Now that I have started to run, it’s safe to say we have a love-hate relationship. I love it because it’s challenging and I am doing something I never thought I could do. I hate it because it’s hard and being competitive, I know I’ll never win a long distance race. But that being said, I have finally learned, that I am in competition with no one, but myself.
Running has taught me that, I am capable of so much more then I have ever imagined, and I am walking away from 8 weeks of run club and 3 completed races, learning to believe in myself and to focus on the journey, not the destination.
“If you run, you are a runner. It doesn’t matter how fast or how far. It doesn’t matter if today is your first day or you’ve been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.” -John Bingham
Ten weeks ago, I was not a runner. Since then, I have completed one 5K and two 10K’s, and it feels incredible.
On December 14th, I met my girls from the Fit4Mom Irvine/Tustin Running Club, at Hicks Canyon Elementary School, for the Troutman Sanders Renegade Santa Run. It was my second race sporting my Sparkle Athletic skirt, which I just love! “We don’t sweat, we sparkle.”
Overall, I felt so much better during this race then I did at the Turkey Trot (which I was totally unprepared for). The first half to 3/4 mile was completely overwhelming because there were so many people running on the path, that it was extremely difficult to weave in and out of the crowds, making my pace for the first mile, the worst. After, the crowds finally started to break up, the race was a lot smoother and I actually felt pretty good during the 6.2 miles.
Wow, when I write that, “6.2 miles,” it still boggles my brain. I never pictured myself to be one to run any kind of distance. This running thing is going to be hard but completely amazing at the same time!
The official results are in…
- Plymouth Rock N Run Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 10K – 54:49 (8:50 pace)
- Troutman Sanders Renegade Santa Run 10K – 53:54 (8:42 pace)
They say racing is addictive and it’s true. No matter how hard it is during the run, and I go through just about every emotion while I am running, the feeling of accomplishment at the end is like no other. In 2014, I am going to continue to focus on improving myself and continuing my new journey!
My next race is already on my calendar, 
10K, at Knotts Berry Farm on Sunday, March 2!
