For the Love of Running

About 13-14 years ago, we were with friends and their family drinking beer and eating delicious food when someone said they were running a race the next morning. They asked Josh and me to join them and I knew there was no way I was going to be able to get up early enough while most likely nursing a hangover so i nixed it. Fast forward a few months after that night and there I am in 32 degree weather in pouring rain running a 5k I didn’t train or sign up for while Josh competed in the mini triathlon. I remember seeing an older man ahead of me and I knew I had to pass him. For 3.1 miles I never let him out of my sight and with maybe a quarter of a mile left, I ran passed him. After the race that man and I found each other and we both laughed because we made each other our pacers. I was 28 years old and working to keep up with a man in his 60s or 70s.

One thing I knew after that race - I was hooked.

I had run during high school and through undergraduate school but once I started grad school - well. So, I started off by making small goals. Running from light post to light post and then corner to corner next thing I knew I was running 3 miles easily. Then I got pregnant with our first baby. My doctor was conservative and wanted me to stop running. Since it was my first and I knew nothing, I listened to his advice. I did walk 3-4 miles daily up until I was 34 weeks.

I had a C-section with my first baby and things didn’t go as planned and recovery was quite a bit longer than I hoped but I started running 3-4 months postpartum.

I ran 3-4 miles about 3 days a week until I got my pregnant with my second baby. I ran a race and I remember feeling absolutely exhausted. I didn’t know I was pregnant and I was probably 4-5 weeks when I ran that race but I remember feeling absolutely gassed. My doctor told me that since I was a runner prior to being pregnant I was good to continue running. So I did. Until I was 6 weeks pregnant. I had some minor complications but my doc told me to stop running. Given that it was for my baby it didn’t feel like I was giving up a lot, plus I was beyond exhausted creating a life while chasing a 2 year old and working full-time. I continued to walk regularly but my recovery from my second c-section was much different than my first. I was back to running within 8 weeks and I was thrilled!

in the summer of 2014, I tried signing up for the Nike half marathon in San Francisco. I was pretty devastated when I didn’t get selected through their lottery system. It worked out for the best though because during one of my runs, I partially toward my quad muscle. It was a random fluke accident with a kid learning to ride a bike downhill that collided with me. I continued to train for a half after I recovered and finished my first in November 2014.

I began signing up for 5k and 10k races but I still had the Nike half in my sight. Well, I was able to get my way into the Nike half in 2015. I trained my ass off. I did hill repeats and NEVER missed a run. Still, nothing I did prepared me for this half. My mom came with me and I’m so glad she did. She was so influential during my training from watching the babies while I did my long runs and encouraging me to reach my goals. So when my alarm went off at 4:30 in the morning and we walked down to the starting corral, I felt nerves I never felt before. I felt the hum of 26k runners. I knew I wasn't setting any records. The high I felt from being around all the other runners was impossible to deny.

I ran. I ran my hardest. I ran my best. I ran with my heart. I was inspired by the other runners. The spectators. The performers on every street corner. When I finished I was so happy to see my mom and husband at the finish line that it didn’t matter I received a Tiffany and Co. necklace. I finished for me and they were there for me.

That was my second half marathon. I have since completed 4 more after that. Each one with its own memory.

Once I finished the Livermore Half Marathon in 2017, I decided to run a full marathon but with increasing my mileage, not properly stretching and trying to manage life with two kids and two full-time working parents, I ended up with stress fractures up and down my tibia that was on the verge of being a break. The doctor told me I had to stop running, lifting and spinning. The only activity I could do was swim and short walks!!!! I wanted to cry, I did cry, it felt like the end of the world. I saw that full marathon vanish from my mind.

Well, I signed us up at our local gym that had a lap pool, went to Dick's to buy goggles and my first Speedo swimsuit and swim cap. The next day, I jumped in the pool and attempted my first lap. Holy crap! I jumped in thinking I could use the same effort in running in the pool and was I WRONG! There was an older man, probably in his late 70s, who spoke to me after my measly 30 minute swim. He said, "You're a runner." It wasn't a question. It was a statement. Through my gasps, I said "yes". He then replied, "You're injured". Again, not a question but a statement. I'm about to pass out and managed to utter "yes". He then proceeded to share with me that he sees a lot of injured runners in the pool who think they can use the same exertion in running in swimming and it's not the same. Well -DUH! I laughed and said, I can see that the two are very different and it'll be a learning curve for me as I rehab my injury. Every morning, 4-5 times a week, for 8 weeks, we saw each other and he would give me advice on form, breathing and other life lessons in between. He was a collegiate swimmer who provided me much needed praise when I made progress. When the family and I went on vacation, he was worried about me when he didn't see me. He became a constant I didn't know I needed but was necessary during this difficult time. Once work started up again, I didn't go in the mornings to swim and I have never see him since - but he will never be forgotten.

The last few years, I have had ups and downs with my fitness. I always put being a mother first before all other things - judge me if you want but this is my conscientious choice and I have no regrets.

When COVID hit, I went from being very active to being glued to my chair several hours a day. Well, a few months ago, I saw that the Boston marathon created a virtual marathon with no QUALIFYING times! Well, I signed up. The hubby had me sign him up as well. This was my opportunity to say I ran the Boston without having to run an unattainable qualifying time. I'll keep you posted. I'm behind with training due to work but now that summer has begun, training is a priority.

My mom, the amazing and caring woman she is, decided to use my old running/racing shirts to create a quilt for me. The quilt is beautiful. It's perfect. She tried to keep the dates and and names of the race and I am beyond pleased with how it came out. I want to put it out for all to see but at the same time I don't it get ruined by dust, dog fur or snags.

I miss running regularly. I miss running races and crossing the finish line. I miss the high of running. I miss waking at ridiculously early hours to run ridiculously long miles. I am optimistic I can make running a priority. I hope to share more about my running experiences/adventures with you all.

Stay posted!!!