Friday Thread: What inspired you to start running?
www.thehalfmarathoner.com
Good morning, everyone! ☀️ I can’t believe I haven’t already asked this question, but I was wondering — how did you get here? How did you start running in the first place? Was there a challenge you wanted to take on, or a change you wanted to make in your life?
Was it a race you ran where you were a kid, or did you take it up as an adult? What inspired you to lace up your shoes for the first time and go for a run? And what keeps you going?
I’ll share my story in the chat as well, but I can’t wait to hear your story 🙌 — Terrell
A girl running on the street in Cao Lãnh, Vietnam. (Photo by Mi Pham on Unsplash)
I first started running the summer of 2014. I was 36 years old. I remember I had recently lost a lot of weight and wanted to maintain it off. I had two friends who would run and they would post constantly. I remember it seemed fun, so long story short, I began to run and really enjoyed the feeling of being "free" , one mile led to another and the running just kept going and going. I built up mileage quickly and while on my runs, I started imagining running a half marathon, I ended up signing for a full marathon The Las Vegas R&R 2015. I must've trained for about a year. I read every magazine and googled everything running! I got in shape and ran the Full marathon which was my first race - non stop in 4:50:10. I could not believe I did that! Ever since then I've been running. My last marathon was the Los Angeles which I PR'd running at 4:23 but I have ran several 5, 10K's and 10 miler races, 6 half marathons and love to run. It's one of the best things that has happened to me. That first marathon sparked a love for running that I could never shake off even if I wanted too. I think about it daily and registered to run my 3rd (God Willing) Marathon, The Los Angeles 2023. wish me luck!
Apr 25, 2022·edited Apr 25, 2022Liked by Terrell Johnson
I first started running when I made the XC and track teams in 7th grade. I retired in 9th grade, and wouldn't return to running until my mid-20s. Wanted to lose weight and signed up for my first 10K. Loved it and ended up doing several more over the years... having 3 babies in 4yrs slowed me down and I didn't pick back up again until the youngest was 3 and I got a diagnosis of pre-diabetes. Registered for my first half marathon and spent 12wks training up, during which time, I only missed 1 run and made up for it the next day by increasing the next run's mileage. I finally felt like "I'm a runner."
Ran my first half in March '22 and now I'm in a post-run slump, ready to sign up for the next race. One thing I noticed about the half is that smiled the whole way through!
Now I've set a personal goal to run a half in every state by the time I turn 50 (13.5yrs). As long as I'm alive and able, I'd love to celebrate with a full marathon. People think I'm crazy, but I like setting goals and working toward them. 1 down, 49 to go :)
I’ve shared this before (so feel free to skip by my post if you’ve read it already). I was 29 years old, had just had my son, was way overweight & miserable with how I looked & felt. My parents had been runners while I was growing up & encouraged my siblings & me to run. (My family loved the movie, “Chariots of Fire” and watched it many times.)
I had never been a runner, but had been a very active kid in swimming, hiking, walking, etc., but I had let myself go. I promised myself that I would learn to run if it killed me. So I started with a walk a block, jog a block method & worked up to a mile, then 2 miles, etc.
Almost 23 years later I can say that running has saved my life—I’ve prevented diabetes that I would certainly have had, and felt the other physical benefits of being fit & healthy. It has also saved me emotionally & mentally. Running is my de-stress time & I love it. I can’t imagine life without it. Plus I enjoy the challenge of races! 😁
i was engaged at the time and my fiance would go out running for hours. i thought i'd better take it up if i ever wanted to see him. decades later and the fiance is gone. the running stuck though:)
I am ironically not a very avid runner. Running always come very hard to me vs. other forms of exercise like weight lifting, dancing or other team sports. I decided to enroll in a running class in my last semester of college and that kick started my routine for running. I cant say I'm a runner now but from running max 2 miles, I can run 5 miles now :) Still trying to find ways to actually enjoy running on the regular
I have told my story before, so I won't tell the whole thing now, but wanted to point something out. It was one of my kids that convinced me to run a half marathon which started my love of running. I noticed that many of you have had children influence you to start or restart running. My daughter, the very one that talked me into the half, is getting married this fall and I have been thinking about what to say at her wedding. The theme that I want to work with is that although it is commonly accepted that parents are the biggest influence in their children's lives and help to form them, I think that the reverse is true as well. At least for me, my children have influenced and help form me into the person I am today.
I ran track in junior high and high school. I never really cared for it, but it was something to do. In my mid-twenties I started a very stressful job and running became my coping mechanism. I loved running for the solitude. I ran for a couple of years before I thought of competing in a race. I did a few 5k’s, a few 10k’s then the half marathon. The half became my favorite race. Last august I went rim to rim on the Grand Canyon. That was an intense day, but what a feeling of accomplishment!
This whole trail was such an inspiring read - thank you Terrell and everyone for sharing your stories. I ran in my early grad school days - in 2000-05 - to lose weight and get fitter mostly. I kind of fell in love with it but it was never more than 5K-10K. I never expected to be a long distance runner (I don’t have a runner gait). It was only in 2014, when I was beginning to get overwhelmed with work, parenting, becoming overweight and life in general that my husband reminded me how much I enjoyed running “back in the day”. I restarted with a 10K at the marine corps marathon and marveled at all the people who had done the marathon. A couple on the ride back in the metro from the race, both of whom had done the marathon, advised me to sign up for a 1/2 M first. I did my first 1/2M soon after and eventually ran the marine corps marathon too (4 times!) and am gearing up for the 12th half next Sunday. I am 51 now but feel like I still have not reached my potential. I mostly run races to finish but this newsletter inspires me to do much better!
When my younger brother got out of the Army and joined the Nat Guard he wanted to somebody to run with him to keep up with his training. Since I went xc skiing everyday during the winter it seemed like a pretty good idea. That would have been around 1985 and I've been running ever since. Funny though, I never tried a race until I was well into my 50's and never did a Half until three years ago. Don't know if I'm a late bloomer or just a slow learner!
Although I played baseball in HS, did not run much until 1971 when I matriculated to USMC Bootcamp in San Diego. Have been running ever since, although my long distance events are now 1/2 marathons.
Still enjoy hitting the trail or road, albeit much slower today!
When I was 67, my 9 yr. old granddaughter was running her first 5K with a girl's running group. I watched her near the finish line and she was running while smiling with joy approaching and crossing the finish line! Her joy impacted me to start running and racing with her. So I'm still running and watching her races, and she often watches my races and cheers for me...
… had been walking 3 MI, 5 MI, 7 MI and 10 MI for fun … friends said Disney Half was “so much fun … signed up, trained for 8 months, and did first Half at Disneyworld in Jan ‘08 at the age of 58. Do I love the Half? I guess so …Sunday I do my 104th!
At 50 I was 30 pounds overweight, getting divorced, and my blood pressure was 180/120. My dr panicked so I did too. Bought a used treadmill and could not run 1/4 mile. So depressed. Within four months I was up to 4 miles. Then up to 7 miles. Told almost no one. Friend of mine found out and told me - just download a plan and run a half marathon. Thought he was crazy. Couple years later I got married again I asked my wife if she thought I could do it. She believes in me. Signed up the next day. Three months later I completed my first half marathon. Got 10 half’s and one full marathon in the books. Hoping for 20 half’s before I’m done. Never dreamed it
I lost all my “baby weight” the first month after the first baby was born. But with the second one, it just wasn’t happening. I started running (in the wrong shoes) to get the last 5 pounds off. It worked, and who knew? I’ve been running ever since!
In 1994 I just turned 40 and complained to my wife that she was shrinking my pants in the washing machine. She (somewhat) politely pointed out that my pants weren't shrinking - I was growing - fatter... I wasn't much of a gym rat, so the simplest thing I could do is find a pair of "running" shoes and head out the door. The first few weeks (months?) were terrible. I really thought one had to be completely crazy to do any type of running. But after my body surfaced from the shock I was inflicting on it - things got a bit easier and I became a bit more determined. After a few months of running - which is probably not exactly what you would call what I was doing at that time, a friend of mine that that was super-glued to his couch announced that he ran the LA Marathon. That really sparked something in me. I figured if this overweight, slug of flesh can complete a marathon - then there's no reason that I can't! Which the following year - 1996 - I "ran" my first race, the LA Marathon. Like sooo many people say after their first marathon, "I'll never do that again! One and done!" After a few weeks you look back and say, "that wasn't that bad! I think I can do another..." The mind is a mysterious thing! So, since then I have completed almost 100 full marathons - probably the same in half's and I don't know how many other races - including my favorite - trail races. I'm now 68 and still running. I get out the door at 5:30am and do 3-4 miles M-F. I come back and walk my dogs for 2-3 miles and then go to work. I've cut back on racing long distances. I'm sure another marathon is somewhere in my future, but for now I enjoy the morning solitude and the occasional 5k, 10k and half's. And, by the way, I can still fit into the same pants from all those years ago...
My dad who now is in his 90s was a runner/jogger back before running became popular. When I was younger except for dad we didn’t know anybody who ran!! I participated in sports when I was young and then as I got older went to the gym, aerobics classes etc. Eventually I met up with some runners and started running. Even then running was not that big. Back in those days you could sign up for the Chicago Marathon a few weeks in advance and get in. Now thousands enter the lottery. Chicago was my first marathon which I did when I was 52. Since then I’ve completed 8 full marathons and numerous halves. Looking forward to the Brooklyn Half in May and the New York City Marathon in November....which my grandson is going to run with me.
I did a 5k for breast cancer research. I enjoyed it very much, but since I'm not a fast runner, I felt out of place. Then I tried the 10k and I HATED IT! I thought...let's try the half marathon and see what happens, and I fell in love with the distance. I have been running & walking half marathons since 1998 at the age of 40!
I had gained too much weight and decided running was the way to lose it. I've since found most of the weight back, but still keep running. I started running in 1977 and estimate I have covered over 60,000 miles. I have completed over 17 marathons at least 20 half marathons and numerous shorter races. Now, I am mostly walking as I battle cancer.
I was miler, two miler on my high school track team. And I had ran random 5k’s since. I didn’t train and running was something to do when the opportunity showed itself. I am a lieutenant for a combination department(with paid and volunteers)in the community we live.
In 2014, we had structure fire that required maximum effort from everyone on scene. When the event was over, I was spent for a couple of days.
Around that same time I also lost a couple close friends to health issues. So I determined if I wanted to continue in the fire service, it was time to get into better shape. Especially since the #1 killer of firefighters are heart attacks. That was eight years ago and I have ran numerous 5k’s, a half a dozen half marathons and two full marathons(Chicago and The Marine Corp). I’m now 30# lighter. My wife has been a serious runner for years. Now we use running as one more thing we do together.
I first got interest in running in 2012, when I took a health class at Samford, where the final exam was to complete a 5k, which was really hard for me, since I have Down syndrome, after that, I did many more 5k’s, one 10k, one 5 mile. Then, after that, I heard from several friends of mine about the Talladega half marathon, which was my very first half marathon, and I ended up sleeping for more than 18 hours, since I had never done that long of a distance before. Then I heard about a great club, that I was reading about, called the 50 States Half marathon club, which I joined, and started my journey to try and complete a half marathon in all 50 states, with the hopes of becoming the first person with Down syndrome to complete a half marathon in all 50 states.
All of this training and running, has changed me in a significant way. There is something I have never shared with anyone, that is very significant. It is, just standing at the start line of one of my half marathons, standing at the start line of my first ever marathon, standing at the start line of any of my races I do, I break down in tears, mostly having to fight the tears, since I thought I would never be able to run one half marathon, marathon, and any of my other races I do, since I have had to overcome so many odds and obstacles associated with DS
A few coworkers challeneged me to run a half with them. I said yes but didn't actually think it was possible. Now i have run 2 marathons and am so proud of my accomplishments.
Great Question, Terrell! The girl running in the photo reminds me of myself when I was her age!!
Gosh, If I go back in my life, I've always been active in one way or another. I loved individual activities. . . jump rope, roller skating, skipping. You name it, I did it. Team sports were something I loved, too, but kids did not like choosing "four eyes" for their teams.I don't know if they are that mean anymore, but glasses were a curse in the 50s.
My brother was a fantastic runner--one I tried to emulate. Unfortunately, my dad and he tried to teach me "how to run" and took a lot of joy out of it--I ran like a kid, I was fast. In their minds, tho, it was not correct.
Seems to me I did track and field in college, another dud. Roller Dance was great. . .I still and race and dance on skates. Took up running in the 70s because everyone did it--tendonitis won (overwork Injury). Yoga saved me. That was my go to exercise from age of 22 until age of 60 something.I still do yoga when I can remember the sequence and after a long run--time permitting!
Started actual distance running when I was in my 60s. my kid told me I needed more "Cardio" and I agreed. We started running together. She no longer runs; but is my best supporter!
Running was difficult until I did some research and discovered ChiRunning. For me, that made all the difference in the world. I could run injury free and effortlessly. Mind you, I went through my share of injuries, but I was old enough to realize I was doing something too fast or wrong. Gradual Progress. . .something you learn with age! Also, Progress, not perfection.
I took on 5ks at 66 , then worked up to Half Marathons. I still envy the Marathoners and the UltaRunners. I could easily do both. It's only the time and training one has to put in. Time I don't have--or worse yet, I get bored running!
Almost 75 now. I've scaled back a bit to fewer Half Marathons, but I still enjoy getting out on the Trail almost every day. Challenges seem to be my bag. . .I can take my time and still put the distance in.
Looking forward to my big Half in Monterey this fall! :)
Great question. I'd like to say that it "emotionally" returns me to my youth and the joy of running on Long Island's beaches, or the lacrosse fields/basketball courts with my three brothers as we were growing up, and maybe that is at the core of a deeper connection I've made with running over the years. As someone else commented in an earlier post (and I just smiled), running was typically "punishment" in just about every sport I participated (screw up, "go run a lap"; "you guys are not getting it -- everyone on the line for suicides!"; etc.). My brothers and I actually ran XC in high school, but solely to get in shape for basketball season. And we HATED every minute of it. And then a year or so out of college I ran a marathon on a dare from a couple of my NYC roommates -- and afterwards swore I would NEVER do that again. About 20 years later, my oldest of four children lovingly nudged me to run another after seeing an old picture of me from that race. Ran Detroit -- and again swore I would NEVER EVER do that again. In what is already a much too long note, I'll spare you all the details but succinctly my youngest child (at the time about 8 years old) effectively expressed his overwhelmingly pride and admiration for "my Dad, the marathon runner". Pure Catholic guilt drove me to run "just one more" to retain this unearned extalted standing in my son's innocent and adorable eyes. And I'm glad I did --- as it seemed to, for the first time, open up to me how much fun the pure joy of running could be, coupled with the "challenge" that clearly resonated with the mindset of a former athlete. No music, no gadgets...I just lace-up and go. Every so often I have some rough patches (both physically and mentally), but never a regret once I get out the door. So roughly 40 years after the "dare" and 20+ years after the 2nd "I'll never do this again", I have been so incredibly fortunate to have put 50+ marathons, 200+ 1/2's, and a couple of Ultras in the books. I'm not setting any land-speed records by any stretch of the imagination, and I know the wheels will probably come off the bus at some point, but I'm just trying to stay in motion and enjoy every step of the way while I can. The experiences have been wonderful, and the running community is truly comprised of so many compassionate and caring people of all ages. Has always served to reinforce my faith in humanity, particualrly during uncertain times. Thanks for letting me indulge; enjoy the weekend!
Just graduated from law school , got married and assumed ownership of a family business. All good but my weight was 15 pounds over my high school weight and I “felt the future” and it was not good. Read Ken Cooper “”Aerobics”, did his 12 minute test, felt miserable and vowed to keep running for the rest of my life. 39 minute 10K at age 32 and a 5 hour Marathon at age 64. My goal for this 75th year is a one hour 10k. Slowly getting back in shape. Return to glory? Just to great health! 👣🤗👣
I have run my first marathon in Paris on the 3 of April this year. 7 months of hard training and all of you with your stories, strength, humanity have inspired me a lot. A good running day starts with the posts I read hear from Terrell .
I started running in 1972 when I joined my high school track team. I was a scrawny kid not big enough for football or talented enough for basketball. I found out that I was actually good at it. Without a whole lot of training, other than being an active kid I was capable of a five minute mile. I let it go for a few years after high school but picked it up again during the running boom of the 70’s. I’m 68 now and still try to keep up some sort of program. Injuries have forced me to stop for periods of time over the years but I always find myself yearning for those hours of solitude out on some trail in the morning.
I quit smoking at age 52, and wanted to "seal the deal" on that resolve, so I started running, and ran my first race, the Presidio Relay 5K in San Francisco, that summer. Worked up to a Half Marathon distance and loved it... and here I am training for my 15th Half this summer at age 68. I'm slow, but when I look down I can easily see my feet, which I attribute to running! This year I'm running not by distance (though I do record the distance) but by minutes. I find myself relaxing and enjoying the runs even more. I use a Run/Walk method, R 2:00/W 1:00, with an interval timer that buzzes the intervals (www.gymboss.com). Thanks for asking!
I started running in high school as I would run to get in shape for soccer and all the running that is involved in the sport. I loved it and continued even after I stopped playing soccer.
I started running when I was 13 and ran 10 miles with my youth group. I fell in love with it! Then I ran my first Half when I was 14 and I guess got addicted to medals and finish lines and race hype that I didn’t let up since😉 I had a goal to run a Marathon before I turned 20 which I was able to do last year! That was definitely the biggest challenge I ever did, but the funnest as well😊 I keep telling myself I’m going to take a a break after each race, but it only lasts for a couple days before I’m pulled back in😊
Growing up I was not a runner, but I played "Real" sports like Baseball, Basketball, Soccer and Football. In that arena running was punishment other than what was done during the game.
I tried to take up running when I was about 30 and at the time I was overweight and had asthma. It didn't go well and I gave up quickly.
Fast forward a few years and a move from New England down to Florida and we had friends who were into running and convinced my wife to try to take it up. In order to support my wife I agreed to start running and do a 5k with her and then I would be done. I was 36 and in slightly better shape than before, but I figured I would try.
We did the first 5k and I was unhappy with my finish time so I figured I would do one more to improve and then quit...
To date I have now completed 107 half marathons, 9 marathons, and some unknown number of 5k-15k races.
I found that I'm not good at quitting the sport once I got into it! I'm not driven by a few things.
1. The ongoing challenge to improve on my performance. I am not fast, but every year or so I set another personal best at some distance and that drives me to keep going.
2. The thought that for every race I do, I am accomplishinh something I never in my life I throught I would do and I truly believe I have no limits othet than what I put on myself.
3. The realization that there are not that many peopel in the world that have done what I have done as far as the number of races, and every time I complete
3. The relationships I have made with other runners and the places I get to see and visit. I have met so many great people at races and know that when we run we will see them and immediately know there are people we know.
Barring any physical issues, I intend to continue running and entering races for the rest of my life! It is the most addictive, healthy thing I have ever done for myself.
I started in college when a friend asked me to run a local 5K with them. Even though I struggled through the race, I fell in love with the running community that day and have been a runner ever since, even if it took me a while to feel like I could call myself that.
My brother is my best friend. He is ten years younger at 50, I'm 60. He has had lots of health issues and running helps him. He doesn't like the long or trail runs but we do 5ks and 10ks together. We have run 12 races together so far. My marathon is in Duluth, MN the Grandma's Marathon. I also started doing trail runs but still in the training for these as it is very different from running road races.
I started running in my 50’s after a friend challenged me to do the Warrior Dash with him and his wife. After that I was hooked on OC races and have done more Spartan Races then I can count. In order to compete in the OC races I ran as a training regimen, which lead to road races. The Eugene Marathon ( well, 1/2 marathon for me) is in 9 days and I’ll be running in that with family members. Truly enjoying this life style, not to mention the health benefits mentally and physically.
Hello, Terrel! Nice to hear from you. I had two starts :) Road/street running I started back in 2013. Back then I was coach potato and suddenly I saw announcement that Half marathon takes place near me and thought "This could be COOL". I prepared in 7 weeks and finished in 1:41.
The second start was trail running. I chose it as crostraining and I thought that I'm pretty decent runner, while on pavement, but suddenly, in my first 500 meters of trail I cardinally reevaluated myself :)
In my 20’s I had never been athletic. One day I went to a blood drive and became woozy. The technician checked my blood pressure which was way too low, maybe 70 over 40. I asked what to do about it and he said run. So I signed up for a running clinic, Women in Motion. Two trainers took us from zero to 9 miles in 6 weeks. I was hooked and ran daily for next several years until I got a job where I worked 60 to 90 hours a week and had 3 children in 5 years. No time for running. Gained weight. My oldest child grew up and convinced me to sign up for a half marathon with her. I used the walk-run method and ran/walked my first half in 2013. Many later, just completed another in February. Running’s a wonderful stress reliever and emotional stabilizer.
in 1977 my tennis partner was 15 minutes late for our game. i asked him why he was late. he said he had just run 3 miles. as i went to my side of the court, i thought ' if he can run 3 miles, i can run 3 miles'. now 45 years later i have run 570 races, covered over 33,000 miles including 30 marathons and 134 half marathons. all because my tennis partner had run 3 miles!!
I have always loved sports and working out but didn't enjoy running. However, I started running because COVID shut my gym and I wanted to reduce my stress level. I just started by running and walking until I could do a 5k. Last fall, my brother asked me to do a 5k race with him. It was my first race and I was hooked. Together, we ran races every weekend last fall. Now, 8 months later I'm running half marathons and I have my first marathon in June. I have found a new love in my later years.
Apr 22, 2022·edited Apr 22, 2022Liked by Terrell Johnson
This is my story. I was always a walker, walking fast at work, walking with my husband in the malls early in the morning. But never a runner. Tried it once and was gasping for breath. Hated it. Then after I retired, in 2010, at age 52, one of my sons-in-law asked me if I wanted to do the annual beach to bay relay marathon if my OLDER daughter said yes. I thought, sure! Because I knew that she wouldn’t do it. Then, out of the blue, he says great! Because she said yes. So I was kind of stuck. I didn’t train for this, and my 4 mile piece was miserable. The love of running was not born yet, but after this relay, he challenged me to run with him in a night race five months away. I agreed to that, thinking that I would have plenty time to train. It was during this time that I began feeling stronger, my lung capacity was growing, and my distance was growing. I began reading everything I could about running, shoes, treadmill versus track versus road, everything. I experienced all kinds of cramps and aches and pains and I bought so many different kind of braces. But when that race came around, I beat him by five minutes because he had not trained at all. I went on to train more, and set my sights on bigger goals, while he dropped back because of a lot of knee issues. He eventually stop running altogether, and I continue today, at age 65, because I enjoy being outdoors, and I enjoy the health benefits. I’m not even fast, and that’s not even the point. :-)
I was a college athlete [emphasis on the "was"] and turned 50 in 2016. My wife, while also a college athlete [and one MUCH better than me], is disabled with a neuro-muscular disorder [able to move but with limited abilities] and, like many others, I had "gained a few" from my college days as an athlete.
Christmas 2016, my wife got me a fitbit [not a hint - hot electronic item at that time] so I decided [didn't tell anyone] to do something with it and about my health [to be honest, also wanted to be more healthy to make sure I could hep her as we aged for I felt it would be needed and I wanted to be the one to be able to take care of her]. It started with walking just a little more each day to work [parked a few blocks further away from my school to stimulate it] and eat both less and better. Memorial day 2017 I ran for the first time - about 1.5 miles on a local school track. Felt like I was gonna "die" so decided to add running to my exercise routine - and so it began...
When I was 13, my dad andI watched a movie about a teacher in New York City (based on a true story) who started running to lose weight. She eventually ran the NYC marathon. At the end of the movie, my dad said, “What do you think. Should we give it a try?” I can still remember when we finally finished our first mile without stopping - probably our 5th time out. Next thing we knew we were running 10K’s all over northwest Ohio. A LOT of country roads and cornfields with fields of 20 or 30 people. That was in the early 80s. It is truly a way of life, and I continue to run now with my husband. We are looking forward to the Muddy Mini in June:) God love my dad - he is still alive but now walks and is in great shape.
An unexpected cataract diagnosis in my 40s had me take a hard look at my lifestyle: overweight, sedentary, hypertensive. I needed to get honest about how I was contributing to my sickness and make changes. I was due to have eye surgery and I didn't want any complications because of my health. I changed my diet. I read a book on beginning fitness and the intro was a story about a man who started running when his wife passed away--in his 80s! He ran marathons! I made a goal to run my driveway (1/4 mile roundtrip). Then it turned to running miles. This year I ran my first half marathon and a duathlon. It's been four years since I started. I love how it's changed my life.
Well, I always like to walk. Not much of a runner though. We moved to a downtown condo in late 2007, located 4 blocks from the downtown Y. There was an active group that trained for our local half marathon and while I contemplated joining them in 2008, it wasn’t until 2009 that I could make that happen. I worked for Ascension Health IT and we were required to write annual goals, both professional and personal. My personal goal was to finish the half marathon that year. I only missed 2 practices. And I was hooked.
I started running 12.5 years ago to get in shape after having spent too many years in an unhealthy lifestyle. I was a first time mom and trying to find a healthier path and example to be for my son. Here I am all these years later, trying to get back into the habit of exercising after battling through a divorce during the pandemic. The situation is a little different, I’m not a new mom or coming off a partying phase of life, but it still feels full circle as I try to get myself back in shape.
I started running because my work was a sponsor for the BMO Vancouver Marathon. I signed up for the half marathon as I thought it would be a good way to meet some new people at work and see what it was like. It took me a few years to transition to trail running and racing, and I've not looked back since. I went from chasing times to chasing trails :)
I wish I could tell you I had a high-minded reason for starting running, or an epiphany I experienced. But the truth is that I didn't start running in a sustained way until my early to mid-20s, when I was working in a job where I got off around 4:30 in the afternoon. There was so much time to fill those days, and a park nearby, so I started running purely out of something to do. I didn't log many miles back then -- just 2 to 3 at a time -- but then I started dating someone who was into running marathons. So, I figured why not try that too? (I'd never attempted anything close to that, but that's not the way you think when you're dating, right?) We didn't last, but running did for me, so I stuck with it. And here I am today, with you 😃
I first started running the summer of 2014. I was 36 years old. I remember I had recently lost a lot of weight and wanted to maintain it off. I had two friends who would run and they would post constantly. I remember it seemed fun, so long story short, I began to run and really enjoyed the feeling of being "free" , one mile led to another and the running just kept going and going. I built up mileage quickly and while on my runs, I started imagining running a half marathon, I ended up signing for a full marathon The Las Vegas R&R 2015. I must've trained for about a year. I read every magazine and googled everything running! I got in shape and ran the Full marathon which was my first race - non stop in 4:50:10. I could not believe I did that! Ever since then I've been running. My last marathon was the Los Angeles which I PR'd running at 4:23 but I have ran several 5, 10K's and 10 miler races, 6 half marathons and love to run. It's one of the best things that has happened to me. That first marathon sparked a love for running that I could never shake off even if I wanted too. I think about it daily and registered to run my 3rd (God Willing) Marathon, The Los Angeles 2023. wish me luck!
I first started running when I made the XC and track teams in 7th grade. I retired in 9th grade, and wouldn't return to running until my mid-20s. Wanted to lose weight and signed up for my first 10K. Loved it and ended up doing several more over the years... having 3 babies in 4yrs slowed me down and I didn't pick back up again until the youngest was 3 and I got a diagnosis of pre-diabetes. Registered for my first half marathon and spent 12wks training up, during which time, I only missed 1 run and made up for it the next day by increasing the next run's mileage. I finally felt like "I'm a runner."
Ran my first half in March '22 and now I'm in a post-run slump, ready to sign up for the next race. One thing I noticed about the half is that smiled the whole way through!
Now I've set a personal goal to run a half in every state by the time I turn 50 (13.5yrs). As long as I'm alive and able, I'd love to celebrate with a full marathon. People think I'm crazy, but I like setting goals and working toward them. 1 down, 49 to go :)
I’ve shared this before (so feel free to skip by my post if you’ve read it already). I was 29 years old, had just had my son, was way overweight & miserable with how I looked & felt. My parents had been runners while I was growing up & encouraged my siblings & me to run. (My family loved the movie, “Chariots of Fire” and watched it many times.)
I had never been a runner, but had been a very active kid in swimming, hiking, walking, etc., but I had let myself go. I promised myself that I would learn to run if it killed me. So I started with a walk a block, jog a block method & worked up to a mile, then 2 miles, etc.
Almost 23 years later I can say that running has saved my life—I’ve prevented diabetes that I would certainly have had, and felt the other physical benefits of being fit & healthy. It has also saved me emotionally & mentally. Running is my de-stress time & I love it. I can’t imagine life without it. Plus I enjoy the challenge of races! 😁
i was engaged at the time and my fiance would go out running for hours. i thought i'd better take it up if i ever wanted to see him. decades later and the fiance is gone. the running stuck though:)
I am ironically not a very avid runner. Running always come very hard to me vs. other forms of exercise like weight lifting, dancing or other team sports. I decided to enroll in a running class in my last semester of college and that kick started my routine for running. I cant say I'm a runner now but from running max 2 miles, I can run 5 miles now :) Still trying to find ways to actually enjoy running on the regular
I have told my story before, so I won't tell the whole thing now, but wanted to point something out. It was one of my kids that convinced me to run a half marathon which started my love of running. I noticed that many of you have had children influence you to start or restart running. My daughter, the very one that talked me into the half, is getting married this fall and I have been thinking about what to say at her wedding. The theme that I want to work with is that although it is commonly accepted that parents are the biggest influence in their children's lives and help to form them, I think that the reverse is true as well. At least for me, my children have influenced and help form me into the person I am today.
I ran track in junior high and high school. I never really cared for it, but it was something to do. In my mid-twenties I started a very stressful job and running became my coping mechanism. I loved running for the solitude. I ran for a couple of years before I thought of competing in a race. I did a few 5k’s, a few 10k’s then the half marathon. The half became my favorite race. Last august I went rim to rim on the Grand Canyon. That was an intense day, but what a feeling of accomplishment!
Sorry, there was a mistake in my post - was in grad soon 1995-2000
This whole trail was such an inspiring read - thank you Terrell and everyone for sharing your stories. I ran in my early grad school days - in 2000-05 - to lose weight and get fitter mostly. I kind of fell in love with it but it was never more than 5K-10K. I never expected to be a long distance runner (I don’t have a runner gait). It was only in 2014, when I was beginning to get overwhelmed with work, parenting, becoming overweight and life in general that my husband reminded me how much I enjoyed running “back in the day”. I restarted with a 10K at the marine corps marathon and marveled at all the people who had done the marathon. A couple on the ride back in the metro from the race, both of whom had done the marathon, advised me to sign up for a 1/2 M first. I did my first 1/2M soon after and eventually ran the marine corps marathon too (4 times!) and am gearing up for the 12th half next Sunday. I am 51 now but feel like I still have not reached my potential. I mostly run races to finish but this newsletter inspires me to do much better!
When my younger brother got out of the Army and joined the Nat Guard he wanted to somebody to run with him to keep up with his training. Since I went xc skiing everyday during the winter it seemed like a pretty good idea. That would have been around 1985 and I've been running ever since. Funny though, I never tried a race until I was well into my 50's and never did a Half until three years ago. Don't know if I'm a late bloomer or just a slow learner!
Although I played baseball in HS, did not run much until 1971 when I matriculated to USMC Bootcamp in San Diego. Have been running ever since, although my long distance events are now 1/2 marathons.
Still enjoy hitting the trail or road, albeit much slower today!
When I was 67, my 9 yr. old granddaughter was running her first 5K with a girl's running group. I watched her near the finish line and she was running while smiling with joy approaching and crossing the finish line! Her joy impacted me to start running and racing with her. So I'm still running and watching her races, and she often watches my races and cheers for me...
… had been walking 3 MI, 5 MI, 7 MI and 10 MI for fun … friends said Disney Half was “so much fun … signed up, trained for 8 months, and did first Half at Disneyworld in Jan ‘08 at the age of 58. Do I love the Half? I guess so …Sunday I do my 104th!
At 50 I was 30 pounds overweight, getting divorced, and my blood pressure was 180/120. My dr panicked so I did too. Bought a used treadmill and could not run 1/4 mile. So depressed. Within four months I was up to 4 miles. Then up to 7 miles. Told almost no one. Friend of mine found out and told me - just download a plan and run a half marathon. Thought he was crazy. Couple years later I got married again I asked my wife if she thought I could do it. She believes in me. Signed up the next day. Three months later I completed my first half marathon. Got 10 half’s and one full marathon in the books. Hoping for 20 half’s before I’m done. Never dreamed it
I lost all my “baby weight” the first month after the first baby was born. But with the second one, it just wasn’t happening. I started running (in the wrong shoes) to get the last 5 pounds off. It worked, and who knew? I’ve been running ever since!
In 1994 I just turned 40 and complained to my wife that she was shrinking my pants in the washing machine. She (somewhat) politely pointed out that my pants weren't shrinking - I was growing - fatter... I wasn't much of a gym rat, so the simplest thing I could do is find a pair of "running" shoes and head out the door. The first few weeks (months?) were terrible. I really thought one had to be completely crazy to do any type of running. But after my body surfaced from the shock I was inflicting on it - things got a bit easier and I became a bit more determined. After a few months of running - which is probably not exactly what you would call what I was doing at that time, a friend of mine that that was super-glued to his couch announced that he ran the LA Marathon. That really sparked something in me. I figured if this overweight, slug of flesh can complete a marathon - then there's no reason that I can't! Which the following year - 1996 - I "ran" my first race, the LA Marathon. Like sooo many people say after their first marathon, "I'll never do that again! One and done!" After a few weeks you look back and say, "that wasn't that bad! I think I can do another..." The mind is a mysterious thing! So, since then I have completed almost 100 full marathons - probably the same in half's and I don't know how many other races - including my favorite - trail races. I'm now 68 and still running. I get out the door at 5:30am and do 3-4 miles M-F. I come back and walk my dogs for 2-3 miles and then go to work. I've cut back on racing long distances. I'm sure another marathon is somewhere in my future, but for now I enjoy the morning solitude and the occasional 5k, 10k and half's. And, by the way, I can still fit into the same pants from all those years ago...
My dad who now is in his 90s was a runner/jogger back before running became popular. When I was younger except for dad we didn’t know anybody who ran!! I participated in sports when I was young and then as I got older went to the gym, aerobics classes etc. Eventually I met up with some runners and started running. Even then running was not that big. Back in those days you could sign up for the Chicago Marathon a few weeks in advance and get in. Now thousands enter the lottery. Chicago was my first marathon which I did when I was 52. Since then I’ve completed 8 full marathons and numerous halves. Looking forward to the Brooklyn Half in May and the New York City Marathon in November....which my grandson is going to run with me.
I did a 5k for breast cancer research. I enjoyed it very much, but since I'm not a fast runner, I felt out of place. Then I tried the 10k and I HATED IT! I thought...let's try the half marathon and see what happens, and I fell in love with the distance. I have been running & walking half marathons since 1998 at the age of 40!
I had gained too much weight and decided running was the way to lose it. I've since found most of the weight back, but still keep running. I started running in 1977 and estimate I have covered over 60,000 miles. I have completed over 17 marathons at least 20 half marathons and numerous shorter races. Now, I am mostly walking as I battle cancer.
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I was miler, two miler on my high school track team. And I had ran random 5k’s since. I didn’t train and running was something to do when the opportunity showed itself. I am a lieutenant for a combination department(with paid and volunteers)in the community we live.
In 2014, we had structure fire that required maximum effort from everyone on scene. When the event was over, I was spent for a couple of days.
Around that same time I also lost a couple close friends to health issues. So I determined if I wanted to continue in the fire service, it was time to get into better shape. Especially since the #1 killer of firefighters are heart attacks. That was eight years ago and I have ran numerous 5k’s, a half a dozen half marathons and two full marathons(Chicago and The Marine Corp). I’m now 30# lighter. My wife has been a serious runner for years. Now we use running as one more thing we do together.
I get interested since my younger age and now realise it was a talent inside me....
I first got interest in running in 2012, when I took a health class at Samford, where the final exam was to complete a 5k, which was really hard for me, since I have Down syndrome, after that, I did many more 5k’s, one 10k, one 5 mile. Then, after that, I heard from several friends of mine about the Talladega half marathon, which was my very first half marathon, and I ended up sleeping for more than 18 hours, since I had never done that long of a distance before. Then I heard about a great club, that I was reading about, called the 50 States Half marathon club, which I joined, and started my journey to try and complete a half marathon in all 50 states, with the hopes of becoming the first person with Down syndrome to complete a half marathon in all 50 states.
All of this training and running, has changed me in a significant way. There is something I have never shared with anyone, that is very significant. It is, just standing at the start line of one of my half marathons, standing at the start line of my first ever marathon, standing at the start line of any of my races I do, I break down in tears, mostly having to fight the tears, since I thought I would never be able to run one half marathon, marathon, and any of my other races I do, since I have had to overcome so many odds and obstacles associated with DS
A few coworkers challeneged me to run a half with them. I said yes but didn't actually think it was possible. Now i have run 2 marathons and am so proud of my accomplishments.
Great Question, Terrell! The girl running in the photo reminds me of myself when I was her age!!
Gosh, If I go back in my life, I've always been active in one way or another. I loved individual activities. . . jump rope, roller skating, skipping. You name it, I did it. Team sports were something I loved, too, but kids did not like choosing "four eyes" for their teams.I don't know if they are that mean anymore, but glasses were a curse in the 50s.
My brother was a fantastic runner--one I tried to emulate. Unfortunately, my dad and he tried to teach me "how to run" and took a lot of joy out of it--I ran like a kid, I was fast. In their minds, tho, it was not correct.
Seems to me I did track and field in college, another dud. Roller Dance was great. . .I still and race and dance on skates. Took up running in the 70s because everyone did it--tendonitis won (overwork Injury). Yoga saved me. That was my go to exercise from age of 22 until age of 60 something.I still do yoga when I can remember the sequence and after a long run--time permitting!
Started actual distance running when I was in my 60s. my kid told me I needed more "Cardio" and I agreed. We started running together. She no longer runs; but is my best supporter!
Running was difficult until I did some research and discovered ChiRunning. For me, that made all the difference in the world. I could run injury free and effortlessly. Mind you, I went through my share of injuries, but I was old enough to realize I was doing something too fast or wrong. Gradual Progress. . .something you learn with age! Also, Progress, not perfection.
I took on 5ks at 66 , then worked up to Half Marathons. I still envy the Marathoners and the UltaRunners. I could easily do both. It's only the time and training one has to put in. Time I don't have--or worse yet, I get bored running!
Almost 75 now. I've scaled back a bit to fewer Half Marathons, but I still enjoy getting out on the Trail almost every day. Challenges seem to be my bag. . .I can take my time and still put the distance in.
Looking forward to my big Half in Monterey this fall! :)
Great question. I'd like to say that it "emotionally" returns me to my youth and the joy of running on Long Island's beaches, or the lacrosse fields/basketball courts with my three brothers as we were growing up, and maybe that is at the core of a deeper connection I've made with running over the years. As someone else commented in an earlier post (and I just smiled), running was typically "punishment" in just about every sport I participated (screw up, "go run a lap"; "you guys are not getting it -- everyone on the line for suicides!"; etc.). My brothers and I actually ran XC in high school, but solely to get in shape for basketball season. And we HATED every minute of it. And then a year or so out of college I ran a marathon on a dare from a couple of my NYC roommates -- and afterwards swore I would NEVER do that again. About 20 years later, my oldest of four children lovingly nudged me to run another after seeing an old picture of me from that race. Ran Detroit -- and again swore I would NEVER EVER do that again. In what is already a much too long note, I'll spare you all the details but succinctly my youngest child (at the time about 8 years old) effectively expressed his overwhelmingly pride and admiration for "my Dad, the marathon runner". Pure Catholic guilt drove me to run "just one more" to retain this unearned extalted standing in my son's innocent and adorable eyes. And I'm glad I did --- as it seemed to, for the first time, open up to me how much fun the pure joy of running could be, coupled with the "challenge" that clearly resonated with the mindset of a former athlete. No music, no gadgets...I just lace-up and go. Every so often I have some rough patches (both physically and mentally), but never a regret once I get out the door. So roughly 40 years after the "dare" and 20+ years after the 2nd "I'll never do this again", I have been so incredibly fortunate to have put 50+ marathons, 200+ 1/2's, and a couple of Ultras in the books. I'm not setting any land-speed records by any stretch of the imagination, and I know the wheels will probably come off the bus at some point, but I'm just trying to stay in motion and enjoy every step of the way while I can. The experiences have been wonderful, and the running community is truly comprised of so many compassionate and caring people of all ages. Has always served to reinforce my faith in humanity, particualrly during uncertain times. Thanks for letting me indulge; enjoy the weekend!
Just graduated from law school , got married and assumed ownership of a family business. All good but my weight was 15 pounds over my high school weight and I “felt the future” and it was not good. Read Ken Cooper “”Aerobics”, did his 12 minute test, felt miserable and vowed to keep running for the rest of my life. 39 minute 10K at age 32 and a 5 hour Marathon at age 64. My goal for this 75th year is a one hour 10k. Slowly getting back in shape. Return to glory? Just to great health! 👣🤗👣
I have run my first marathon in Paris on the 3 of April this year. 7 months of hard training and all of you with your stories, strength, humanity have inspired me a lot. A good running day starts with the posts I read hear from Terrell .
I started running in 1972 when I joined my high school track team. I was a scrawny kid not big enough for football or talented enough for basketball. I found out that I was actually good at it. Without a whole lot of training, other than being an active kid I was capable of a five minute mile. I let it go for a few years after high school but picked it up again during the running boom of the 70’s. I’m 68 now and still try to keep up some sort of program. Injuries have forced me to stop for periods of time over the years but I always find myself yearning for those hours of solitude out on some trail in the morning.
I quit smoking at age 52, and wanted to "seal the deal" on that resolve, so I started running, and ran my first race, the Presidio Relay 5K in San Francisco, that summer. Worked up to a Half Marathon distance and loved it... and here I am training for my 15th Half this summer at age 68. I'm slow, but when I look down I can easily see my feet, which I attribute to running! This year I'm running not by distance (though I do record the distance) but by minutes. I find myself relaxing and enjoying the runs even more. I use a Run/Walk method, R 2:00/W 1:00, with an interval timer that buzzes the intervals (www.gymboss.com). Thanks for asking!
I started running in high school as I would run to get in shape for soccer and all the running that is involved in the sport. I loved it and continued even after I stopped playing soccer.
I started running when I was 13 and ran 10 miles with my youth group. I fell in love with it! Then I ran my first Half when I was 14 and I guess got addicted to medals and finish lines and race hype that I didn’t let up since😉 I had a goal to run a Marathon before I turned 20 which I was able to do last year! That was definitely the biggest challenge I ever did, but the funnest as well😊 I keep telling myself I’m going to take a a break after each race, but it only lasts for a couple days before I’m pulled back in😊
What a great question!
Growing up I was not a runner, but I played "Real" sports like Baseball, Basketball, Soccer and Football. In that arena running was punishment other than what was done during the game.
I tried to take up running when I was about 30 and at the time I was overweight and had asthma. It didn't go well and I gave up quickly.
Fast forward a few years and a move from New England down to Florida and we had friends who were into running and convinced my wife to try to take it up. In order to support my wife I agreed to start running and do a 5k with her and then I would be done. I was 36 and in slightly better shape than before, but I figured I would try.
We did the first 5k and I was unhappy with my finish time so I figured I would do one more to improve and then quit...
To date I have now completed 107 half marathons, 9 marathons, and some unknown number of 5k-15k races.
I found that I'm not good at quitting the sport once I got into it! I'm not driven by a few things.
1. The ongoing challenge to improve on my performance. I am not fast, but every year or so I set another personal best at some distance and that drives me to keep going.
2. The thought that for every race I do, I am accomplishinh something I never in my life I throught I would do and I truly believe I have no limits othet than what I put on myself.
3. The realization that there are not that many peopel in the world that have done what I have done as far as the number of races, and every time I complete
3. The relationships I have made with other runners and the places I get to see and visit. I have met so many great people at races and know that when we run we will see them and immediately know there are people we know.
Barring any physical issues, I intend to continue running and entering races for the rest of my life! It is the most addictive, healthy thing I have ever done for myself.
I started in college when a friend asked me to run a local 5K with them. Even though I struggled through the race, I fell in love with the running community that day and have been a runner ever since, even if it took me a while to feel like I could call myself that.
My brother is my best friend. He is ten years younger at 50, I'm 60. He has had lots of health issues and running helps him. He doesn't like the long or trail runs but we do 5ks and 10ks together. We have run 12 races together so far. My marathon is in Duluth, MN the Grandma's Marathon. I also started doing trail runs but still in the training for these as it is very different from running road races.
I started running in my 50’s after a friend challenged me to do the Warrior Dash with him and his wife. After that I was hooked on OC races and have done more Spartan Races then I can count. In order to compete in the OC races I ran as a training regimen, which lead to road races. The Eugene Marathon ( well, 1/2 marathon for me) is in 9 days and I’ll be running in that with family members. Truly enjoying this life style, not to mention the health benefits mentally and physically.
Hello, Terrel! Nice to hear from you. I had two starts :) Road/street running I started back in 2013. Back then I was coach potato and suddenly I saw announcement that Half marathon takes place near me and thought "This could be COOL". I prepared in 7 weeks and finished in 1:41.
The second start was trail running. I chose it as crostraining and I thought that I'm pretty decent runner, while on pavement, but suddenly, in my first 500 meters of trail I cardinally reevaluated myself :)
In my 20’s I had never been athletic. One day I went to a blood drive and became woozy. The technician checked my blood pressure which was way too low, maybe 70 over 40. I asked what to do about it and he said run. So I signed up for a running clinic, Women in Motion. Two trainers took us from zero to 9 miles in 6 weeks. I was hooked and ran daily for next several years until I got a job where I worked 60 to 90 hours a week and had 3 children in 5 years. No time for running. Gained weight. My oldest child grew up and convinced me to sign up for a half marathon with her. I used the walk-run method and ran/walked my first half in 2013. Many later, just completed another in February. Running’s a wonderful stress reliever and emotional stabilizer.
in 1977 my tennis partner was 15 minutes late for our game. i asked him why he was late. he said he had just run 3 miles. as i went to my side of the court, i thought ' if he can run 3 miles, i can run 3 miles'. now 45 years later i have run 570 races, covered over 33,000 miles including 30 marathons and 134 half marathons. all because my tennis partner had run 3 miles!!
I have always loved sports and working out but didn't enjoy running. However, I started running because COVID shut my gym and I wanted to reduce my stress level. I just started by running and walking until I could do a 5k. Last fall, my brother asked me to do a 5k race with him. It was my first race and I was hooked. Together, we ran races every weekend last fall. Now, 8 months later I'm running half marathons and I have my first marathon in June. I have found a new love in my later years.
This is my story. I was always a walker, walking fast at work, walking with my husband in the malls early in the morning. But never a runner. Tried it once and was gasping for breath. Hated it. Then after I retired, in 2010, at age 52, one of my sons-in-law asked me if I wanted to do the annual beach to bay relay marathon if my OLDER daughter said yes. I thought, sure! Because I knew that she wouldn’t do it. Then, out of the blue, he says great! Because she said yes. So I was kind of stuck. I didn’t train for this, and my 4 mile piece was miserable. The love of running was not born yet, but after this relay, he challenged me to run with him in a night race five months away. I agreed to that, thinking that I would have plenty time to train. It was during this time that I began feeling stronger, my lung capacity was growing, and my distance was growing. I began reading everything I could about running, shoes, treadmill versus track versus road, everything. I experienced all kinds of cramps and aches and pains and I bought so many different kind of braces. But when that race came around, I beat him by five minutes because he had not trained at all. I went on to train more, and set my sights on bigger goals, while he dropped back because of a lot of knee issues. He eventually stop running altogether, and I continue today, at age 65, because I enjoy being outdoors, and I enjoy the health benefits. I’m not even fast, and that’s not even the point. :-)
I was a college athlete [emphasis on the "was"] and turned 50 in 2016. My wife, while also a college athlete [and one MUCH better than me], is disabled with a neuro-muscular disorder [able to move but with limited abilities] and, like many others, I had "gained a few" from my college days as an athlete.
Christmas 2016, my wife got me a fitbit [not a hint - hot electronic item at that time] so I decided [didn't tell anyone] to do something with it and about my health [to be honest, also wanted to be more healthy to make sure I could hep her as we aged for I felt it would be needed and I wanted to be the one to be able to take care of her]. It started with walking just a little more each day to work [parked a few blocks further away from my school to stimulate it] and eat both less and better. Memorial day 2017 I ran for the first time - about 1.5 miles on a local school track. Felt like I was gonna "die" so decided to add running to my exercise routine - and so it began...
When I was 13, my dad andI watched a movie about a teacher in New York City (based on a true story) who started running to lose weight. She eventually ran the NYC marathon. At the end of the movie, my dad said, “What do you think. Should we give it a try?” I can still remember when we finally finished our first mile without stopping - probably our 5th time out. Next thing we knew we were running 10K’s all over northwest Ohio. A LOT of country roads and cornfields with fields of 20 or 30 people. That was in the early 80s. It is truly a way of life, and I continue to run now with my husband. We are looking forward to the Muddy Mini in June:) God love my dad - he is still alive but now walks and is in great shape.
An unexpected cataract diagnosis in my 40s had me take a hard look at my lifestyle: overweight, sedentary, hypertensive. I needed to get honest about how I was contributing to my sickness and make changes. I was due to have eye surgery and I didn't want any complications because of my health. I changed my diet. I read a book on beginning fitness and the intro was a story about a man who started running when his wife passed away--in his 80s! He ran marathons! I made a goal to run my driveway (1/4 mile roundtrip). Then it turned to running miles. This year I ran my first half marathon and a duathlon. It's been four years since I started. I love how it's changed my life.
Well, I always like to walk. Not much of a runner though. We moved to a downtown condo in late 2007, located 4 blocks from the downtown Y. There was an active group that trained for our local half marathon and while I contemplated joining them in 2008, it wasn’t until 2009 that I could make that happen. I worked for Ascension Health IT and we were required to write annual goals, both professional and personal. My personal goal was to finish the half marathon that year. I only missed 2 practices. And I was hooked.
I started in high school. In a gym class run I beat the best football and basketball player and a running life was born.
I started running 12.5 years ago to get in shape after having spent too many years in an unhealthy lifestyle. I was a first time mom and trying to find a healthier path and example to be for my son. Here I am all these years later, trying to get back into the habit of exercising after battling through a divorce during the pandemic. The situation is a little different, I’m not a new mom or coming off a partying phase of life, but it still feels full circle as I try to get myself back in shape.
I started running because my work was a sponsor for the BMO Vancouver Marathon. I signed up for the half marathon as I thought it would be a good way to meet some new people at work and see what it was like. It took me a few years to transition to trail running and racing, and I've not looked back since. I went from chasing times to chasing trails :)
I wish I could tell you I had a high-minded reason for starting running, or an epiphany I experienced. But the truth is that I didn't start running in a sustained way until my early to mid-20s, when I was working in a job where I got off around 4:30 in the afternoon. There was so much time to fill those days, and a park nearby, so I started running purely out of something to do. I didn't log many miles back then -- just 2 to 3 at a time -- but then I started dating someone who was into running marathons. So, I figured why not try that too? (I'd never attempted anything close to that, but that's not the way you think when you're dating, right?) We didn't last, but running did for me, so I stuck with it. And here I am today, with you 😃