Maybe late August I'll do this run again. It was a nice run but I just didn't realize the distance.

So what shoes did I wear? My VFF!! I wore socks with them and put blister rub-stuff on and only got one blister! One horrible blister! Not bad compared to what happened last time!

This week my running goal is 20 miles-the same as last week but I'm not going to run 10 miles in one day...maybe 6 though.

The day everyone runs..yeah, even YOU!

When is a time that the world runs? Well, you know those made up national holidays like 'National Running Day' or even 'National Work Out Day'..yeah those days are pointless and they aren't national. Lazy people don't look at their calendar and say, "Oh, it's running day I've gotta put these chips down!" No, they don't--so what is the day everyone runs?

Those days are the ones like yesterday...rainy days. I am also a victim of this and I'll tell you about my little sprint yesterday. I was leaving work (and I walk home because I don't have a car on campus) so I decided just to walk to the bus stop and go from there. So I'm talking on the phone and it's drizzling outside, no big deal. All of sudden I yell OHHHMYYYGOSHHH!! and it starts pouring down rain (literally like the kind that hurts) so I sprint toward a tree where I can stay semi-dry for a few moments before braving my way to the bus stop!

Everyone seemed to be running and I'll just let you know that was the only exercise I got yesterday!

I have 11 miles left to run this week and plan to get at least 4 in tonight, I wish I could do more but I don't have time since I'll get home at like 6:30 tonight.

Peace Out Girl Scouts..

Candy Buttons..

You know, like those small dots on the large piece of paper that you use to eat as a child. Yes, those dots and maybe I shouldn't write 'candy' as a running blog title but as I was with a friend this weekend we were eating some of those. "Sara...we're just like these dots: random and obnoxious."

I felt my run today was another comparison to those candy dots. First off, I made a deal with myself that I would run a total of 20 miles this week. Since my weeks are usually all different and sometimes I don't get the time to run, I'll just make a distance goal.

Well, I ran 4.3ish yesterday and I knew I should run today but didn't feel like it. All of a sudden a thunderstorm came rolling into the area around 3 or 4ish today. I obviously wasn't going to run in the rain because I have my iTouch, so I would never do that! After work I just read part of my book and ate some dinner, then all of a sudden it was 730 and I just had this motivation that if it wasn't raining I was running.

Candy buttons are obnoxious, well what was I wearing? A tie-dyed t-shirt that the cops decided I looked like a stoner and stared at me as they passed by. I'm about the opposite of a druggie..but whatever works!

Well, I walked outside and sure enough it wasn't raining. There I go with a distance goal of 5 miles. What?? I haven't set five miles in at least two weeks. So first off, my run was spur of the moment & longer than I have run in a few weeks.

Then..I decide to run my route backwords, it was fun and definitely a change! I then saw a good friend of mine running too! Just when my motivation was going down..he high five's me, and I don't know what it is about high five's..but they put me in a good mood and I can all of a sudden run again!

For the next 10 minutes or so I wouldn't say my run was anything like candy buttons, it was boring and repitive. Well, then I decided to go down a street and cut through some blocks. One reason I enjoy running is you get to see sights in town that you would not have known were there otherwise! I found a restaurant I usually drive 10 miles for, right down the street from me!! Who would have know!

Well, I finished with a strong 5.4 miles and am very happy with the 554 less calories that my body is carrying. I hope my next run will be just as good as the candy buttons!

135 miles in 60 hours!

Yesterday, I decided to go for a 4-Mile run around campus. With my blister burned feet, I slid on my Asics (yeah..the VFF had to take a rest!). It was an odd feeling running in 'real' shoes again, but I did it and felt the same pain as I did before getting my VFF. My knee felt twisted and my ankles swelled but I kept going..why? Because I was going to watch a movie that night about running and didn't want to lay on the couch feeling like a lazy wimp. So here's about the movie..

Well, from another blogger I heard of a movie that features 40 runners running the badwater. This is a race that is 135 miles in distance and temperatures can increase to 140 degrees F in less than 60 hours. Wow! Let's just say, I will no longer complain about running my 'small' races. These individuals train with tactics you and I would never think about, let alone ever volunteer to try! One lady was running on the road (during training) with a tire tied to her, that way she was use to the weight dragging her behind. Another guy turned the dryer on and moved the dryer tube thing that blows hot air over to the treadmill where about his chest would go...with a rainsuit on and dryer tube in place he took off on the treadmill in his stuffy basement.

Then comes the race. The movie is very realistic (because it's a true story) but it shows the runners throwing up after running themselves too hard, toenails that have fallen off, blisters on the entire foot, and even a guy who lost his leg while in the military had a prosthetic with blisters where his 'real' leg moved into the prosthetic! These runners don't give up! A lady had blisters so bad they had to cut the top of her shoe off..but she kept running.

As the race went on, many people ended up having to drop out because they had to get treated with an IV or any other disqualifying act. Do these runners go home? Nope, they voluntarily help out the individuals still in the race!

I'm not finished with the movie, I still have a little to watch but these people are very inspiring. I now will be thankful when I go on a run and get to come back to an air conditioned building!

ouch!

So...I'm an idiot and have horrrrrrible blisters on both my feet. They even hurt when I wear flip flops!! Looks like I will be checking into the five finger socks or...just going back to the Asics. Hopefully I can find some way to still wear the five fingers without blistering my feet. :(

I'll post later what I figured out---until then all you healthy feet people, run your little hearts out! :)

Peace!

Up and Over.

Yesterday I ran to a friends house which is exactly 5.5 miles away. It was perfect because that's the distance I was going for. Well, 5 at least..the extra .5 was just for good measure I suppose. So I ran in the FiveFingers because they are so comfortable. However, those blisters I blogged about yesterday, yeah not so good! My feet were still rubbing against the shoe and I not only irritated those blisters but I got more! Ugh, I love these shoes but I don't know what else to do! I might try the socks that fit with these shoes but other than that, I may have to try a smaller size.
Besides the blisters, my run was really good! I ran through town, in the country, and over an interstate!! The view from the interstate is the picture I posted. It was really pretty and just an a fun way to put a twist to the run!
I can now say that I (think) I'm training for my next half marathon! (Virginia Beach--Sept. 5!!)

BTW: I'm thinkin' of my 22nd Birthday Bash--If you're my friend reading this, let me know your sugesstions!

Peace Out!

But...why?

"Why do you run?" This is the top question I get asked. I ran for a few months before I was asked this the first time and it caught me off guard. Why do I run? It's fun..why do you play sports? It's the same concept. That was my answer and exactly why I run. I'm not out there to stay in shape, although it is a plus. I'm not out there for competition. I am running to set goals, challenge myself, and prove that I have the strength and confidence to pursue anything.

When I am taking those steps to form miles it is a time to think about everything. I usually compare how running is like life. The hills are the challenges faced in life, we struggle and complain but eventually overcome them and run a stable flat road. Relaxing after goals are complete is like running downhill, you've done your best, worked your hardest and it's time to let gravity push you along all while time is still ticking and the run is still in progress. The wind gets in our way, but we push through. Life to me is like running. Why do I run? To prove myself that everything is possible!

For those individuals who don't understand the fun in putting one foot in front of the other for a two hour time frame, I can also relate to you. I started my hobby three years ago, my freshman year in college. I was surrounded by friends who enjoyed going to the gym, and was asked to go along. I went and set a goal to run two miles on the treadmills. Little did I know, months later I would be participating in 5k's and training for a half-marathon!

Running has become a part of me, it's who I am and who I want to be. It has proven to me that anything is possible and to keep trying until I succeed. I may not be the best runner out there, but I don't intend to be. So enjoy those sunny days and go outside a run. It's free, you get a tan, and the feeling after that first mile is priceless!

FiveFingers...or should I say FiveToes?

Well, I've ran with about every brand of running shoe. I started with Nike and got the sensor chip and itouch to go with it. Then, those wore out and I got some Asics which can I just say, comfortable? Now I have moved onto a new type of shoe: Vibram FiveFinger shoes. I have done so much research on these shoes that when I went to buy them a lady was asking the employee questions and I just wanted to jump in and answer it how it is.

I wore these shoes for the first time today (because I just bought them today) on a four mile run. The felt like socks, literally. I really enjoyed running in them, especially since I have horrible feet to begin with. I did not have any pain except where I got blisters. On the inside of my arch, I got one large blisters on each foot as you can see on the picture above. Because of this, I am going to put some mole skin padding in the shoe to prevent it from happening in the future. I did run into some rock paths, and I could feel the rocks but it did not hurt. To be honest, it felt good on my feet! I can't wait to run in the sand with them on the beach!

Overall, I am very happy with my purchase and really enjoy them! I plan to run my next half marathon in them!

How'd this Craze Start?

So as this blog may represent, I like to run. Have I always? That's a big NO. Sure I ran track in grade school and was involved in sports in high school but somewhere between moving to college and currently I decided to start running races. Why? Because it's addicting!

So I'll start from the beginning. I moved to college in 2007 and I've always been active, so when my suitmate Jenny asked if I would go on a run with her I agreed. About a quarter mile into the run, in the most exhausted state ever I asked, "How far are we going?" She then decided to let me know about her cross country team in high school. Cross Country?? I can't even run across campus!! All in all, I pushed hard and that is the first memory I have of actually running for fun.

Freshman year, I was active with a competitive cheerleading squad in college therefore it was necessary to stay in shape. I hated going to the gym for anything but practice but all my friends went, so I hopped on the bandwagon.

Soon it was summer time and I started running in the neighborhood that I lived in. It was about a .6 mile circle, so I ran around that several times a night. During the winter months, I would go to the gym (usually Kaci dragged me there) and I had a goal of running 2 miles on the treadmill each time. I then ran my first 5k late April 2009 and ended up doing extremely well. Above is a photo of me with my 2nd place trophy!

In summer 2009, I ran a total of five 5k's including the MLB All Star 5k in St. Louis. Each race I ran, my time decreased. I finished my very last 5k with a time of 26:15, my PR. Three days later I had foot surgery and therefore had to re-learn how to walk and running was not even an option to me for at least four months.

On Thanksgiving Day, I asked my Aunt Melissa for an entry to the Illinois Marathon 2010. She agreed and I was registered- which forced me to train for a half! In January 2010 I finally started training. I followed the Nike + training schedule but ended up getting shin splints horribly, so I had to tone it down a notch. I quit running for four weeks and picked it up again two months before the half marathon. All in all I finished the half marathon with a time of 2:09. I was very pleased with my time since it was my first one, even though my goal was under 2:00.

All in all it was a great experience, and I am now signed up for the Virginia RnR half marathon on Labor Day weekend!! Something even better about the Illinois Marathon? My aunt decided to run it too!! She has never really ran in her life, and something motivated her to do this! I am so proud of her and she has honestly inspired me to believe the overused saying, "anything is possible."

So what else motivates me? Runner's World daily quotes.

So you saw a picture of my first race ever...now there is a picture of my aunt and I after completing the Illinois Marathon a year later.