I'm a runner...

Today, on my run, it occurred to me.  

I'm a runner.  

Wait. What?

Weird, right?  I never would have thought that of myself.  Seriously!  I've been running for about a year a half, closing in on two years.  It started with walking.  Lots of walking.  Then, slowly, working my way up on the treadmill to add some running.  Then, setting some goals for myself and beginning to run outside.  I've gotten to a point that a normal everyday run is about 2 to 2.5 miles.  This may not seem like a 'runner' to you.  But,

I am a runner.

I run slow.

I run long.

I push myself to leave my house, my work, my hotel to run.

I run.

I ran today and had a personal best time.  1 mile in 11 minutes, 38 seconds.  Whew!  That is not a fast mile.  But...it's the fastest one I've ever run.

I had a running goal this year to run 500 miles.  At last count, I am be nearing 140 miles on the year.  I'll adjust my goal to be 200 miles this year.  This year I learned that I can push my body so hard that eventually, my body will trump my mind and will no longer agree to run.  I learned what it feels like to be dehydrated.  I learned what it feels like to run when it's hot, when it's cold, when it's windy.  Uphill.  Downhill.  Straightaway.  I learned what it feels like to be left behind (see, slow).  I learned what it's like to accomplish a goal (first 5K).

I am a runner.

I've learned that I like running.  Running gets me away from my family, away from the stress I put on myself, off of my couch or butt.  Running gives me the energy I need to continue the rest of the day and tires me out enough to sleep deeply and soundly on an almost nightly basis.

I am a runner.

When I first started losing weight, my goal was to be able to run 30 minutes a day.  I actually do this now.  I need to find a new goal now.  I am a little frightened of the half marathon.  I may decide to train for a 10 K first.  Or, I may kick that "fright" in the mouth and start training for a half marathon.  I'm not sure yet.  I'll figure it out because,

I am a runner.

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I was inspired a couple of years ago by this girl.  Greta here was running (please read this sentence in Forest Gump's voice - that's how I hear it in my head).  She ran so many 5K's that my head was literally spinning while reading about her. She ran 13 5K's one year.  She's run half marathons.  She has four kids (oh yeah - you read that right - 4).  And yet, she still has found time to run.  What excuse did I have?  2 kids?  A helpful supportive husband?  All I really needed was some better fitting workout clothes since I'd just found my inspiration and had a direction for my motivation.

I had the pleasure of meeting Greta a little more than a week ago.  She and I found quite a bit in common, as we sat and chatted for about 2 and half hours.  And we didn't talk about running.  Funny.  I guess I can look forward to her inspiring me even more with running, among many other things.

P.s. Thank you Greta for suggesting the picture, because I totally would have forgotten and then been angry at myself on the way home for forgetting.  And thank you Tony for taking the pictures.