Reflection: "Through the ups and downs of running, I have found new perspective in life. The suffering and success has made me a stronger, happier person." -Christine Casady

Running.

A year ago if you told me I would run the Run for the Diamonds in 2013, I would've laughed in your face and rolled my eyes. 9 miles? I could hardly run a minute without my legs and lungs burning. It is amazing what the body is capable of.

For any resolutioners wanting to take up running I applaud you. You're going to love it. You'll love it IF you stick with it. Personally, it took me about 6 months to really start enjoying running. The first 3-4 months were the hardest. Mind you, I was in the 200s when I started so everything was prone to injury. I battled with tight calf muscles and minor pulls. I still do. I'm just smarter about it and know how to treat it. My biggest issue right now is my left ankle/achilles. The main cause is my weight, but I'm working on that.

In April I finished my first 5k. You would've thought I won it I was so proud of myself, and so was my dad. Another 5k and lots of summer training, I attempted a 10k. Again I finished and felt immensely proud of myself. And gorged on watermelon. Seriously, watermelon is the best summer snack after a run. Makes running in the icky humidity worth it.

After my 10k, I was resolved to try and run Berwick. My dad was a little apprehensive about it, but I assured him I'd be okay. A few races later and it was already November! And yet again I finished that race. The race I thought I could never run. I was glowing as I ate ALL THE TURKEY.

I'm running my first half marathon in April. My co-manager and her sister will probably run it with me, which is nice because 13.1 miles is a long way to go alone. And it's a women only race. So no daddy with me this time. I'll see if he and Meg want to do the co-ed 5k while they wait for me. And of course, Joe will be playing games while he waits.

The biggest surprise to myself and everyone is the fact that I'm going to run a full marathon this year. I've always wanted to run the Steamtown marathon. I was sitting on the couch reading my marathon book that my co-manager bought me for Christmas and found that I had finished the half marathon training program and actually went a tad beyond it. So the obvious thing to do would be to start the novice marathon training program, right? And if I'm going to train for one I might as well run one!

Let me tell you I think it is my mother's worst nightmare, lol. She did not sound pleased when I broke that news. She's afraid I'll hurt myself or die from sudden cardiac death syndrome (which is 7 times more likely when you're overweight like me!). When I tell my father (or my mother probably did already), he's going to tell me to wait. Nope. I'm stubborn. I'm already halfway through week 1 of training. I'm 25 years old. If not now, when? As long as I get this weight off by October, I should be at the top of my game. And it's not like I'm aiming to finish at the top of the pack. I just want to FINISH. I want to see how far I can push myself. I want to see all the beautiful scenery in NEPA (yes, there is some). I want to meet the wall and then go beyond it. I want to be a marathoner.

I don't know why I took to running or want to be a marathoner. I guess I want to do something extraordinary. My career didn't turn out like I wanted it to, but it does allow me a flexible schedule to get some training in. I love working nights so I can get out in the morning to run. Running is my thing. I'm not the fastest by any means, but I love doing something I thought I could never do. Running has given me more confidence in myself (plus size and all) and also a new perspective on life. It forces me to slow down and look at the world around me. I appreciate nature. I love running past butterflies in the spring and watching the turtles at the lake in the fall. And yes, snow is gorgeous even though my legs are freezing and burn like crazy when I warm up post running.

Running is my drug and I can think of nothing better to be addicted to.

So goodbye 2013. Thank you for treating me so well. Hello 2014! I hope to achieve some amazing things with you!

2013: The Year I Became a Runner

2013: This year will always mean so much to me.

It was the year I overcame anxiety.
It was the year I accomplished *some* weight loss goals.
It was the year I finally went back to working full time.

It was the year I became a runner.

To be honest, I still don't feel or look like a runner. I gained a good amount of that 30 pounds I lost back. Ten pounds to be exact. But I can run over 10 miles now. TEN! Not bad for someone ranging between 184-189 pounds.

I ran 10 races this year. (hmm 10 seems to be a good number for me)

(From the top left): iron girl 5k, color me rad 5k, 10k, 5k for families, savage 7k, fit for all 5k (nicole's first 5k), 9k (even though it says wine in the woods 5k: small budget group), the color run, run for the diamonds 9 miler!!, and 6k rudolph run.  Medals are from my first 5k and from the virtual 5k for Doctor Who's 50th.

My best 5k was 33 minutes and 50-some seconds. I've run a 6k, 7k, 9k, and 9 miler plus some other 5ks and fun color runs!

2014 is the year of the marathon.

I'm doing my first half in April and I am looking forward to it.

And...I'm going to train for a full marathon in October 2014. Shhhhh. ::Knocks on wood::
I'm starting early so I can lose the weight and shake out any injuries that may pop up along the way. Today's my 1 year RUNniversary. What a great way to kick off the new running year with my first day of marathon training. :)

Congrats to all the runners in 2013 and have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!