This weekend I had a nine mile run as part of my 18 week marathon training plan. I picked it up a little this time and decided to do the intermediate training. I have been having a lot of calf pain recently and had just ran my fastest pace ever at a race on Thursday night, so my long run on Saturday was going abnormally slow. My first mile was 11:15. I picked it up after awhile running 9:35 miles, but I was use to running 9 minute miles flat. I was mad at myself, and I was trying my hardest to make sure I ran all 9 miles less than one hour 30 minutes, how could I ever run over a 10 minute mile pace? And then as I was on mile 6, I saw the Team to End World Aids cheering on one of their teammates to finish her long run. She was running barely above a walk and looked like she was struggling but their cheering was carrying her all the way to end. At that moment I was disappointed in myself, I felt like I had forgotten while I started running in the first place. I will never be the fastest person on the path, and in all honesty does how fast you run really matter...isn't the finish line the accomplishment? After that realization, the last 3 miles of the run went much better. I reverted to the person who was just happy to be running, happy to have the ability to, someone who was happy just to finish. And you know what the last 3 miles were the fastest miles of the day! Sometimes you have to remember where you came from to get to where you are going. I can not forget the girl who took that jog almost 2 years ago, who couldn't run 500 meters, who couldn't clear 12 minute mile.
But in less than 20 months I was able to change from that obese unhappy person to a marathoner, sometimes I still can’t believe. I have started to eat differently and mentally had to become a bit tougher, but for the most part I can contribute most of this to running. The physical changes are the most obvious. I am quite a bit smaller than I was…. approx 80 lbs, probably 90 lbs lighter when I ran the marathon. But physical changes aside…I feel better. I have more confidence. I am happier overall. I am a better friend and have a better attitude at work (well most of the time). I had thought that I should unfortunately just accept that this was how my life was going to be forever. Thankfully I realized that I was in control of the situation and made a big change. Look at my before and after:
Here is a picture of me at my favorite bar the Pub a few years ago, and is of me TODAY at work! I hope the difference is pretty obvious.
Unfortunately it took me 26 years to realize how running can change your life. But later is better than never. Although, I feel that I can not sit back and just be happy for my accomplishments. It is time to pay it forward. I have signed up to run the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 9th, 2011. But I will not be just a regular runner hoping just to finish or to set a PR; I will be a charity runner for Girls on the Run Solemates.
Girls on the Run is an international non-profit program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. My hope is that it does not take young girls as long as it took me to realize their full potential in life. We all know that childhood obesity, bullying, and other issues continue to plague young girls, and I can not wait to run in honor of an organization that helps teach young girls self confidence and a healthy lifestyle to avoid these issues. The money that I am raising will help fund an entire Girls on the Run program for one school in the Chicagoland entry into the end of the year 5k in November. So please see my donations page below:
and here is the link for Girls on The Run website for more information on this wonderful organization:
Any amount of help you can contribute would be greatly appreciated. I am so blessed to have the support I have had over the last two years, please help me pay it forward! My first marathon may have been to help prove to myself that I could do it, but my second one will be for a much better cause!
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