Happy One Year Anniversary to me!!!One year ago today I started running...I'm sad to say I could only run about 1 mile before I felt like I was going to die! I had never been a runner before and I only started training in preparation for my first Mud Run. I made little baby steps each week, slowly adding more distance to my running workouts. My goal was to be able to run at least 3 miles without walking by July. This gave me 2 1/2 months to reach my goal. As each week passed I started to notice that I wasn't heaving and panting at the end of a few miles. My real motivation came from my running mate, Jenny...who at 50 years old became my unofficial coach. She had the energy of a 20 year old and I could sometimes barely keep up.
As July neared a turn of unfortunate events occurred...Jenny overdid it and a foot injury ended our days of training together, and she grabbed her family and left the country! (Only for a year...to travel around the globe, she's due back in a few weeks). As she packed her bags, she made me promise her that I wouldn't quit running. So I continued on...
I completed my first Mud Run successfully, then signed up for another one, and another one, and yet another one! (July 18th @ www.irvinelakemudrun.com) . I ran the Dana Point Turkey Trot in November, and the OC Chili Trail Run in February.
So this day is significant to me in many ways...I embrace my new life filled with mud runs, trail runs, new running friends, sweaty socks, a closet full of running gear, and a healthy body.
You are never too old to start a healthy lifestyle, find a partner to motivate you, start slow, and set yourself some goals. Sign up for a 5K or if you don't mind getting dirty, a Mud Run.
One year...approximately 750 miles later...I will now pat myself on the back!
