I started running in 1999.. (sort of).....I was the worst runner ever!!
I
remember competing in a 5 mile run in Kentucky...keep in mind I had never run a block! I thought because I had been doing the elliptical and step aerobics for many months that it had to be the same thing.
Well it's not!
To me running is much harder...in fact it's the hardest form of cardiovascular exercise ever!
I wore the wrong shoes, had blisters for weeks, started off extremely fast out of the gate, didn't eat a bite before I ran, and had to be picked up with the Emergency golf cart because I couldn't make it to the finish line. Worst experience ever!
But that experience made me want to be a runner!
So when I moved to Florida in 2000...I was determined to start running.
I started running literally a block at a time and then I would walk a block...I did this for maybe 30 minutes at a time 3-4 days a week. I did the old school circuit/nautilus type machines on opposing days. I did this for about a 7-8 months. Finally I could run for about a mile without stopping. It was hard and sometimes my side would still hurt but I kept going.
Then I signed up for my first 5k...which is 3.1 miles. I trained for many months before....because 3 is much harder than 1. So I would run for a mile which took me 11-13 minutes...then I would walk a minute until I got to 3 miles.
The 5k was on the beach and sand for me is very different to run on. Much more difficult!
But I finished! And it was a great feeling....I had been running at this time for maybe 10 months.
So as I was leaving the race with my race shirt and my number that I was sooo proud of...someone stopped me and said mam I think they are looking for you...I was so confused...who? Who's looking for me?
The judges!
You know why? Because I had won my age group! That's right I beat out 2 whole people! Haha! And I won a trophy!!
Well I was hooked now! I was ready to do more and more 5k...maybe even a 5 mile race....and my love for running began!
