Pavement Runner is becoming my favorite running person to follow on twitter, instagram and his blog.
He is funny, insightful and runs A TON!
I saw his post inspired by Miss Zippy and I KNEW I had to join in the fun!
So here is my 2013 in running!
Enjoy!
Best race experience?
This one is easy. This year I did
my first marathon. Yeah, I said first….of many, I hope. The sense of accomplishment and pride I feel
from that one experience still flows through me. Before I ran this race, a friend told me that
a marathon is a “life-changer”. So true!
Because of the marathon I got a renewed sense of “I can”! I was even chosen as a Spotlight Runner for the
local news station. But more
importantly, the support I received from my family and friends was BEYOND my
expectation. You know what is a
life-changer? Someone you love and
respect telling you that you’re magnificent
or someone telling you that you look beautiful after you just ran 16.5
miles. Those moments are
life-changers. Read about the best day of my life here. OR see my Spotlight from KTLA!
Best run?
The first time I ran 20
miles. Training for the marathon was
really difficult. It’s like having a
second job. I trained with two other girls,
but they had similar paces and I was much slower so I spent a lot of time alone
and towards the end of those training runs often felt exhausted and
defeated. The day we did 16, I broke
down and said, “I don’t think I’m going to be able to finish.” Because I had
just spent the last 3 miserable miles trying to do the math in my head of how
fast I would need to go in order to make it.
AHHH, but the day we ran 20 miles.
I was exhausted, but not defeated! I was sore, but not broken. I almost wanted to keep going, just to prove
I could. That day, was the day I KNEW I
could run a marathon. You can read about
that day here.
Best new piece of gear?
I love all my gear, but haven’t
gotten much new EXCEPT a fabulous Flip Belt.
I saw these at the Surf City and thought they would be perfect for the
marathon. I bought one and then forgot to pack it (along with my hat and sports
bra). Luckily they had a booth at the
expo and now I have two! They perfect for running and biking when you need to
bring your phone and some cash (even tampons-sorry guys!)
Learn about them at www.flipbelt.com
Best piece of running advice I
received?
To stop calling myself slow. Yes, I am slower than my friends. Yes, I’m not breaking any tape or qualifying
for Boston, but I AM doing it. I’m not
slow, I’m pace challenged. Just kidding.
I am allowed to discuss my pace when necessary, however, I no longer
call myself slow in a derogatory way.
Plus, I’m getting faster!
Most inspirational runner?
How do I chose, I spent the early
part of the year reading about runners like Matt Long, Scott Jurek and Ben
Davis. I run with incredibly strong,
kind and wonderful people. I have found people like Pavement Runner and Distant
Runners inspirational as well. Of all of
those, I think I will have to go with Devon Johnson from the Facebook page
Distant Runners (https://www.facebook.com/DistantRunners) and of her own blog www.devonintraining.blogspot.com
She is funny, kind and
approachable and her commitment to health and faith is something to
admire. Her recount of her Boston
experience is not to be missed.
If you could sum up your year in a couple of
words, what would it be?
This was the year I threw “can’t”
out the window and lived a life full of “can”.
This was the year I stopped telling myself I couldn't do things. I ran a marathon, I got an awesome new job and I got chosen to be an Ambassador for the San Francisco Marathon.
I'm living proof that you don't need to wait "until".
Your life is now, it's time to go out and live it AND don't say you can't. There are very few things we "can't" do. We can accept the things we won't do or can't do YET.
2014 will be another year of "I Can"!
