My story of running!..So far :)

I can't tell you how excited I was in this picture!!

If someone would have told me a year ago that I would become a runner, I probably would have just laughed and said, "YEAH RIGHT". Whenever I was told I had to run in elementary, jr. high, or high school, or in cheer I would dread it. DREAD. I hated the word "running". Running was neeeeveeer something I thought I could do for fun. I just thought it wasn't in the cards for me. There have been no runners in my family. We have bad knees... blah blah such and such.

During and after high school I was getting a little chubby. My pants were getting harder and tighter to put on, I had big love handles, and my arms and face were a little bigger also. I wasn't at the healthiest part of my life either. I didn't feel cute and that really brings down confidence and self esteem.

AND THEN

I met Corbin.
<3 <3 <3
THEN

I met Melissa my mother-in-love.

She is a full. on. runner.
Marathons, Halfs, Triathalons, 10s and 5s... everything. Any race at any time, swimming-running-biking- she'll do it.

I started going to the gym every morning with her before work and taking the fun classes!

 During winter, she would run on the dreadmills... So.. I thought I would try it out. I sucked. I couldn't run 5 minutes without running out of breath and stopping. It was hard to tell myself to keep going. I would tell myself to just stop cause I sucked and I could never run like her! I had to stop thinking that way and stop being a baby and just keep trying. So I did. I was always asking her questions on how to get better and she would give me such great tips! I was able to get to around 2 or 3 miles. With stopping.

Once I got engaged, of course I was gonna try even harder to look good for my Corbin and my wedding!
 That was my motivation.
And I did.. I worked harder.

I would stop doing the classes and jump on the treadmill instead. And started to like it, just a little, cause I was improving.. just a little.
I really was trying my best and after a while I was able to run to around 4 miles.. with less stopping.
I would eat healthier, make sure I got my protien in and get good sleep.

My wedding rolled around and I had lost some weight!

I felt good about it. :) I was happy. Corbin was proud of me and I felt really good in my wedding dress!!

After we got married I would occasionally go to the gym. I didn't go every morning anymore cause I got kinda busy with my new life!

My sister Kayla started Weight Watchers and lost 60 pounds!!! She looks SO good!! She also inspired me to stay healthy. She learned how to still eat whatever you want and still lose. She taught me a little bit about it and I would get excited to try it but.. I didn't keep up on it. I already love fruits and veggies so I would just eat smaller portions or just.. healthier. She now works for WW so she can stay on it herself and help other people! I'm really proud of her!

Beginning of 2012 I started going to the gym more since I had been slacking big time. We only have one car so when Corbin would go to work Chlo and I would walk down the street to the gym.. it's just a room with workout equipment and a gated area for kids to play and watch cartoons. Chlo loved playing in the gate so it worked out for me! I would do my workout and after we would go to the park so Chlo could play and "get her work out just like mommy!"

I was able to get to 5 miles! I would try to get the the gym at least 3 times a week.

I started seeing results!!

I found the coolest app/website for running. MapMyRun. It changed my life! Well, not really.. but it motivated me to keep running cause I can log my workouts and it would keep track of how many miles, calories, pace and all that good stuff!

Corbin is also a good runner and would go running sometimes when he got home. Him and his mom found out about the Marine Corps Marathon. Of course Melissa really wanted to do this race and how awesome would it be to go with her Marine son?!! She told him about it and he was of course down!I am so excited for them!! That will be such a great experience for them both.
So his training began....
Corbin got a training schedual so he could prepare himself for the crazy 26.2 miles. Holy crapola. That is a lot. But he could do it! He is pretty much good at everything he puts his mind to!

So.. a couple months ago, he started running a lot. So.. of course.. He inspired me and I wanted to run a lot too. After he would go running, I would go after him. I learned that OUTSIDE running is SO MUCH better then the dang treadmill. Which, made me enjoy it tooons more. I started looking up 5K's and 10K's to try out. See if I liked the racing life.. see if I could get into it.

A few months ago, Corbin told me there is a half marathon in September and his mom is gonna come out and they are gonna run it together! I was exited I could be there and watch them at the finish line!

Then.. the more I thought about it.. the more I really, really, just wanted to do it too. I was jealous I couldn't run like them. I had been trying so hard and I wasn't ready for a half. That was crazy talk for me. But the more I ran, I kept telling myself I could do it. So I told Corbin I wanted to run it too and that I was gonna train and do the best I can to prepare myself for the 13.1 miles. Holy crap, again. That's still a lot. BUT I was dedicated.

I set a goal, Corbin told me the best thing to do is start a training plan.. I looked up half marathon training for beginners and started training it up the next couple months!!



During the weeks I have to run up to 3-6 miles 4 days of the week. One rest day and one cross training day. Then every Saturday is my long run train. It started out at 6 the next Sat was 7, then 8, 9, 10 and so on. It was hard on the Saturdays for the 6 and 7 miles. But the longer runs on the next Saturdays were a breeze!!!! Can you believe that? It's hard for me to believe it still.
Training plans REALLY WORK. I love it. I love that I can run long runs and stop only a couple times.. or sometimes make myself stop to prevent injury. And enjoy the run at the same time.

I worked very hard on my training and a week before the half marathon I definitely felt I was ready! I was so excited I could hardly stand it!

Corbin took this pic to show me I was looking fit. This was while we were moving!

 

Corbin and I had just sat down from such an exhausting day of long runs and non-stop business. This was funny cause all we could do was just sit there and do nothing. I could barely hold the Fiber One box to snack on...of course we were so tired it was funny! It was a "had to be there moment"

 

 

Corbin was so cute. While I was on a run he would get my water and my protien drink all ready to go! It's the little things <3

 

I made a whole blog about my race Click Here to view!!

After my race, I have never felt so healthy in my life!! I have never felt so good about myself and most importantly I proved to myself I could do it.


Running is the most challenging, and yet most rewarding thing I have ever done. It has taught me that I can do anything I put my mind to and that even though it might not always be easy, it's always worth it. Always! It's taught me to push myself beyond where I ever thought I could go and to believe in myself. It has helped me to appreciate my body and health all the more and to not take anything for granted. And so far, I haven't regretted it... who ever regrets working out?! No body ever.

 

THANK YOU to:

My Heavenly father, without him, I would not be where I am today. I pray everynight to help me through it all and he definitely answers my prayers. Always. I could never thank him enough.

 Melissa for inspiring me in the first place... If it wasn't for her, I would have never started on that dang treadmill or going to the gym in the mornings. For being my buddy every morning. For all the tips. For anwering my phone calls and questions about my injuries and what to do next! For surprising me with the right running shoes I desperately needed. To being there for my first race and running the last tough mile with me! To pretty much getting me alllll started!
For also inspiring me to BLOG!! Again, if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be blogging. And you wouldn't be reading this.

My amazing husband for helping me through my bad runs (sometimes he would go with me and helped me mentally cause I would freak myself out listening to my horrible breathing). For always telling me I can do it. For also giving me lots of tips. For having the Marine mind of never quitting which has definitely rubbed off onto me :) For his example of running all the time. For always reminding me to hydrate.. drinking tons and tons and tons of water alllll the time. For popping my runner blisters (ick). For taking care of me after the long runs and I just wanted to lay there and hurt and cry a few times. For always telling me he is so proud of all my hard work. And for what every wifey wants to hear.. For all the compliments!!!

My sister Kayla for staying strong in her goal to lose weight and losing 60+ pounds! For showing me how to grocery shop healthy and just little tips and tricks to eat healthy overall. For her example!

For my mom for ALWAYS saying she's so proud of me!! Always believing in me.

And for my little Stinker butt Chlo! During the times at the gym she will always come up in front of my treadmill and cheer me on! "Go mommy! Go mommy! Go mommy! You can do it! Yay good job!" etc...
That right there is seriously some good encouragement for me. Seeing my daughter watch me run and knowing I can do it. Being a great example to her and showing her to exercise makes me happy!

I love you all and I hope to inspire someone someday too!!!

.......Drumroll.......

I have lost 23 pounds since before my wedding last year!!!!
Yeah.. it's taken a little over a year but I just had to keep trying and trying and seeing results slowly but surely. Man, does it feel good.
I love my body. I am smaller then highschool. I love that I'm able to say that.
Why couldn't I have figured it out then?!
The secret is : RUN
Just run.