"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that." -Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder
As a child, I was active, but I would not consider myself athletic. I was a dancer for a good portion of my young life, until an injury caused me to give it up, which was heartbreaking because I wanted to be a ballerina. And I thought the minute I got my pointe shoes, I was destined. When I put on my pink satin ballet slippers, it's like the rest of the world didn't matter. I could completely loose myself in hours of dance. Little did I know that there was another pair of shoes in my future that would give me that same feeling! After my dance career ended, I played a few sports, tennis, and soccer, but never was destined to be MVP. I enjoy team sports, and I like to encourage others, however I am NOT a competitve individual, but in my twenties I found a sport that involves me competing with myself most of the time, and I LOVE it! Running was not always a favorite past time of mine. In fact, in middle school I vividly remember dreading the days Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Fouch told us we had to run around the field of Cope Jr. High. Not only did I dread it, I always felt inadequate because I wasn't the fastest. Those are all feelings of the past.
My running habits actually grew out of a little competitive streak in my twenties when my sister (who is always in good shape and has always been smaller than me) told me she was going to run a half marathon. I had just lost 25 pounds on Weight Watchers and began working out religiously and thought, "If she can do it, so can I". So I began running with a group at my local gym, it didn't hurt that the trainer leading the runs was a cutie! Our runs would go from El Segundo (where I lived in CA) down a huge hill, and along the beach! There is nothing more invigorating than running toward the ocean with the smell of saltwater wafting into your lungs as you take deep breaths. (Those of you who know El Segundo know that it's not always a saltwater smell around there)So there I was, I had found a half marathon to sign up for, and I began training in October 2004. I signed up for local 5Ks and 10Ks and the passion began. The bonus in training (besides the cute trainer) was I lost an additional 15 pounds and I felt stronger emotionally and physically, like nothing I'd ever felt before. Runner's high is no joke! As my thirtieth birthday approached I was in the best shape of my life and felt like anything was possible. Side note, this was also the point at which I had decided I was going to make the move from Los Angeles to South Carolina. So fast forward to February of 2005, I completed my first half marathon in 2.5 hours, ran the whole way amongst several thousand strangers, and decided this would not be my last!
When I moved, I found it difficult to run in places where there was no beach, no saltwater air, and summers so hot that you literally have to run at inappropriate hours of the day. But, I kept at it. Granted a few years went by where I didn't run ANY races, but that is a thing of the past. Not only have I gotten pumped about running diligently again, but Kevin has taken it up more seriously and is enjoying it as much as I do ( I think).
Everyone hits slumps in their exercise routines, and sometimes it takes an outside source to kick start it again... and for Kevin and me that has been Run For Your Life training classes.
So this pair of shoes that replaced my pink satin pointe shoes are my Mizuno running shoes. I have tried several different brands of running shoes, but I have to say the Mizunos are REALLY worth every penny spent! I am a firm believer that the right gear is key, and I've slowly proven this to my husband. He can't believe he ever ran in cotton clothing now that he's experienced Dri-Fit. He loves his Mizunos too. And last weekend we both were introduced to another piece of gear that we can't live without. Who knew that socks could make all the difference in your run? Let me tell you, we were given these socks by a fellow runner, and I think we might be buying a few more pairs each! They are like having little pillows on the bottom of your feet! There are some things in life that I am all about going cheap on, however because running is a jolt to your body, I am all about spending the money on gear that will protect my personal temple for the long haul!
A few years back, Kevin signed up for his first 5K, the Cupid's Cup which occurs every year around Valentine's Day, so we have made this a tradition. The fees go toward the cardiac unit at CMC, and since we are not really Valentine's people, we thought this would be a good way to do something good for our hearts (and others). Kevin did great in that first race and has gotten better ever since!
Over the past few months, I've actively thought about running another half marathon, still haven't decided on one, but I will soon. So in preparation, I thought Kevin and I should do a bigger race. Hence we signed up for the Cooper River Bridge 10K in Charleston. 40,000 people, a bridge in one of the prettiest cities in the US, and a weekend away with my husband! Who wouldn't want that? It was great! The adrenaline rush that comes with running is indescribable.
Even if running is not your thing, I strongly encourage you to find that one thing in life that you can do alone or with others, that allows you to forget about everything else while you do it, and that is good for your overall health. Its' not about the time or the distance, it's about the finish!
